Whitley English deeply understands the transformative power of a strong community and support system. Yet, she also knows that true change begins within—through self-advocacy, self-empowerment, and perseverance. These values define her journey as a mother, healer, and Community Health Worker trained in trauma awareness and resilience skills. Whitley believes that compassion and determination are the essential threads that strengthen individuals and entire communities. As she puts it, “Community means working together for one cause—peace, healing, and unity.”
An Asheville native, Whitley is known as a community mover, advocating tirelessly for basic human rights such as housing, emotional support, and holistic healing. Inspired by her lived experiences, she works to provide the very resources she once lacked during her own recovery journey. Her story is one of survival and transformation: after enduring domestic violence and being failed by a broken system, Whitley found the strength to turn her pain into purpose. “I had to advocate for myself,” she shares. “I’ve turned my pain into my purpose, and I’m turning my purpose into my power.”
Turning Struggle into Change
Whitley’s advocacy is rooted in the understanding that a safe home is foundational to healing. Growing up in affordable housing, she spent over a decade at Deaverview Apartments, a public housing complex in Asheville. Witnessing the deterioration of her surroundings, she became determined to influence the future of affordable housing and ensure that communities are valued, supported, and uplifted. She joined the Reimagining Committee for Deaverview Apartments, actively contributing to plans for revitalization and community engagement.
Her efforts didn’t stop there. While living at Maple Crest, Whitley identified a critical need: engaging youth and creating safe spaces for healing. By then, she had established herself as a leader and collaborator, attending annual NeighborWorks Training events in Charlotte, San Francisco, and Baltimore with Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO). Through grants totaling $4,000 per year, she led educational workshops and community engagement projects.
Whitley’s first two events—a series of community cleanups—were designed to instill a sense of pride and empowerment among the youth. She incentivized participation with stipends and school supplies, but more importantly, she gave them a chance to care for their community. “If you’ve never been taught to care for something, you don’t know how,” Whitley explains. “Encouraging them to keep their community clean gives them a sense of pride and self-empowerment.” In total, she engaged over 80 youth and families across six events, giving each participant a certificate to honor their contribution.
WNC GEMS: Creating Healing Spaces
But Whitley’s journey didn’t stop there. Drawing from her lived experiences and deep passion for holistic wellness and spiritual healing, she founded WNC GEMS—Generating Empowerment through Mindful Solutions. WNC GEMS is a community-focused organization that empowers marginalized groups through education, resources, and support that promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
At the heart of WNC GEMS lies a belief in holistic healing—the nurturing of mind, body, and spirit. Through sound therapy, energy healing, mindfulness, and trauma education, the organization creates safe, inclusive spaces where individuals can reconnect with their inner strength and authentic selves. WNC GEMS fosters healing, growth, and connection, inspiring individuals to live healthier, safer, and more fulfilling lives.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Advocacy and Unity
So, what’s next?
Sitting under the trees at French Broad River Park on a sunny afternoon, Whitley reflects on the future and the changes she hopes to see. “We need more holistic services in this region,” she says thoughtfully. “More holistic services for both women and men so they aren’t left behind. I hope to continue being a holistic resource navigator because there are infinite possibilities ahead. I will keep teaching this community about advocacy and the power of coming together to use our own voices.”
For Whitley, advocacy is not just a role—it’s a calling. She believes that those who have endured pain and injustice are often the very people who lead transformative change. Her journey exemplifies the truth that victims must become the change-makers they wish to see in the world.
With unwavering resilience, Whitley English continues to advocate, empower, and heal—turning personal hardship into collective hope, and purpose into power.
