QueenAfi
Founder of Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags (DVWMT) Mental Health Consultant and Host for “The Abuser’s Side Education,” CC (AH'PHEE) was born in Washington, DC, to Henry and Altoria Gaston. She is the proud mother of three children, Juelz Gaston, James Stephens III, and (05.09.16). She is a graduate of the McKinley High School in Washington, DC, Class of ‘93. QueenAfi currently works for Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags (DVWMT), an educational resource for the prevention of domestic violence, nicknamed the school for domestic violence. Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from American Intercontinental University, Hoffman Illinois, Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, Capella University, Minneapolis Minnesota, and she is currently pursuing her PhD, Advanced Studies in Human Behavior, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota. QUEENAFI is also a mental health consultant, domestic violence expert/consultant, and talk show host for “The Abuser’s Side Education,” which educates on the warning signs of abusive personality from a female and male perspective. She is also an accomplished moderator for community events, a renowned blogger and a motivational speaker on issues of domestic violence and mental health. Given her passion to help and heal, she offers private in-person and phone sessions for individuals, groups, training staff, geared toward domestic violence education and recovery. Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags (DVWMT) is based in Southeast Washington, DC: Nick name “The School for Domestic Violence” In 2008, she founded the Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags (DVWMT) organization. DVWMT is a local non-profit serving as an educational and resource center for victims and abusers of domestic violence, in the mission of breaking the cycle and teaching pro-active methods of prevention. DVWMT is dedicated to restoring and preserving a stable family environment through educational services. QueenAfi spends her time introducing a new approach against domestic violence, not only to victims but also to abusers, and is inclusive of men, women, and teens. QueenAfi used her passion to sober the anger and frustration concerning her domestic violence trials and tribulations. DVWMT classroom offers community classroom sessions free and held monthly to bring fresh perspective and prevention strategies for ending domestic violence.
38 | rallyupmagazine.com | Summer 2020
RallyUp Magazine (RUM) was able to have a very heartfelt conversation with QueenAfi, a women of great strength. We apprecialte her willing to share... RUM: What effect did domestic violence have on your mental health, as both the victim and the abuser?
QueenAfi: I was approaching everything and everyone with emotionally unhealthy with no sense of remorse, as both, I thought, it’s my life to live and no one can stop or tell me anything pertaining to the abusive relationships that I found myself in. Mentally, I was drained trying to keep up as both and I was so unhealthy mentally, I decided I would kill, and I became homicidal along with postpartum depression because in one relationship I’d just had my oldest son. But today I am reminded by, “don't approach the problem being the problem, approach the problem being the solution.” ~QueenAfi RUM: During your personal fight to bring awareness to domestic violence in communities, you shared that you lost your daughter, Anaiona "Smiley-Nana" Gaston who was murdered due to the strongholds of domestic violence. Can you share what those strongholds were?
QueenAfi: The strongholds are the tags of domestic violence, verbal, emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse. I found my daughter caught up between verbal, emotional, and financial abuse. I personally witness my daughter suffering in wanting her ex to communicate healthy but instead he silenced her, I watch my daughter emotionally crumbling inside because the affection and emotional connection was now humiliation and name calling. Financially she had to supply her vehicle in order to
