Influential Woman · Social Work & Case Management | Publishing & Public Speaking
Ashaki Satomi Scott
Case Manager II at SHELTER, Inc. | Founder and CEO of Means of Expression LLC
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Her Story
About Ashaki
Ashaki Scott is a Case Manager II at SHELTER, Inc. and the Founder and CEO of Means of Expression LLC. As a human services professional, author, poet, public speaker, and creative entrepreneur, she brings a multifaceted perspective to her work, combining her commitment to community service with her passion for storytelling, self-expression, and social change.
With more than three years of experience in social work, case management, community navigation, housing support, and social services, Scott supports individuals experiencing housing instability and other complex barriers, including people affected by domestic violence and individuals with disabilities. Her professional background also includes community navigation and reentry services, where she has helped individuals navigate systems, access resources, and work toward greater stability and independence.
Alongside her work in human services, Scott is an accomplished author, poet, public speaker, and creative entrepreneur. Through Means of Expression LLC, which she founded in 2025, she uses poetry, storytelling, public speaking, workshops, and creative experiences to promote healing, empowerment, authentic self-expression, and social change. She is the author of two self-published poetry collections, The Average Girl, Me and 27 Years of Life, with her work distributed through major retailers including Barnes & Noble and Walmart.
Scott’s poetry collection 27 Years of Life was inspired by her grandfather, Geronimo Pratt, a Black Panther leader and political prisoner who spent 27 years in prison before being exonerated. The collection explores themes of identity, perseverance, liberation, healing, grief, love, resilience, and personal growth. Through her creative work, Scott creates spaces where personal stories and lived experiences can become sources of reflection, connection, healing, and empowerment.
Scott’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial Psychology from California State University, East Bay, as well as Associate’s Degrees in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from Los Medanos College. She has also completed professional development training in trauma-informed care, communication, leadership, and management and is TEFL certified.
Beyond her professional and creative work, Scott remains committed to serving her community through mentorship and outreach. She has mentored youth through Ashland Youth Reach Center and organized distributions of essential items to people experiencing homelessness in Oakland. Whether through human services, entrepreneurship, public speaking, or creative expression, Scott approaches her work with a strong commitment to helping others and creating meaningful social impact.
She believes that those entering the human services field should do so with a genuine desire to help others, recognizing that compassion and authenticity are essential to sustaining meaningful work. Through both her professional service and creative entrepreneurship, Scott continues to use her voice, experience, and talents to inspire healing, empowerment, and positive change.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashaki
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my determination, resilience, and willingness to create opportunities for myself. Much of what I have accomplished, from earning my degree and publishing my books to starting Means of Expression LLC, began with my own vision and the decision to keep moving forward, even when I did not have a clear roadmap or extensive support. I also credit the example set by my mother, who had me at 17 and worked incredibly hard as a single parent to provide for our family. Watching her persevere taught me the value of hard work, resourcefulness, and refusing to allow difficult circumstances to define what is possible. Ultimately, my success comes from believing in my ideas, taking initiative, and remaining committed to building a meaningful life and career from them.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering social work and human services to make sure they are pursuing this field because they genuinely care about helping people and their heart is truly in the work. This profession requires compassion and a sincere commitment to serving others. If someone enters the field for the wrong reasons, they can become overwhelmed and experience burnout. I believe it is important to maintain that genuine desire to help people and to approach the work with a spirit of service.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in case management is having a genuine desire to help people while working within the limitations of program budgets, grant requirements, eligibility guidelines, and the availability of community resources. I have a big heart for the people I serve, so it can be difficult knowing that even with dedication and compassion, one person or organization can only do so much. However, this challenge also creates opportunities for stronger advocacy, community partnerships, creative problem solving, and more equitable investment in social services.
As an entrepreneur, my greatest opportunity is expanding the reach of Means of Expression LLC. I am focused on building meaningful connections and increasing outreach so I can secure more public speaking engagements, help aspiring authors bring their books to life through self publishing consultations, and grow my book and merchandise sales. The challenge is increasing visibility and reaching the right audiences, but I see that as an opportunity to strengthen my brand, share my story, and create a greater impact through service, education, and creative expression.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Service, compassion, healing, empowerment, authenticity, resilience, and social impact are central to my work. I believe in genuinely helping others and being of service to people navigating difficult circumstances. Through both my case management work and creative work, I value authentic self-expression, storytelling, empowerment, and creating opportunities for people and communities to heal, connect, and move forward.
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