Meet Caprice Nyen

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caprice Nyen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Caprice , thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?

I truly and humbly believe that everything happens for a reason. I know it’s a cliché statement, but it has proven especially true for me in my current state of affairs.

After more than 27 years working in the nonprofit human services field, I encountered yet another bump in the road. I had been serving as a director for two years in a Battering Intervention and Prevention Program when the organization made the decision to sunset the program due to funding restrictions.

Prior to that, I had been working toward developing social service programming to better serve the communities where I live and work, but I hadn’t experienced the level of success I had hoped for. At the time, I didn’t believe it was the right moment to confidently move forward with launching a nonprofit organization that would provide culturally affirming services for Black individuals and families.

However, I used the time leading up to the end of my tenure to plan, strategize, and take intentional steps forward. That period of uncertainty became a period of clarity and action.

In less than a year, Worthy Voices was formed. We secured our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, received accreditation from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–CJAD, and gained approval through the Travis County Executive Committee for our Voices of Change BIPP program.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

What I’m focused on right now is the continued growth and impact of Worthy Voices and the work we’re doing in the community. What excites me most is that we are not just talking about change, we are actively building it in ways that are culturally grounded and responsive to the real needs of the people we serve.

Through our Voices of Change program, we’ve been expanding both our reach and the depth of our services. We’ve moved vision into action, and one of our groups in Travis County is already operating at 100% capacity. That tells me the need is real, and more importantly, that people are willing to engage in the work of accountability, healing, and transformation when it’s presented in a way that truly speaks to them.

In addition to our direct services, we’ve been very intentional about showing up in the community through education and awareness. To date, we’ve provided over 30 hours of community outreach. One of the ways we’ve done that is through a creative fundraising initiative called “I’m Stoned,” where we offer fun, custom-painted stones. It’s been a unique way to start conversations, raise awareness, proceeds and bring people into the mission in a more accessible and engaging way.

The heart of Worthy Voices is deeply personal for me. The history of the organization and my own story are aligned through the lived experiences I carry, coming from a lineage of survivors of violence and generational trauma. That perspective fuels everything we do. Our mission is centered on bringing culturally relevant and affirming solutions to Black individuals, families, and communities who are too often left navigating cycles of harm without the support they truly need.

We are creating spaces for healing, advocacy, empowerment, and accountability, because all of those things have to exist together for real change to happen.

What I want people to know about Worthy Voices is that this is not just an organization, it’s a movement rooted in truth, lived experience, and a commitment to doing the work differently. And we’re just getting started.

We have plans of expansion for our programs and the organization. One way is within our programming where we want the Voices of Change program to also grow in the Bell/Coryell counties. We are currently working on a affinity group that centers the use of self expression with art along with psychoeducation topics on Healthy Relationships for Black Men. Also the organization is in strategic planning phase and we are welcoming others who align with our mission to join us. There are multiple ways to connect, serve and support such as volunteering with us, serving on one of our open Board of Director positions, fundraising efforts including donating to our cause or sharing our mission with others who may be in need of services.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my career, I can reflect on things that I currently use and that have been so helpful in my role of servitude, foremost among them being integrity. This is a value that I have always carried, one that was instilled in me through the influence of my parents. There are some qualities that are innate but can also be cultivated through experience and practice. I have also gained other skills over the years, such as communication, interpersonal abilities, and technical knowledge, all of which are definitely important. However, mentorship is incredibly valuable, and I would encourage others to seek out a mentor. Sometimes that takes specifically asking someone to mentor you, ideally someone you trust and whose values align with your own. This takes time, and truly getting to know someone first is key

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The most helpful has been people who tell me things in the ways that I need, at the time that I need it. For instance, my partner is very literal in his thinking and observant. He shares things with me honestly, with attention to doing so without harming me. His intentions are good, and he wants to see me improve. He is also very protective, so it helps me to be able to share these same skills with others whom I also desire to support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.worthyvoices.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580328063958
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/capricenyen76