Dr. Vanessa Chappell-Lee, DPA, grew up in Harlem, New York and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School 77 and received her professional education from Morgan State University 1981- Magna Cum Laude- Bachelor of Social Work Degree, University of Maryland School of Social Work 1983- with a concentration in community organization and minor in clinical services. Proudly, she earned a doctorate degree from the University of Baltimore-2006, making her the first African American Female to earn a doctorate from the University.
She is a licensed clinician, providing outpatient mental health services to families, individuals, and youth throughout Maryland. Dr. Chappell-Lee is a published writer and has been recognized by the University of Maryland for her contribution to the field of social work and she continues to provide therapeutic services to people in need.
She has served in various capacities as a Social Worker and administrator for the State of Maryland, Washington, District of Columbia, and Prince George’s County Governments. She is not new to the art industry, as a child she won an art contest while in elementary school, studied the violin and worked side by side her mother, who was a master seamstress to hone her sewing skills. Also, she was part of the drama ministries as a member of both Fountain Baptist Church, and First Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church of Baltimore.
In 2017, Vanessa picked up a paint brush and reconnected to her passion to bring creativity to canvas. She is a mixed medium painter using various products to draw in her audience to her creativity. Her use of sand and acrylic is breath taking. After being diagnosed with an inoperable tumor, she has found painting as a mean to connect to inner visions that she is unable to express in words. Vanessa allows the canvas to speak to her and is not bound by colors or size; the bigger the canvas, the louder the vision. I enjoy the moments and I am guided by my curiosity and mother’s spirit. Vanessa is quoted to say, “I can do all things through Christ that Strengthens Me.”
Vanessa lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with her husband of 30 plus years and dog Khloe.
