My Journey

Every journey begins with something small.

Sometimes it begins with creativity. Sometimes it begins with struggle. Sometimes it begins with the quiet realization that what you need does not yet exist—and perhaps you are being called to create it.

My journey began with creativity.

From an early age, I learned how to sew, design, and create. Fashion, jewelry, and artistic expression became more than hobbies—they became language. They became a way for me to express culture, confidence, identity, and imagination.

As that passion grew, so did opportunities to create for others through costume design, artistic collaboration, and spaces where storytelling through singing and cultural expression could thrive.

But creativity was only one part of the journey.

Alongside artistry came struggle.

Since childhood, I lived with extremely sensitive skin—dry, cracked hands and feet that often reacted painfully to everyday products. For years, I searched for answers, experimenting, learning, and trying to understand how to care for a body that often felt like it required something different.

Then came chronic pain.

Years of knee pain eventually led to knee replacement and difficult decisions about how to manage pain while navigating the long-term realities that often come with medication and physical limitations.

Those experiences changed me.

What began as a search for relief slowly became a search for understanding.

That search eventually led me toward botanical ingredients, traditional remedies, natural wellness, and learning how plants, ritual, education, and intentional care could support healing.

But perhaps the greatest lesson came through community.

My life was being shaped not only through creativity, but through education, labor organizing, advocacy, outreach, leadership, supporting women and families during crisis, and creating spaces where people could feel supported and empowered.

Those experiences taught me something powerful.

Healing rarely happens alone.

Communities matter. Education matters. Support matters. Being seen matters.

As a tall Black woman navigating spaces where visibility often came before understanding, I learned that confidence is something you build.

You build it through knowledge. You build it through community. You build it through creativity. You build it through learning how to honor who you are.

From these experiences, CVango Creations and Queen Mother’s Body Remedies were born.

Not simply as businesses.

But as extensions of a philosophy.

A philosophy rooted in creativity, education, wellness, advocacy, cultural expression, and community care.

Today, this work continues through botanical wellness, creative design, education, outreach, collaboration, and the creation of spaces where people can learn, heal, create, and thrive together.

Because this was never simply about products.

It has always been about people.

It has always been about community.

It has always been about creating spaces where others feel empowered to step fully into who they are.

Step into the ritual. Step into your creativity. Step into your power. Step into your royal expression.

Because somewhere along the journey, I realized something.

None of us were meant to carry everything alone—not the healing, not the struggle, not the learning, and not the rebuilding.

Many of us are still healing, still learning, still rebuilding, still becoming.

The Village Circle was created with one simple belief:

You do not need to arrive perfect. You do not need to have all the answers. You do not need to have everything figured out.

You simply need a willingness to learn, connect, grow, and support one another.

Whether you are searching for healing, education, creativity, wellness, advocacy, community, or simply a place where you feel seen—

There is space for you here.

Because stronger communities are built when people choose to rebuild together.

We invite you to become part of The Village Circle.

Learn with us. Create with us. Heal with us. Build with us.

Vanessa Brooks, Founder/Creator,

Age 6