"IMPACT helped me find my voice, my body, and my POWER! I feel more comfortable in myself and going after what I want, need, and deserve!" -Margaret
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Meet Our Staff

All instructors have been mentored, trained and certified. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, contact us at info@impactsafety.org.

Executive Team

Julie Harmon

Executive Director
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Matt O'Brien

Director of Instructor Training
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Venica Miller

Program Manager/Instructor
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Instructors

Arnesia McMillion

Instructor
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Charelle Peoples

Instructor
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Erica Russell Averette

Instructor
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Jenice Tate

Instructor
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Mary Culver

Instructor
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Sharonda Crome

Instructor
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Stephanie Sparrow Hughes

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Tecca Thompson

Instructor
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All instructors have been mentored, trained and certified. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, contact us at info@impactsafety.org.

IMPACT Safety is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing personal safety and violence prevention training to people of all ages and abilities — the emotional and physical skills to prevent violence, make safe choices, and live with greater confidence.

IMPACT Safety is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (EIN 39-4009222). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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  • IMPACT Safety
    1699 West Mound Street
    Columbus, OH 43223
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We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Venica Miller is the program manager for IMPACT Safety’s We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self Defense, a program created by black women for black women to address safety concerns and help build confidence. She is an Empowerment Self Defense instructor and has been with the program since inception. Venica is also the retired Deputy Director of Victim Services Initiatives for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office where she served for 18 years. Venica directed Ohio’s Victim Services Academy and the annual statewide conference on victim assistance, Two Days in May. She served as the African American Employee Network Co Chair and received awards for her advocacy efforts. Venica studied at Ohio Dominican University and Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense​

Matt O’Brien teaches people how to feel powerful without having to perform confidence. A former martial arts champion who once mistook violence for strength, Matt now helps others reclaim the quiet certainty that comes from genuine self-trust. Since 2009, he’s been part of the IMPACT Safety team, teaching trauma-informed, practical tools for physical, emotional, and intellectual resiliency. His goal? To help people replace fear with agency—so they can move, speak, and live with confidence in a world that often demands smallness.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Arnesia McMillian is the /founder of Alive2living Coaching and Consulting. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutritionist, and Empowerment Self-Defense Instructor. Her passion led her to become a Polarity Practitioner. Arnesia embodies the gifts she shares and integrated practical strategies and other forms of modalities when coaching. She guides you on a journey of transferring the simplicity of LIFE into all of the complexities we experience as humans.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Bio coming soon.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

As a child witnessing the physical abuse of a loved one, I set a boundary early on that I would be able to defend myself if faced with the same situation or similar circumstances. I first gained mental strength and the physical strength followed. In addition to teaching self-defense classes, I am also a personal trainer and group fitness instructor that strives to build strength and endurance with my clients so that they can be prepared to save their lives or the lives of someone else if warranted. Life can be tough, but being prepared for those tough situations is the difference in being resilient or breakable. I am a community influencer that promotes, encourages, and trains others to live and enjoy a high quality of life through health, wellness, fitness, balance (yin and yang), happiness, calmness, and empowerment.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Jenice Tate was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. She relocated to Columbus, Ohio to attend The Ohio State University in 1995. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2000 with a B.A in social and behavioral sciences. Currently, she works as an Associate Manager for OhioHealth SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio). In 2010, Jenice co-founded Project V.O.I.C.E. Inc. Victory Over Intense Circumstance and Elevate to purpose. Project V.O.I.C.E. raises awareness in the areas of sexual violence, human trafficking, and teen dating violence. She has also facilitated empowerment workshops with high- risk youth. Jenice is a part of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church Woman of Power ministry where she assists with providing resources to meet the needs of community. She is also a member of New Salem’s anti-human trafficking ministry. Jenice was certified as an instructor in Empowerment Self -Defense in July of 2022. She is a member of the We Are Worth Defending Columbus Chapter. She is a mother of four beautiful children and has a passion for helping others.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Trained in individual, family and community advocacy, leadership development and community engagement. Mary has committed her career to Believing, Empowering, and Advocating for survivors of Sexual Violence, DV/IPV, Stalking and Human Trafficking. She has worked in Domestic Violence Shelters assisting on crisis hotlines, facilitating peer support groups and previously worked as a Legal Advocate for the City Prosecutor’s Office for more than 10 years. She is certified as a Community Health Worker, an Anger Resolution Therapist, Trauma Responsive Care and Empowerment Self Defense Instruction. Mary currently serves as an Associate Manager of Sexual Violence Services for SARNCO, the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio where she supports 24/7 Hospital Advocacy Response, Aftercare Advocacy and Outreach Programs. Mary is a member of the Ohio Women of Color Caucus and serves as a member of the leadership team in addition to the We Are Worth Defending Empowerment Self Defense Visionary Team. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Sociology from Ohio Dominican University and went on to earn a master’s degree from Tiffin University in Criminal Justice and Crime Analysis.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Sharonda Crome is a highly skilled and passionate empowered self-defense instructor with over 10 years of experience in the field. She is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through the transformative power of empowered self-defense. With an understanding of the impact of trauma, Sharonda takes a trauma-informed approach in her teaching. She recognizes that many individuals have experienced various forms of trauma and understands the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. One of the unique aspects of Sharonda’s teaching style is her use of somatic practices. By incorporating somatic techniques into her classes, she helps participants connect with their bodies, release tension, and tap into their inner strength. This holistic approach not only enhances physical self-defense skills but also fosters emotional resilience and personal growth. Throughout her career, Sharonda has worked with diverse populations, including survivors of violence, marginalized communities, and individuals seeking personal empowerment. Her expertise lies in tailoring her instruction to meet the specific needs and goals of each participant, ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. Sharonda’s commitment to empowering others extends beyond the classroom. She actively engages in community outreach programs, partnering with local organizations to provide self-defense workshops and resources to those who need it most. When she’s not teaching or advocating for empowerment, you can find Sharonda exploring new ways to integrate mindfulness practices and creating handcrafted jewelry that are inspired by her love for nature, mindfulness, and personal empowerment. As a student of Life, Sharonda has been studying personal development in some form since the age of 9, is a Certified Life Coach, Empowerment Self Defense Instructor, and trained facilitator in Polarity Therapy. Sharonda believes finding rest at the center of our being is our most vital component of self-care and personal well-being.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Stephanie Sparrow Hughes is an Empowerment Self Defense Instructor for the “We Are Worth Defending” program. A program created in 2022 by Black women for Black women to address safety concerns and help build confidence. As a Corporate and Community Engagement Manager at LifeCare Alliance, she builds partnerships with companies to advance their community impact by volunteering to serve individuals with health challenges. Stephanie is a fierce advocate for women and girls. She previously served as Manager of the Buckeye Mentoring Hub at MENTOR Ohio, where she led efforts to develop mentoring programs and trained mentors to elevate youth. She served on the board for The Franklin County Genealogical and Historical Society as Vice President and chair of the African American Interest Group. Stephanie is certified in Mental Health First Aid and is a graduate of Franklin University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

We are Worth Defending: Empowerment Self-Defense

Bio coming soon.