About Me
My name is Phoenix Xiahna
Phoenix Xiahna Totesau-Johnson (she/her) is a Caribbean-American educator, mentor, mental health advocate, and the founder of AsToldByPhi—a platform devoted to reflection, wellness, and intentional living.
As a queer Black woman and first-generation college graduate, Phoenix leads from lived experience—infusing her work with both empathy and structure. Through her years in New York City’s nonprofit and education sectors, she’s supported Black and Brown youth in building confidence, navigating change, and showing up for themselves fully.
In 2022, she released the 52 Weeks of Getting It Together digital planner, a tool designed to help people organize their lives with clarity, grace, and purpose. Most recently, she launched Campus to Career: The Manual, a guide created to help students and emerging professionals ease the anxiety around “what’s next” and step into their futures with more confidence and direction.
Phoenix’s work bridges self-awareness and strategy. Whether she’s mentoring young women, designing resources, or curating content for AsToldByPhi, her mission stays the same: to help others find peace, build alignment, and grow with intention.
This space was built for becoming—and she hopes you find growth and peace here.
A New Leader in the Platform
Youth Initiative Liasion
Kidist Allonce
Kidist has served as the Youth Initiative Liaison for AsToldByPhi since August 2025, leading efforts that connect education, mentorship, and community impact. An educator, mentor, and advocate, she is deeply committed to empowering the next generation through intentional learning and purposeful engagement. A proud Haitian-American woman and doctoral candidate, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Molloy University and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.
With years of experience as a Special Education Teacher and former Assistant Director, Kidist brings both expertise and heart to her work. Within AsToldByPhi, she helps design and oversee youth-centered programs that promote inclusion, confidence, and purpose—ensuring young people have the tools to grow, lead, and thrive. You can often find her engaging with the youth we serve, preparing our workshop spaces, or sharing meaningful one-on-one moments with anyone she sees a spark in.
We are so happy to have her as apart of our platform.
"I hope you find growth & peace here"
I said that to myself one quiet day in November 2019, not knowing it would become the heartbeat of AsToldByPhi. Back then, I didn’t have a full plan—I just knew that anyone who came across this space should leave feeling a little more grounded, a little more seen, and a little more in tune with themselves.
What started as my own place to reflect has grown into a soft, intentional corner of the internet—one that honors your journey, holds space for your becoming, and invites you to move through life with care.