Stress is an unavoidable part of daily life for many. Economic uncertainty, political unrest, workplace pressures and unresolved trauma contribute to the chronic strain on individuals and communities. This ongoing toll fuels burnout, strains relationships and costs the global economy billions.

Systemic, historical and social factors disproportionately contribute to stress among African Americans, resulting in significant mental health disparities. Research from Columbia University indicates Black adults are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health issues, such as major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

The Well Collective, founded by Ashley Williams, aims to restore well-being through education and community. She believes holistic health and wellness are key to addressing health disparities within the Black community. 

Williams, who arrived in Richmond in 2010 to work at the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, experienced a profound loss in 2013 when her aunt died.

Her journey to combat grief and loss led her to holistic options. She learned tools for health and well-being that she believed could benefit others and inspired her to found The Well Collective.

Richmond, once the epicenter of America’s economic growth through the slave trade, holds a deep significance for Williams.

She views this pivotal history as sacred ground for healing the American story. This belief lies at the heart of The Well Collective’s mission, which focuses on community leaders, educators and grassroots workers by offering programming and training on resilience to foster healing and wellness.

In 2019, Williams joined Leadership Metro Richmond, a community leadership development organization, where she met her fiancé. Both sought to understand Richmond’s challenges and how to address them. Their shared commitment to serving the community quickly sparked a close friendship, which soon blossomed into romance. They are planning an intimate wedding in the coming months, followed by a friends-and-family celebration this fall.

Williams has a passion for creating inviting spaces. Recently, she teamed up with an interior designer to transform her home into a retreat-like sanctuary. She chose warm, cozy colors for the walls and filled the space with plants, books and artwork to create a calming and restorative atmosphere.

Meet an holistic wellness educator who loves art, adventure, finding new restaurants and travel, and this week’s Personality, Ashley Williams:

Date and place of birth: Sept. 4 in Tacoma Park, Md.

Where I live now: Church Hill.

Education: Bachelor’s in psychology, UVA; master’s in yoga therapy, Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Family: Mother, Wanda Bennett Williams; father, Franklin Williams; sister, Briana Williams; fiance, Brelan Hillman.

TWC is: A nonprofit focused on restoring well-being through education and community.

Mission: The Well Collective transforms the health and well-being of our community by making healing-centered practices accessible to all. We create inclusive and welcoming spaces where everyone belongs and thrives, and we envision a world where holistic wellness is a universal right, not a privilege.

Brief history: The Well Collective was born out of a decade-long movement in Richmond rooted in making wellness accessible and relevant to Black and brown communities. After operating under BareSOUL Wellness, we transitioned to The Well Collective in 2021 to broaden our impact, deepen our commitment to collective healing, and create spaces that bring people of all backgrounds and experiences together.

Why the name: The name symbolizes a source of nourishment and replenishment and an active invitation for individuals, communities and organizations that strive to re-imagine and create a world in which everyone is well to intentionally act together.

“The Well” reflects a sacred space where people can return to themselves and each other to heal, grow, and rise together. It honors ancestral gathering practices at the well to share stories, wisdom and water — life itself.

How we are funded: TWC is a 501c(3) non-profit organization supported through individual donations, grant funding and partnerships with foundations and organizations aligned with our mission.

Well Collective programs: Our programs support well-being and civic action by nurturing the leadership, well-being and voices of youth, caregivers, teachers, artists, and elders—often doing the quiet work of holding communities together. We offer community wellness classes that include yoga meditation, youth and adult leadership development programs and fellowships, educational training, restorative practice programs, healing arts services and professional development for organizations. These programs allow people to reimagine what’s possible and create solutions together. For example, we’ve trained youths to lead mindfulness practices in their schools and neighborhoods. We also offer spaces for city workers and community organizers to rest and restore because when people are well, they are more equipped to sustain the work of impactful change.

Main goal of TWC: Securing $4 million for Phase 1 to establish The Well Center for Healing and Humanity, a multicultural, intergenerational education and retreat center that will be a dedicated space for healing, learning, and community building in the heart of Richmond. The project involves the preservation of the historic Branch Building and the revitalization of downtown Richmond through sustainable development and programming to be a local and global destination site for those seeking communities of care, practice and education.

Strategy to achieve Phase 1: We’re building a broad base of support from foundations, major donors, and the community— sharing our vision, telling our story, and inviting others into the work.

Main challenge for TWC: Even with 10 years of community impact, our status as a newer, primarily grassroots organization makes it challenging to secure funding from larger foundations. 

Funding will support building capacity to scale our staff roster, expand youth and adult development programs, build community wellness resources and support the operational expenses to serve more people.

How TWC has impacted lives: I’ve seen teens discover their power and voice through mindfulness. I’ve seen adults cry during group programming because it was the first time they felt safe to let go. I’ve watched city leaders embrace rest as a strategy for sustainable leadership and healthy workplaces.

How to get involved with TWC: Visit our website, thewellcollective.org to sign up for our newsletter, attend a class, volunteer or sponser a class, volunteer or sponsor a program. To discuss programs, partnerships and donor opportunities, please email us: meet@thewellcollectivespace.space. Follow us on instagram.

Mental wellness and Richmond: With the complex history of Richmond, it is essential to note that mental wellness is public health and public safety. In a city working to heal from systemic injustice, shared spaces that involve storytelling, self-awareness and community care are essential strategies for transformation and equity.

Upcoming events: In addition to our regularly scheduled educational programs, group classes, and trainings, we do monthly tours at the Branch Building every first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. We’re having a Community Wellness Block Party, Wednesday, May 28, 4 to 7 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. Our Nourish Dinner: A Community Dinner and Fundraiser will be at The Well Collective, Saturday, June 21, at 5:30 p.m.

How I start the day: I start with silence, prayer and, most mornings, gentle movement.

Three words that best describe me: Grounded, visionary and joyful.

Dream dinner party guest: Maya Angelou, because her presence carries the wisdom, grace and fire that have shaped generations. As an ancestor, her insight, experience and wisdom continue to transform lives.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I earned my boating license in 2021 and take the boat out on the James River because it’s healing for me.

Inspirational quote: “When you get to where you are going, don’t forget where you came from–it was God that brought you a mighty long way” by the Rev. Joseph D. Morrison of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Hopewell.

Most influential person: My Aunt Josephine Senora Bennett.

Most influential book: “All About Love,” by bell hooks reminded me that love is an action, not a feeling.

My current read: “We Were Made For These Times: 10 Lessons for Moving Through Change Loss and Disruption,” by Kaira Jewel Lingo. My main takeaway is that times of darkness hold the power and potential for profound transformation, and the time for change is always now.

Next goal: To revitalize the historic Branch Building located in the Main Street Historic Financial District to be The Well Center for Healing and Humanity, a destination site and model for healing-centered, people-first spaces that intersect the acknowledgment of history and the purpose of healing through arts and culture, social engagement, education, wellness and economic opportunities for our local and global community.