Meet our newest team member, Shauntel Harris, a dedicated mama of two and military spouse who brings over 20 years of heart and healthcare expertise to our village. She recently sat down to create a beautiful vision board to keep her 2026 goals aligned with her spirit—and we’re sharing the inspiration behind it! Click through to learn more about her journey from overseas back to her roots and what makes her a true Aquarius soul.
To start, we’d love to get to know you! Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Hello, my name is Shauntel Harris. I am a hardworking, dedicated, loyal, and compassionate individual who values honesty, sincerity, and laughter. I am a God-fearing African American woman and the proud mother of two children—a 26-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.
Six months ago, I relocated from overseas with my spouse and youngest daughter due to military orders. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and bring over 20 years of administrative support experience across both federal and civilian sectors.
I am a spiritual person with a genuine interest in astrology and zodiac signs. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, attending concerts, exercising, and embracing new adventures with friends and family. As an Aquarius, I also value quiet moments alone to reflect, recharge, and relax.
What is your role here at BIH, and what do you find most fulfilling about the work you do?
I began working with Black Infant Health in September as the Data Entry/Office Assistant Lead at the Oceanside location. Although my time here has been brief, I have already developed a strong and meaningful connection to my community.
What I find most fulfilling about my role is the sense of comfort and belonging that comes from working in an environment centered on women who look like me, understand me, and share similar lived experiences. This is a space where I don’t feel the need to “read the room” before speaking. Instead, it feels safe to be seen, to voice our opinions, and to speak our truth openly and honestly about whatever topics arise. That level of authenticity and support is incredibly refreshing and deeply meaningful to me.
Reflecting on your time with us so far, is there a specific memory or experience that has really stayed with you?
One experience that has truly stayed with me feels like it happened just yesterday, largely because of how it made me feel in that moment. It was around Halloween, and we welcomed women into the space with their babies and children to show off their costumes and enjoy some social time together, along with a light breakfast.
At the time, I was still new to Black Infant Health and didn’t personally know many of the women. Yet the way we naturally connected—laughing, vibing, and engaging with one another—was incredibly beautiful and organic. Conversations flowed effortlessly as we talked about anything and everything, sharing laughter and genuine joy. It was a powerful reminder of the sense of community and belonging that makes this work so meaningful.
We heard you created a vision board! What categories or themes did you choose to prioritize this year?
Yes, I have completed my vision board for the year. This is my first time creating one, even though I’ve been interested in the idea for a long time. This year, I was very intentional about the process. My daughter and I each created our own vision boards to begin 2026 with purpose, clarity, and a mindset focused on manifestation.
At the center of my vision board is my favorite prayer, which serves as the foundation for everything else on the board. Surrounding it are images and affirmations that reflect the main areas I want to prioritize this year: love, health, exercise, self-care, and travel. These are the aspects of my life where I want to intentionally invite growth, balance, and positive energy.
The images I chose are meaningful to me—they feature people who look like me and experiences I can genuinely see myself living. The affirmations are ones that deeply resonate with my spirit and reinforce the mindset I want to carry throughout the year. Overall, my vision board represents alignment, self-love, faith, and being intentional about the life I’m creating.
What three tips or resources would you recommend to our clients who are interested in creating their own vision boards?
- Begin with intention.
Take time to pray, reflect, or meditate on what you want to invite into your life before starting your vision board. Ask for clarity and guidance and be honest about what your heart needs in this season. - Choose what truly resonates with you.
Use images and affirmations that align with your spirit, values, and lived experience—representation and authenticity matter. If it doesn’t spark peace, excitement, or motivation, it probably doesn’t belong on your board. - Keep it visible and revisit it often.
Place your vision board where you’ll see it regularly. Speak your affirmations out loud, pray over your goals, and check in with yourself throughout the year and lastly, act!
There are so many ways to create a vision board these days, from physical collages to digital spaces. What tools or mediums do you find most helpful for expressing your goals, and how do they help you stay connected to your vision throughout the year?
I’m a hands-on type of person, I find physical vision boards most helpful because the hands-on process makes the experience feel more intentional and grounded. Cutting out images, writing affirmations, and placing everything with purpose on the board allows me to fully connect with my goals on a deeper, more spiritual level.
I keep my vision board near the entrance of my bedroom in my intimate space. It serves as a visual reminder to pray over my goals, speak affirmations, and stay aligned with the vision I’m manifesting through faith, consistency, and action. This helps me stay connected to my intentions.
If you would like to find out about BIH can help you, reach out to our San Diego County Black Infant Health Program at 619-266-7466.