Tonesia Vaughn MA LPC NCC
Community Advocate | Washington High School | Class of 2001
Licensed Professional Counselor | Community Leader | Entrepreneur | Mental Health Advocate
A proud product of Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (USD 500), Tonesia “Toni” Vaughn is a proud Washington High School Wildcat, Class of 2001! She is a licensed professional counselor, nationally certified counselor, entrepreneur, and community leader whose life and career reflect her passion for helping others heal, grow, and recognize their potential.
Toni earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Langston University and her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Webster University. With more than 18 years of experience in the mental health field and over a decade of leadership experience, she has dedicated her career to advocating for mental wellness, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for healing in underserved communities.
She currently serves as the Director of Prevention and Intervention at AdHoc Group Against Crime, where she provides leadership in community-based violence prevention, intervention, trauma-informed care, and healing-centered services. In addition to her leadership role, Toni maintains a private therapy practice, providing mental health support to individuals navigating life's challenges.
Toni is also a licensed cosmetologist and the proud owner of The Hair Gallery Extension & Blow-Out Bar, a business she established in 2015. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects her belief that beauty, confidence, emotional wellness, and personal transformation can all play meaningful roles in helping individuals become the best versions of themselves.
Her professional journey and entrepreneurial accomplishments have been featured in CanvasRebel Magazine and VoyageKC Magazine, including two interviews with VoyageKC highlighting her work and contributions to the community. Toni has also received two nominations for the Kansas City People's Choice Awards, recognizing her work in the categories of Best Hairstylist and Best Therapist. These recognitions reflect her unique ability to make an impact across both the beauty and mental health industries.
A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Toni remains committed to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. Her passion for service extends beyond her professional roles and is deeply rooted in her belief that everyone deserves access to opportunities, support, and a chance to thrive.
As a first-generation college graduate who was raised by her grandparents, Toni understands firsthand the power of perseverance, education, faith, and community support. Her journey from the classrooms of USD 500 to becoming a therapist, business owner, and community leader serves as a reminder that where you begin does not determine how far you can go. She credits her upbringing and the community that helped shape her with instilling the values of hard work, resilience, and service that continue to guide her today.
Above all, Toni is a proud mother who remains committed to creating a legacy of love, healing, service, and opportunity for the next generation. She believes that true success is measured not only by personal accomplishments but also by the lives we touch, the doors we open for others, and the impact we leave behind.
Forever a girl from the Dotte, Toni is living proof that there are always Reasons 2 Believe.
Your support of the Reasons to Believe campaign helps us celebrate and uplift the outstanding individuals in our community while also providing vital scholarships and resources that empower students to achieve their dreams.
