Our Presenters
Iyalorisa Oseye Mchawi, was a long-time community activist of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, now resides in Irvington, New Jersey. She is a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a Yoruba Priestess. Ms. Mchawi was initiated to the Yoruba deity, Obatala on July 24, 1976, and in 1990 was bestowed the chieftaincy title Adesesefun from the Obatala Shrine in Ibadan, Nigeria. Mama Oseye, as she is affectionately called, is intricately involved with several African traditional spiritual groups and is one of the founding members and present Executive Director of the Omo Obatala Egbe, Inc. Additionally, Mama Oseye, is the founder and President of the Yoruba Society of Brooklyn, Inc; was a founding member and first President of the Board of Ijo Orisa Yoruba Church, Inc. She is also proud of her relationship as a spiritual leader and elder with the youth Organization Egbe Iwa formerly known as Egbe Iwa Odo Binrin and Egbe Iwa Odo Kunrin. Mama Oseye has worked diligently to raise the awareness of the plight of Yoruba traditionalists here in New York, in Africa, and, in throughout the Diaspora. As a spiritual leader and “godmother” to many, she has organized a disparate group of people from a myriad of backgrounds into a family unit. She is very happy to claim four generations of Orisa initiates and devotees within her own family. In 1987, Mama Oseye adopted the Candomble house in Bahia, Ile Iya Nasso Ile Funfun (Casa Branca) as a Sister House, thus beginning the experience of the Yoruba Society of Brooklyn’s annual African Heritage tours of Brazil, which are conducted by her. Also, as a result of her visits to Casa Branca, Mama Oseye introduced the tradition of Agua de Oxala (Waters of Obatala) to the Omo Obatala Egbe several years ago, and it continues to be a highlight, and an integral part of the Annual International Orisa Conference.
Mel Adún is an African Brazilian writer engaged with race and gender issues in Brazil. Graduated in Mass media and with a Master degree in Black Literature from the Federal University of Bahia, Mel Adún is also a specialist in script writing. She is the founder of Tobossis, a non profit organization that focuses in gender and race and is the Vice President and co-founder of the Editora Ogum’s Publishing Company. She has been part of over 15 anthologies (poetry and short stories) and has two children books published.
Born and raised in the culture-rich suburbs of New York City, Ayodele Carter-Davis was surrounded by art, music and other uncategorized expressions of the human spirit. In her early years, Ayodele watched her Mom cut patterns and sew their clothes in the living room. From her Mom’s simple sketches at the age of seven grew the love for drawing. Art, specifically drawing and painting, has been the mainstay of Ayodele’s curriculum from the 7th grade through college. With a major in Architecture and a minor in Fine Arts, Ayodele built a strong career in the world of engineering and technology consulting. Never far from her art, she began to share her talents with the public in 2012 with her first solo art show in Brooklyn, New York. As resident of Manassas, Virginia for over 15 years, Ayodele held her second art show in Manassas in 2014. With the strength of two successful shows, Ayodele now shares her art each Saturday morning at the Reston Indie Market in Lake Anne, VA.
Bishop Yao Rainey Cheeks , Albert Rainier Cheeks (Rainey) as he is known by family and friends was born and raised in Washington DC. He started his training in Traditional Tae Kwan Do at age 14 under Grand Master Ki Whang Kim. He made black belt in 1968 this also began his studies into traditional energy healing, massage and meditation techniques. He was rated in the top 10 in the United States and was the co-captain on the first US team that competed in the World Championship in Seoul Korea in 1973. There he won silver medal in team and bronze medal individual he was inducted into the Tae Kwon Do hall of fame in 2007 he now serves as the Grand Master of the Ki Kwan Kim Traditional Marshal Arts Association and holds the rank of 9th Degree. He became a social justice activist in 1968 when Dr. King was killed walking women home to get out of danger this experience lead him to a fight for social justice for the rest of his life for all people of Color. He studied Kryia yoga and was initiated by Swami Hariharanada Giri in 1978. 1981 he was certified in Energy an Charkra balancing energy techniques. He was ordained in 1982 from the National Spiritual Science Center of Washington D.C. In 1985 he founded of Us Helping Us, People into Living a holistic training program in for people living with AIDS. He has presented at three World health Conference on HIV on the interconnection of mind body healing techniques in Amsterdam Germany and Japan. In 1988 he was certify as a grief counselor from the St. France Center in Washington D.C... 1993 He founded and open Inner Light Unity Fellowship Church in Washington D. C. 1999 he was honored with his Doctor of Divinity from The St. Andrews Theological School of London England the same year he was consecrated to the office of Bishop while serving with the Unity Fellowship Church Movement. 2000. 2018 Inner Light Ministries became a member of United Church of Christ.
Chief Ayanda Ifadara Clarke Ajibilu Awo of Osogboland, Chief Babalawo at Ile Oturupon Sokun Temple, Brooklyn NY is a spiritual health counselor who serves as an initiate of Ifa, Orisa, Ayan, and Egungun (ancestors). He tends to the needs of individuals, couples, and familiesin his native New York and throughout the United States. Chief Ayanda has emerged as an esteemed consultant, advisor, and officiant for ancestral veneration ceremonies. As such, he conducts programs at cultural arts and academic institutions including Princeton, Yale, Wesleyan University, Brooklyn Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. In addition to co-founding and co executive producing the annual Isese Festival NYC, Chief Ayanda is the founder and Chief Babalawo of Ile Oturupon Sokun Temple in Brooklyn. As a business leader, Chief Ayanda founded THE FADARA GROUP to house his spiritual, cultural, and musical endeavors. Through its public events, high caliber performances, and the referral network known as IWA (Integrated Wealth Alliance), THE FADARA GROUP is a program presenter, producer, and a trusted partner to many organizations and causes in the community.
OLUDARÉ- it means, “God gives me the sanction to LIVE!” Oludaré is a Balogun (Priest of Ogun), Aponni (Music Healing Ceremonial Leader), Omo Anya (Sacred Healing Drummer), Dancer and Author of Breathing With Orisha. He is a #RespiratoryActivist and believes in #RESPARATIONS- a spin off of reparations that includes the freedom and time for African Descendants to practice intentional healing through the breath, song and movements of their own ancestral lineages. He is the Author if Breathing With Orisha which has been archived in the Harvard University Library as a living document that discusses the breathing methods of resilience for Black communities during the rise of the Global Covid 19 pandemic. Through Kìire Wellness, Oludaré teaches private and public chair breathing, dance, song, and music workshops that culturally restore African descendants, strengthen their physical health and fortify their spiritual practice. His work is dedicated to promoting wellness in African Descendant communities- and it all starts with the Breath.
EGBE IWA Rites of Passage and Cultural Mentoring Program, formerly known as Egbe Iwa Odo'Kunrin*Egbe Iwa Odo'binrin, has served the community since its inception in 2002. Our Yoruba name indicates we are a Society (of Young People) of Character. With over 88 Alumni and a robust and dedicated community. the Egbe Iwa family is excited about our 2021 virtual relaunch and conference participation! The Egbe Iwa 2021 Akeko's retreat and conference attendance was made possible in part by generous donations from The Orisa Community Development Corporation, and Egbe Iwa Olukos (Mentors) Lisa Gibson and Lesedi Ntsane
Kevin Greene is a Priest of Obatala in the Lukumi-Yoruba tradition for 18 years, a certified massage therapist of 26 years, a diviner/reader, teacher/ facilitator and health care activist. In 1996 he created the Alternative and Complimentary Therapies Program at Action AIDS, a Philadelphia Non-Profit Organization that served People living with AIDS and HIV+ clients in Philadelphia. He is the founder of the L.T.H.L. Ministry Baba Kevin is a student of Qi Gong and Tai Chi since 1996. By cultivating a daily practice of Qi Gong he has been able to share his personal experience in surviving “life threatening illnesses,” by including Qi Gong Practice into a holistic health care program.
Gloria M. Rodríguez, is a Professor of Psychology at Bronx Community College of The City University of New York and holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Her interests and ongoing research include womanist/mujerista feminism, cultural, spiritual, and social psychology. She has contributed chapters to: The Invisible Alliance – Psyche and Spirit in Feminist Therapy, Through The Eyes of Rebel Women – The Young Lords: 1969-1976, Latina Outsiders: Remaking Latina Identity and has authored several articles for academic peer-reviewed journals. Gloria released her first self-published book, You Are More Than Good Enough in 2011, which won First Place awards in the Self-Help and Spiritual categories, and Second Place in the Women’s Issues category at The International Latino Book Awards. In Fall 2018, Gloria was awarded Faculty of the Year award by the Association of Latino Faculty and Staff and in Spring 2018, she was awarded Faculty of the Year by the broader college community. She has also received numerous awards by various women’s and community organizations, including Hispanicize Positive Impact Award, The National Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee, Dedicate to Educate, Inc. The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diasporic Institute, El Comite Noviembre and FIERCE Woman of the Year,among others. Gloria founded and is the faculty director of Womxn Up! - the first Women’s Center at Bronx Community College and the only one in the three CUNY Bronx Colleges. Since it’s inception in Fall 2019 – Womxn Up! has provided innovative, intersectional and collaborative programs and workshops that have served thousands of students at BCC. Gloria’s volunteer community service record started over 45 years ago, with her involvement as a student, community leader, and social activist in her community of Brooklyn and as a leading member of the Young Lords Party in NY and Philadelphia. Equality for women was integral to the Young Lord’s philosophy and her history serves as a strong foundation for the founding, building and direction of DeAlmas Women’s Institute, a community-based organization, literally meaning “of the soul.” DeAlmas is dedicated to providing women and girls the opportunity to reclaim, honor, heal, express and celebrate their Divine Feminine power and potential – whereby transforming the larger society for a just and compassionate world. Ms. Rodríguez presents workshops, keynote addresses and lectures to national and international audiences at major colleges, conferences and retreats. Her signature program - the Guapa Leadership Retreat for adolescent girls has served hundreds of middle and high school young womxn in the Aspira schools in Philadelphia, and independent schools and mental health organizations in New York City. Gloria is the mother of two adult children - Nicole Rodriguez-Leach and Zaydee Santiago, and an adoring Lela (abuela) to Jalen, Talia and Lola – her 3 grandchildren. She is an initiate in the Lukumi-Yoruba religious tradition as a daughter of Oshun.
Michelle Hutton Iya Michelle’s career has largely been driven by a calling to service her community as a spiritual advisor. Iya Michelle acquired a Master of Arts degree in Education from Grace Graduate School in 1985 and a Master’s of Divinity from ITC Interdenominational Theological Centre in Atlanta in 1989. Upon her graduation, she completed a CPE Clinical Pastoral Education, while working in several Atlanta hospitals as a chaplain and ordained minister. Iya Michelle then went onto become the first female chaplain to be hired by the Atlanta Police Department. Shortly after, she again made history by becoming the first female chaplain to open two federal prisons, one in Illinois and another in Brooklyn. As a chaplain, she was responsible for all religious services across all different denominations. She retired right before 9/11, and since then she has serviced the orisha community as a designer and as an iyalorisha ordained to Ochosi.
Joan Henry is a Native American woman deeply committed to her culture and spiritual practice. I know her as a ceremonialist, drumming and singing traditional songs. She is also a wise woman who could speak well to how her spiritual practice supports her to survive and in fact thrive through difficult times. This is a bio from her website www.earthsinger.net Here is a snippet from her site. Through song they were teaching me moments, experiences, an environment that is spherical, vibrational— not static. They were waking up my original memory, the knowledge in my cells of experiencing Mother Earth all around us, of experiencing my relationship with everything that is alive. And make no mistake: everything is alive – and everything sings. Everything has a song. Where I’ve come to is the place of carrying these songs in a good way, so that they can be sung whenever they are needed. That’s what Kanogisgi – dekanogisgi, more accurately – or “Song Carrier” means. A singer becomes responsible to wherever a song is from and means you have to be available when that song needs to be sung. A lot of elders put a lot of time and energy into me; I am responsible to honor that, to carry that. More and more it seems that I’ve come to a place now of focusing on moving songs out into the world, and listening for the ones that are emerging at this time, in order to bring them forth, eh? –because the songs thread the people together, to one another and to the Earth, re-member-ing or reminding us of our integral interrelatedness. Songs make a living web…
New Orleans native, Shantrelle P. Lewis, a United Nations Programme for People of African Descent Fellow, is a multi-hyphen creative and scholar who accesses multiple genres and disciplines to help elucidate African Diasporic history, aesthetics, culture and spirituality. Her directorial debut, in collaboration with GirlTrek, Daughters Of premiered at the BlackStar Film Festival in 2020 and won the Shine Award for Best Film from a Philadelphia based filmmaker. Her celebrated exhibit, Dandy Lion: (Re)Articulating Black Masculine Identity, has exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and Europe. This work led to the publication of Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style, her first book, with Aperture in 2017. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, BBC, Washington Post, Salon, The New Yorker and the Philadelphia Inquirer. She co-founded SHOPPE BLACK with her husband and fellow Howard alum, Tony Oluwatyoin Lawson. In 2016, after their Royal Wedding of Zamunda themed wedding went viral, it was dubbed as "The Blackest Wedding Ever." Shantrelle is also an initiated Lucumi Sango Priest. Also, a self-identifying Hoodooist, Shantrelle can be found waxing poetics about all things African spirituality online at Beaucoup Hoodoo.
Iya Amma Oloriwaa! is the daughter of Mr. Leon Bryan-Iba’ye and Elder Mrs. Mamie Buncamper. She hails from a long line of powerful women including her great grandmother Mamie “Mama” Warnock- Iba’ye a woman who defied the law teaching Black women how to read and write, and who inspires her to this day. A Brooklyn, NY native, she is the founder and Alakoso (Director) of Egbe Iwa Odo'kunrin * Egbe Iwa Odo'binrin Inc, the society of young men and young women of character, Rites Of Passage Program established in 2002 now affectionately known as Egbe Iwa. Iya Oloriwaa! is a traditional singer of African music, a trained African dancer, and a designer of the clothing line Brooklyn SkaRunch Hats, LLC. She is a founding member of the Omo Obatala Egbe, Inc, and Ijo Orisa Yoruba Church,Inc., as well as a member of The Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Dance Africa’s esteemed Council of Elders, Inc. An avid community activist and leader, she has received numerous awards for her tireless and selfless work. She formed Egbe Iwa for the benefit of her 3 children Amma, Kofi, and Oludare, all graduates of the program who are now mentors and workshop leaders. She is the doting and joy filled Gaga (grandmother) of Nnedi- Abena, Drew Moremi, and Amma Oshun Ayo. Iya Oloriwaa!’s Rites of Passage initiative is the first of its kind and has brought a community of people together internationally and generationally. She is honored to be of service and offer opportunities to give youth tools to ensure a better chance of success in life. Egbe Iwa celebrates and honors their transition to a new life status and affirms their place in the world community at large.
Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Ana María Serrano, is a licensed professional counselor and life coach based in Houston, Texas, trained in EMDR and certified in intuitive medicine. She is a multipreneur having founded her coaching practice, Increase Your Bliss, LLC and her private practice Blue Bayou Counseling, PLLC. Ana María is a public speaker, mindfulness instructor, certified trauma professional and couples therapist who is passionate about helping WOC, in particular, to overcome trauma-based challenges in their personal and family lives, as well as earn their first 100k in business through solution-based approaches. She has helped families, individuals, and couples to face their fears, heal generational trauma, improve family bonds, re-organize emotional experiences and improve their lifestyle through mindfulness practices and nonviolent communication skills. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Mind-Body Medicine at Saybrook University as the culmination of an academic career which includes a BS in Psychology from Howard University and MS in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. When she is not supporting her community in healing, she is spending time as close as possible to the ocean with her beloved daughter.
Proclaimed “one of the greatest modern dancers” by Vogue magazine, Brooklyn born dancer Dwana A. Smallwood danced before millions as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show as a part of her “The Best…” series. Smallwood learned to dance at an early age, which led to her tenure as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has appeared on many American television shows including Sesame Street, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Vibe, BK Live, WBLS FM 107.5, ABC 7 NY News, The Kennedy Center Honors and was featured on Oprah’s: Where Are They Now. Smallwood was also featured in American Public Broadcasting’s “Great Performances,” and the documentary “Beyond the Steps.” and appears in the documentary, “A Hymn for Alvin Ailey.” She was featured in Vogue Magazine, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, National Geographic, Girl Scout Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Moves, Essence Magazine and was the second black woman to ever grace the cover of Dance Magazine. In 2005, Ms. Smallwood was celebrated as one of the “50 Most Beautiful New Yorkers” by New York Magazine. Ms. Smallwood, who has spent a lifetime mentoring young people, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Ile-Ase, Brooklyn in 2009 for her continued support of the world’s young women.
Alex Spencer is a priest of Shango who has been initiated for 29 years and been seated as an Oriate for the past 21 years. He is the proud father of a 12 year old girl. He is also an educator who has worked for the New York City Department of Education for the past 28 years, the last 13 of them as a Principal. He is a firm believer in the power of moral leadership in both fields of study. He also believes that as parents, priests and as educators we must strive to give what we were given and support others as we have been supported. As an Oriate he has seated one other African American Oriate and as a Principal he has helped four of his Assistant Principals go on to become Principals in their own right. He considers himself to be a student and teacher of this religion and hopes that through continued work and conversation he can continue to teach and learn from all whose who he interacts with.
Jeanette Williams, MS, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, is an initiate of Oshun in the Lucumi tradition and is the Clinical Director and Owner of Deeper Change: Personal Growth, Therapy & Counseling Group, LLC. Jeanette is a Systemic Psychotherapist Licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy with offices on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and in South Plainfield, NJ and specializes in anxiety, intergenerational reconciliation, family issues, individual, and couples counseling. Prior to Jeanette moving into the therapeutic realm, she taught for the NJ Business Consortium, in conjuncture with Union and Passaic County colleges, providing training and empowerment skills to companies, municipalities, nonprofits and individuals in conflict resolution, communication, team development, and interpersonal skills development. A trained Contextual & Multi-systemic Therapist, Jeanette provides a training ground for students entering the field through mentorship and supervision. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Organizational Psychology. In her work, Jeanette draws from an integrative systems framework while incorporating elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Holistic Therapy, Contextual Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, which collectively promote intergenerational healing and reconciliation. She operates from a place of empowerment and growth and identifies that we all inherently have the right to change, shift, and/or modify our story. Tennent’s of Contextual Therapy, her work is rooted in the belief of fairness, equality, morality, and balance. Several of Jeanette's favorite quotes are “Live your truth, and everything else will follow", “The truth will set you free” and “To know me is to love me”
Amma D. McKen has been a lifelong member of a vibrant community who describe themselves as Yoruba traditionalists or Lukumi, practicing a way of life and religion of West Africa. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, McKen has sung traditional sacred Yoruba music since she was 14 and is recognized as a Priestess of Yemonja. The Yoruba refer to God as Olodumare, as well as deities known as Orisas. Orisa worship was spread to the new world through the slave trade and, in order to preserve their religious traditions against repression, the African slaves matched the Orisas to Catholic saints. McKen holds several roles and titles in Yoruba, including the title of Akpon, a lead singer and officiator for the drumming and dancing celebrations. Akpon is a title held by very few people and is critical to keeping the tradition in place. McKen became the first African American female Akpon to produce a musical recording of the traditional songs, titled Alaako Oso: Owner of the Songs is Eloquent. Sought after to lead Bembes (dancing celebrations) throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean, McKen preserves the traditional songs of Yoruba and helps participants connect with the history and spiritual context of the tradition. McKen is the director and co-founder of Omiyesa, a cultural music group located in New York, where she offers a wide range of apprenticeships, workshops, and lecture- demonstrations in Afro-Cuban and Orisa songs, dance, and music. In 1998, she collaborated with the African American Dance Ensemble, directed by Chuck Davis, and the Carolina Theater to stage the well-received production Cultural Journey Back to the Roots.