Janae Ponder, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker based in Deltona, Florida, with licenses in Florida, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. She is the founder of Life-Spire Counseling Services, LLC, a thriving mental health practice, and leads Life-Spire Community Services, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to closing mental health gaps in West Volusia County through free and reduced-cost services, therapist training, and advocacy.
Janae is a dynamic clinician, speaker, and community builder passionate about making mental health accessible and relatable. She is the creator of Tuesday Talks with Janae, a discussion series on grief, trauma, relationships, and emotional wellness, and co-facilitates Therapy Tuesdays, a faith-rooted series connecting mental health and spirituality. Her creative work includes Coloring Books for the Soul and 100 Bold Affirmations to Calm Your Fears, with companion journals.
For her February 19 talk, “Black People Smile – The Radical Intelligence of Black Joy,” Janae will explore the transformative power of joy in Black communities, highlighting resilience, healing, and cultural strength. Through her work, she continues to build spaces where people feel seen, safe, and inspired to grow.
FREE Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4UDrhLjqTgCIzkR_Pjs93g