Advance Behavioral Health Prevention California (ABHPC)

Emerging Professionals

The Emerging Professionals program is a vital part of ABHPC’s Prevention Pathways program, supporting individuals who are early in their prevention career. ABHPC partners the emerging professionals with mentors who have a seasoned and diverse knowledge base in the prevention field. Emerging professionals work with their mentors to hone their existing skills and gain experience as consultants in the prevention field. Emerging professionals create content and facilitate trainings independently and in conjunction with their mentors and other ABHPC consultants.

Accomplishments: All of our emerging professionals participated as leaders and facilitators in the 2025 Regionals Action Lab. The emerging professionals continue to provide high-quality professional competency trainings, community of practice sessions, and customized training and technical assistance to partners across California including Tribal communities, county leaders, higher education settings, and statewide conferences. The emerging professionals leverage their networks to build up the ABHPC program and the prevention workforce.

Join Us: If you are early in your prevention career and interested in growing your skills as a consultant and expanding your network, the Emerging Professionals program is a great place to start. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Olivia Shrago at oshrago@cars-rp.org.

Learn more about our emerging professionals below!

Brittney Sampson

(she/her)

Brittney Sampson is a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor. She works with At-risk youth, foster youth, and youth on probation and in the Butte County Juvenile hall. Brittney is the program coordinator for the statewide Youth Peer Mentor Program. She is certified Mindfulness-Based Substance Abuse Treatment (MBSAT) facilitator and currently facilitates YPMP groups with the MBSAT curriculum for youth in Shasta, Glenn, and Butte Counties and is also a Peer Mentor at YPMP Natural High Retreats. Brittney also works for the Butte County Public Defender Ronald A. Reed, a Juvenile Defense Lawyer, and is currently the Legal Secretary for Butte County’s Public Defender’s consortium Project Upstream.

    Heaven’Le James

    (she/her)

    Heaven’Le James is an inspiring 18-year-old entrepreneur and advocate dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices. With a passion for social justice, Heaven’Le serves as a Brand Ambassador for the Race and Gender Equality Project (RAGE) and has accrued over 200 hours as a youth facilitator, specializing in tobacco use prevention in local schools.

    Recognized with the Leadership & Excellence Award from Eagle Vision Community Development Corporation, she advocates for Black women’s rights and has spoken at the Capitol of Sacramento. Driven by creativity and a desire to make a difference, she actively participates in community initiatives, including hosting a body positivity art show. With a talent for brand management and event planning, Heaven’Le is committed to fostering growth and equity in all endeavors.

      Jason Strickler

      (he/him/el)

      Jason Strickler, M.A., is a Social Entrepreneur and Substance Use Prevention Coordinator from Sylmar, CA, in the San Fernando Valley. Dedicated to social change and youth empowerment, Strickler is the Chair of Rethinking Access to Marijuana (RAM) and a leader in the substance use prevention movement in Los Angeles County. He specializes in coalition coordination, fostering strategic relationships, and designing impactful programs for at-risk populations.

      With over a decade of experience across diverse industries, he brings valuable insights into cultivating and sustaining healthy organizational cultures. Strickler earned a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, where he distinguished himself as a top 3 finalist in the social enterprise fast pitch competition. He also holds a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism from California State University, Northridge.

      In his personal time, Jason enjoys reading, exploring music, tending to plants, and caring for his two beloved cats, Sniffles and Gravy.

        Paul Raymond Wolf Steele

        (he/him)

        Paul Raymond Wolf Steele is an individual with a rich and diverse background rooted in the Chiricahua Apache, Chicano, Jewish, and German communities. From a young age, Paul has actively assisted his mother in various training endeavors, from tribal work to school assemblies. As he matured, Paul continued his involvement in training, even leading his own vaping prevention sessions on Native American reservations. Beyond his training experience, Paul boasts a background in engineering and construction, dedicating countless hours to constructing small homes for homeless veterans. Holding the esteemed title of Seventh Generation Advisor for the Chicahua Apache Nation, Paul is driven by a primary goal—to make a positive impact in prevention work. Inspired by the mentors who guided him, he is resolute in his commitment to paying it forward throughout his lifetime.

          Estefania Caldera-Alvarado

          (she/her/ella)

          Estefania Caldera-Alvarado has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and is a Prevention Program Director for a community-based organization. As a director, she has led a variety of youth, parent, and community member training on Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention to increase knowledge and facilitate conversation around substances. Estefania believes that healthy communities are achieved through collaborative effort. She is passionate about empowering community members to take action in advocating for themselves, their families, and their communities. Through her work, she looks to influence the next generation to take their voice and wield it to make an impact in their community and beyond.

            Kenzo Sohoue

            (he/him)

            Passionate and dedicated advocate with over four years of experience elevating mission-driven organizations, with a focus on reducing recidivism and promoting restorative justice practices. Proven track record of leadership in youth care environments, community-based initiatives, and trauma-informed healing practices. Committed to being a positive role model and fostering safe, inclusive spaces for justice-involved youth. Highly organized, attentive to detail, and consistently meets program goals and deadlines. Known for open-mindedness, strong communication skills, and an optimistic, solution-oriented approach to challenges.

              Jaumal T. Cade (JayCee)

              (he/him)

              Jaumal T. Cade, professionally known as YNB JC, is a Los Angeles–based artist, youth advocate, and community consultant raised in South Central LA. His lived experience navigating adversity has shaped both his creative voice and his commitment to prevention, healing, and empowerment.

              YNB JC began his music journey in 2015, using storytelling and rap as tools for expression, resilience, and inspiration. Deeply influenced by the legacy of Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom, he later worked at The Marathon Clothing, the world’s first smart retail store—an experience that reinforced the power of ownership, purpose, and community investment.

              Beyond music, Jaumal has dedicated years to youth engagement, mentorship, and creative programming, supporting young people through arts-based prevention, mental wellness check-ins, and skill-building initiatives. His work bridges culture, lived experience, and systems-level prevention, emphasizing upstream solutions rooted in identity, opportunity, and self-belief.

              As a speaker and consultant, YNB JC brings authenticity, cultural relevance, and a prevention-first mindset, inspiring participants to recognize everyday heroes and build pathways toward sustainable community wellness.

              “The highest human act is to inspire,” -Nipsey Hussle

                Taahir Butler

                (he/him)

                is a California State Certified Peer Support Specialist and a Registered Substance Use Disorder Counselor dedicated to empowering individuals on their path to recovery. In addition to his frontline mentorship, Taahir is a trained Mindfulness- Based Substance Abuse Treatment (MBSAT) facilitator, integrating mindfulness practices into recovery work to foster resilience, emotional regulation, and long-term wellness. His approach blends compassion, structure, and real- world insight — making him a vital force in the healing and growth of the communities he serves.

                  Dr. Bianca Hunter-Beckley

                  (she/her)

                  A nonprofit leader and researcher with over 10 years of experience in youth development, mentorship, community engagement, and advocacy for underserved populations. Her leadership approach is grounded in meaning-centered leadership, emphasizing purpose-driven work through engagement, empowerment, and expertise.

                  Dr. Beckley earned her EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership with the goal of improving organizational effectiveness and strengthening community outcomes. Her research interests include nonprofit leadership, cross-sector collaboration, community-police relationships, and reentry and diversion initiatives.

                  In addition to her professional work, Dr. Beckley serves as President of the Southern California Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), where she helps foster professional development, networking, and engagement opportunities for emerging and established public service professionals.

                  She is passionate about empowering youth, advancing equitable practices within nonprofit and public sector organizations, and promoting leadership practices that encourage employee wellbeing, mental health awareness, and burnout prevention.

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