Team Members
Dr Candice E Cox, LCSW, CCTP, CATP
Executive Director
Greetings! I'm Dr Candice Cox, Executive Director and Founder of KHAOS Inc. [formerly Charlotte's Community Outreach Inc.]. I grew up right here in St Louis and from the beginning I was a KHAOS Kid! I started my educational journey in the Mehlville School District, received my BSW from SEMO, MSW in Social Work from SLU, and honorary doctorate from Harvest Christian University! Oh, did I mention that I'm a Delta girl too. I created the KHAOS mindset to show myself as well as others that you are more than your circumstances and what has happened to you. My passion for people drives me to continuously push myself to give of my best self as an encouragement for others to do the same daily. When I'm not managing being a mom and running 2 businesses, you can find me in the gym shredding this body up [I am determined to get these abs]. I love 90's R&B and can hang with some HipHop as well.
April 'AJ' Jefferson
Khaos Koach
April is a St. Louis native, who has been an active agent of change advocating for the advancement of those underrepresented since 2015. For several years she has spearheaded and participated in initiatives geared towards economic advancement of St. Louis’ underrepresented communities and has witnessed firsthand the great need for organizations such as KHAOS, Inc. As a community member, servant, and leader, she is beyond proud to provide support to the youth of St. Louis.
Jonathan Bland
Khaos Koach
My name is Jonathan Bland, hailing from the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, and currently based in Saint Louis for the past decade. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Non-profit Administration from Lindenwood University. I am deeply committed to nurturing the growth of young adults and children, equipping them with the necessary skills to make a positive impact in their communities. My passion drives my efforts to empower the next generation to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.
Jasmine Walker
LMSW
Hello! I’m a proud St. Louis native and a graduate of Riverview Gardens High School, deeply connected to the community I love. My academic path led me to Missouri State University, where I earned a B.S. in Psychology in 2021 and an MSW in 2023. A recent milestone in my journey was achieving my Licensed Masters of Social Work license in the spring of 2024.
My heart is firmly rooted in serving others, particularly the youth who I believe are the cornerstone of our future. I’m passionate about empowering young people, working alongside them to foster growth, and making meaningful connections throughout St. Louis. My mission is to forge strong, impactful partnerships that contribute to positive change in our community.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me exploring new places, savoring a good nap, cherishing time with my family, or sharing laughter with friends. These moments keep me grounded and fuel my passion for making a difference. I’m excited for the journey ahead and the chance to stay true to what truly matters while creating a lasting impact.
Kiesha Thomas
Chief Development Officer
Hi I'm Kiesha, the Director of Community Development here at KHAOS Inc. I'm a Parkway West High School alumni, mother, & wife with an amazing family unit. I started my journey in the healthcare field in 2012 as the DOO of a startup psychotherapy company & branched over to the nonprofit sector in a startup in 2016 as the Volunteer/Intern Coordinator. I have an educational background in sociology & psychology, Google certified Project Management, and healthcare management & data analytics from WGU. I had the opportunity to see people incoming at their worst & then witnessed them be supported so deeply that they were able to begin their mental health healing process to start living in their purpose. [This was one of the greatest sights in the world]. Since that time, I have started & owned a childcare center for 4 years, leveraged my ability to build meaningful relationships, & focused on building myself up to what I wanted to be & my best self. In the meantime & in between time, you would be likely to find me snuggled under a blanket, watching a good movie, with a Redbull or some type of mixed concoction and some fried wings...well done and all flats preferred. 90's R&B music is a vibe and premium love language but when cooking those big family meals...it's the old school jams that MUST be played [it's just something about the OJay's, Anita Baker, & Luther that just makes you put your foot in some food. If you hadn't guessed by now...I'm also a foodie]. I will definitely take a touch of the other 4 love languages too and am not opposed to swapping out recipes that peak my interest.
Destinee Turner
MSW Student-SLU
I'm Destinee Turner and I'm so excited to be starting my practicum at KHAOS INC in the summer of 2024! I can't wait to see what this experience holds for me. I am from Saint Louis, Missouri. I completed high school at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy. Following that, I pursued my bachelor's degree in social work at the University of Central Missouri in 2018. Currently, I'm working towards my master's in work at Saint Louis University, while also serving as a patient advocate at BJC. Drawing from personal life experiences, I understand the challenges of overcoming life's obstacles and how they can impact our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Seeking help when needed is not always easy but is crucial for our well-being. This belief fuels my passion for empowering others because I've seen firsthand that positive change is possible! When it comes to self-care, I indulge in activities that bring me joy at the moment – spontaneity is key for me. Whether it's shopping, traveling, dining out, or simply spending time with my family or friends, these moments recharge me. Overall, once you get to know me you'll find that I'm easygoing and fun-loving, with a sense of humor many people enjoy!
Alexis Evans
PLPC
My name is Alexis Evans, and I proudly call Saint Louis, MO, my lifelong home. I hold a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Mental and Clinical Health Counseling from Lindenwood University. My personal journey through numerous traumatic experiences, along with witnessing my family's similar struggles, inspired me to pursue a career as a Therapist for adolescent boys and girls.
The support and encouragement I received from mentors and public figures in Saint Louis were pivotal in my development, providing me with the resources needed to succeed. It's my aspiration to offer the same support and inspiration to the next generation. Working with each client is profoundly rewarding, and witnessing the incremental progress in their healing journeys brings immense joy to my heart, reaffirming my commitment to this vital work—even on the toughest days.
In my downtime, I enjoy traveling, working out, playing sports, listening to music, reading, and catching up on sleep!
Buffie Phillips
MSW Student - MoBap
My name is Buffie M. Phillips. I’m a recent graduate from Maryville University, c/o “24”, receiving my BSW. I’m currently enrolled at Missouri Baptist pursuing my MSW. I’m a proud wife of a retired US Army Vet and mother of 3 adult children. Both my boys, oldest serves in the US Marines, middle son serving in the US Navy and my only daughter is a graduate of University of Missouri c/o “24”. My end goal is to work with young mothers, giving them the emotional support needed for them to pursue their goals and dreams. My motto in life: Dreams aren’t denied, they may just be delayed.
Brittany Buchannon
MA, PLPC
I'm Brittany Buchannon, a proud native of St. Louis, born and raised. I completed my Bachelor's of Science in Psychology at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, and am currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the same institution.
I am deeply committed to providing genuine, holistic guidance to my community. I strive to equip others with the essential tools they need to navigate their lives more effectively and lead fulfilling lives.
Kelly Davis
MSW Student-UMSL
Hi, I'm Kelly Davis and I am an MSW student at UMSL. I am transitioning into the social work field after attaining my Bachelor's in Communications from Fontbonne University. After working in the marketing world for over 5 years, I felt a pull to find work that would lead to deeper connections with people, and that's how I landed in UMSL's MSW program. I have been learning so much about people, the world, and myself through this program and I am so excited to start practicing what I've learned so far. My fiancé and I have two fur babies named Sloane and Winnie and those pitties love to play! I am a St. Louis native, and before you ask I went to Notre Dame High School in Lemay. In my free time, you can find me going to Cardinals games, concerts, and crafting. My favorite music genres are pop and indie rock, but I do listen to a little bit of everything.
Please let me know if there is anything else you need from me.
Ariel Walker
BSW Student- Maryville University
I'm Ariel and a native of Saint Louis, MO, I recently completed my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree on May 2024 and am currently finishing the final 200 hours of my fieldwork. This fall, I will be attending Saint Louis University (SLU) to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. My life experiences on the Southside of Saint Louis have deeply influenced my passion for social work, particularly in supporting children and young adults who have lost their parents due to incarceration or death. My goal is to make a significant impact on their lives. If I can change just one person's path for the better, I will consider my efforts successful.
LaKaysha Shields
LMSW
Hello! I’m Lakaysha and I am excited to join the KHAOS team. I am a proud St. Louis native
who received my Master’s in Social Work from the Brown School in 2018. Ever since
graduating, my focus has been middle school-age adolescents. I’ve always had a passion for
young people. This passion came from having influential people in my life and wanting to make
the same impact on others. I’m committed to helping adolescents through life stressors and
trauma, and teaching them ways to unleash their greatness. With my experience, I want to
create a safe space for young people to release those stressors. I want to help them build
strong and safe relationships and to help them understand their purpose in this world. Outside
of work, I’m an avid reader and have a book blog. I love music, musicals, and spending time
with my family and friends.