Nevertheless, She persisted
Meet the CEO& Founder
Valon is the founder of Vitality Wellness Solutions PLLC. As a Black woman and clinician, she combines her experience and expertise to promote pleasure. Valon graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with Bachelor of Science degrees in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Children and Adolescents and African American Studies with a minor in Sociology. She is also a proud alumna of Howard University where she earned her Master of Social Work degree, which has afforded her the opportunity to work in areas of specialization, including child welfare, active duty and veteran military, mental health, professional sports, maternal health, and sexuality education. Valon obtained a certificate in Sexuality Education and Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan in 2019.
Her professional experiences include Child Welfare Permanency Social Worker, Mental Health Intensive Case Manager Social Worker for military veterans, Maternal Child Psychotherapist for military personnel and beneficiaries, Clinical Instructor and Clinical Program Manager. Valon works full-time as a sport social worker with the NFL Player Care Foundation whose mission is to improve the quality of life for former NFL players. Ms. Alford is passionate about helping people navigate and transcend systems while prioritizing their well-being. Valon is passionate about centering pleasure to empower women, especially related to Black women’s sexual and maternal health.
Valon is informed and competent, and most importantly, she is transparent and relatable. Valon injects her collaborations with practice wisdom, best practices, and humor. Showing up whole is a personal commitment that Valon practices to model self-care for community members, professionals, and organizations. As a Black woman clinician and sexologist, Valon often unpacks the nuance of intersectionality on mental, sexual, and maternal experiences of women of color. Valon has presented at the National Association of Social Workers conference, Dominican College, Howard University, National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations, the Coalition of Baltimore HIV Providers, the Association of Black Social Workers of Metropolitan Washington, DC.
Valon previously served as a consultant for the NC MATTERS (Making Access to Treatment, Evaluation, Resources, and Screening Better) program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which provides real-time perinatal psychiatric consultation, resources, and referrals for pregnant and postpartum patients throughout the state of North Carolina. In this capacity, she also helped to provide training and support to professionals, as well as clinical and patient navigation services for pregnant and postpartum women. At the time, Valon was the only Black woman clinician with the UNC Women’s Mood Disorders Clinic. In 2021, Valon contributed to the March of Dimes, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Birth Equity Collaborative’s Maternal HealthCARE (Collaborative to Advance Racial Equity) Initiative, “which aims to specifically advance equity in maternal health through hospital-based quality improvement activities.” In December 2021, Valon participated in the first-ever federal Maternal Day of Action with the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris’ Maternal Health Stakeholders group.
Valon is a dedicated social worker, and she served five years on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Social Workers, Metro DC Chapter from 2010-2015. She is licensed as a clinical social worker in North Carolina and the District of Columbia. She is also a Certified Sexuality Educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Additionally, Valon is licensed as a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional through Postpartum Support International.
Professional History
- Received 2 Letters of Accommodation from the Director of D.C. Child and Family Services Agency for Outstanding Quality Service Reviews, June 2012 & March 2013
- Named as an “Emerging Leader 2012” by the D.C. Metro Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
- Awarded “Student of the Year” by the D.C. Metro Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, 2011
- Perinatal Mental Health Professional Certificate, Postpartum Support International
Professional Licenses & Memberships
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Washington, D.C., license number LC50079900, expiration date 07/31/2023
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker, North Carolina License Number C011670, expiration date 08/10/2024
- Certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician (PMH-C), Postpartum Support International 2020
- Certified Sexuality Educator, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists,2021
