Sacred Activist, is a wife, mother, and grandmother. A traditional Yoruba priestess, Afin chief and member of the Egbe Moremi, National African Women’s Society in the Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village, located in Sheldon SC.. North America’s oldest, authentic African community, Sangoma met Oyotunji’s founder and Father of the Cultural Restoration movement in 1969 at the age of 12. A Sangoma speaks of a tribe of healers and diviners with indigenous gifts of ancestral medicine from South Africa. Sangoma graduated from Clark University, Worcester, Mass in 1977 with a BA in Theatre Arts, After a 20 year career in broadcast journalism , television, radio and cable…life presented the opportunity to explore shamanism, women’s history, movement, pan-Africanism and Wise woman Traditions. Sangoma has taught at numerous summer camps and Earthskills gatherings, including as Director and primary instructor for 180 “at risk” youth between 9-14 in the Camp Champion, summer program in Thomson, Ga. Sangoma has more than 30 years in her priesthood, female rites of passage programs, women’s wisdom councils and weekend empowerment retreats. An artist, facilitator, and cultural preservationist, we are honored to have Sangoma’s leadership.

Kapi`olani A. Laronal, MA, Ed. is a descendant of the Haida/Tsimsian tribes of Alaska, Native Hawaiian, and Filipino. Her experiences working with Native communities on ocean and land restoration projects, cultural preservation and protocols have played a significant role in shaping her personal and professional life. She is an educator, athlete, life coach, and consultant who teaches Indigenous approaches to positive change by using traditional teachings and knowledge to support transformation and growth.

Iya Tahirah is a Mississippi Born great-grandmother, an activist, initiated priestess in the practices of Ifa religion, storyteller, spiritual teacher, healer, diviner, and Shamanic practitioner.  

She has earned a BA in Social and Cultural Anthropology, and Certification in cross-cultural Studies at Purdue University. She received Certification in Gestalt Psychology at the Gestalt Institute of Indianapolis, and international Consultancy from Professional Women Network. 

Iya Tahirah has extensive knowledge in indigenous practices and has spent over 30 years of studies and research in weaving together a lost connection to her African ancestry.   

Among her many teachers, she had studied with Michael Mead and Madonna Some’ And she is the co-author of Emotional Wellness for Women, a publication, by Professional Women Network.  She is a seated Elder with the Vermont Willingness School, and the founder of St. Croix virgin Island Council of Elders. 

As a teacher and practitioner, she offers spiritual retreats, Vision quest, Metaphysical teachings and consultations.