We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shavon Ragsdale . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shavon below.
Shavon , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from my personal experiences as a single mother of three-my 17-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter , and my 4-year-old autistic and nonverbal daughter. Raising my children, each with their unique needs and challenges, has shaped me into someone who refuses to give up, even when the odds feel stacked against me. With a small support system, I’ve had to learn how to push through difficult moments, balancing motherhood, work, and community leadership with grace and grit.
My daughter’s autism journey has taught me patience and persistence, while raising my two other children has strengthened my ability to stay focused on long-term goals despite life’s day-to-day demands. Founding Village Against Violence has also given me so much purpose, as I channel these lessons into building a safer and more supportive community. My resilience comes from love, responsibility, and the determination to create a better future for my children and the people I serve.Regardless of the challenges that come along the way.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the CEO and founder of Village Against Violence, my work is personal. I’m a single mom of three kids—my oldest is 17, my middle child is 6, and my youngest is just 4. Balancing motherhood with running a nonprofit is tough, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every day, I feel grateful for the opportunity to help others, especially victims of violence, who often need the support we offer most.
One of my favorite programs is Hair We Go, where I partner with a local hair braider Daja Coleman from Coco’s Beauty. It’s not just about hair—it’s about giving kids a way to build confidence and express themselves. Our partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club and the Peter Paul Development Center allow us to reach even more youth, creating meaningful opportunities for connection and growth. I’m also proud of our Dazzling Dynasty Dance Team, which gives young people a creative outlet and a sense of belonging.
Our food pantry and free community closet are lifelines for families in need. Right now, everything in the closet is free, but one day, I hope to transition it into a low-cost thrift store to make it even more sustainable. It’s powerful to see how much relief families feel when they have access to the basics, like clothing and food, without extra stress.
We’ve got a lot to look forward to. I’m excited about our upcoming Halloween celebration, which will offer a safe and fun space for families. Our Thanksgiving dinner is another chance to come together in gratitude. And in partnership with Hobson Community Outreach and Toys for Tots, we’re planning a Christmas toy giveaway to make sure every child has something special this holiday season.
We also collaborate with the Trauma Healing Response Network to support people affected by violence, helping them heal emotionally and mentally. This work is close to my heart, and I’m grateful for the chance to provide meaningful help where it’s needed most.
At Village Against Violence, we’re more than just a nonprofit, we’re a family. My hope is that through these programs and partnerships, we can continue building a stronger, more connected community. I look forward to what’s ahead and the impact we’ll keep making together.
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, three qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey are resilience, relationship-building, and adaptability. Resilience has been essential, especially as a single mom and leader of a nonprofit. There have been many challenges along the way, but learning to push through tough moments has allowed me to stay focused on the bigger picture. For those just starting out, I’d say: embrace setbacks as part of the process. Every hurdle is a chance to grow and build the strength you’ll need for the road ahead.
Relationship-building has been equally important. None of the work I do would be possible without strong partnership, whether it’s with the Hobson Community Outreach Organization, Panera Bread Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, Toys for Tots, or local businesses like Coco’s Beauty. My advice here is to network intentionally and be genuine in your connections. Partnerships should be built on mutual respect and shared goals, not just convenience.
Adaptability has been a game-changer. The ability to pivot quickly, whether responding to community needs or adjusting plans when life throws curveball, has kept our programs running smoothly. My advice? Keep Pushing..Grind & Pray , is what I say. Be open to learning and don’t be afraid to shift directions if something isn’t working. Success isn’t always about sticking to a rigid plan but about being flexible enough to find new solutions along the way.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes! We are always looking for passionate people and organizations to partner or collaborate with. At Village Against Violence, we believe that strong partnerships create a bigger impact. We’re especially interested in connecting with local businesses, nonprofits, mental health professionals, educators, and community organizers who align with our mission of supporting victims of violence and creating access to essential resources.
We’d love to partner with hairstylists, barbers, and fitness instructors for our youth programs, as well as food distributors or grocery stores and clothing stores to support our pantry & community closet efforts. We are open to working with medical professionals through our partnership with STOP the Bleed to expand community health education.
If you’re passionate about community outreach, trauma healing, youth development, or fighting food insecurity, we’d love to hear from you. You can connect with us by emailing me at thevillagehelpers@gmail.com or calling 804-352-2487. Let’s work together to create a more supportive and connected community!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.villageagainstviolence.org
- Instagram: @villageagainstviolence
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVillageAgainstViolence?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Village against Violence
