Where Womxn of Colour Connect, Heal and Expand
The Villij is a wellness community helping womxn of colour nurture their well-being at home, work and in their communities.
We Exist to Build Healthy, Equitable Communities
Our mission is to encourage and support the mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial advancement of womxn of colour.
Become a MemberOur Story
Committed to redefining well-being for themselves, Kim Knight and Shanelle McKenzie founded The Villij as a wellness community for womxn of colour to feel seen and heard. Most importantly, they created a space for womxn of colour to show up as their true self.
Through The Villij, the womxn have found their purpose. Kim and Shanelle continue to lead a new wave of wellness that fosters inclusion, health and well-being.
The Values That Drive Us
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Creating conditions for fair access and participation to health and wellness resources.
Community
Building an environment of a shared sense of belonging.
EDUCATION
Offering empowered education to help womxn make better decisions related to their well-being.
It Takes a Villij
Meet our team of wellness visionaries
Kim Knight
Co-Founder &
Head of Strategy
Our lead visionary and strategist, Kim is a passionate homemaker. She invests in herself by setting boundaries and investing in supportive, reciprocal relationships.
Shanelle McKenzie
Co-Founder &
Director of Community
The ultimate homegirl. Shanelle ensures that we offer the best experiences to our community. Her wellness practices include listening to music, going for walks and lighting a candle.
Latonya Greaves
Mental Health &
Trauma Specialist
Spiritual and compassionate, Latonya loves journaling, essential oils and her daily Jesus time. As a mental health specialist, she strives to be well in mind, body and spirit.
Tamara Alleyne
Project
Manager
Introspective and thoughtful, Tamara brings ideas to life. She ensures that Tamara enjoys yoga, running and eating whole foods with a side of her favorite sweets (because balance).
Tish Bird
Digital Marketing
Manager
Wellness isn’t ‘one size fits all’ for Tish. In her spare time, she is planning her next travel adventure, deciding which new bottle of vino to try or finding new ways to stay active.
Bissy Waariyo
Research Manager,
Health & Wellness
Bissy is all about building intentional relationships and centering womxn of colour’s wisdom. Her daily self-care practice includes gentle reminders to focus on her own desires – a concept she admits is still foreign to her.
Benita Kandathil
Social Media
Specialist
Invested in her journey to self-discovery, Benita is believes in the power of building relationships and community. She enjoys journaling, spending time with family, decorating and cooking as a way to feel grounded and whole.
Rini Sarmaroy
Partnerships
Manager
Rini believes in living in your authentic self while sharing our experiences in safe, nurturing and healing spaces. When she’s not working, she enjoys outdoor activities with her dog and trying new recipes at home.
Tatiyanna Williams-Britton
Digital Creative
Director
A genius visualizer. Tatiyanna enjoys creating visual representations of what it means to be well within communities of colour. Being present allows her to experience life in its essence, the joys, the tears and everything in between.
Faith Okeke
Copywriter
Faith is a natural storyteller and certified Vinyasa and Yin Yoga teacher. She believes wellness needs to be supportive, always - her favorite yoga prop? A blanket.