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Our Leadership Team

Shaping Change and Transformation

Thulani DeMarsay

Director & Senior Faciliator 

Octavia Hendricks

Senior Facilitator 

Melody Chisanga

Community of Practice Coordinator 

Valeria Chambers

Board Member 

Wiwik Bunjamin

Board Member

Tamara Ziba

Advisor

Gina Milton

Board Member

Joseph Feaster, Esq.

Advisor

Doreen Bwalya

Board Member

Mental Wellness Coaching Application

Shanaaz Majiet

Lead Facilitator

Shanaaz Majiet is a seasoned human rights activist with a disability and a person with lived mental wellness experience. Shanaaz was a promising student preparing to graduate high school when she was accidentally shot by a friend. The incident left her in a wheelchair. Throughout her difficult recovery, she persevered, determined to achieve her goals. She has since become a leading voice for the rights of people with disabilities globally, as well as a recognized thought leader. A master facilitator, Shanaaz skillfully and thoughtfully facilitates group processes for individual and collective transformation.


Shanaaz is passionate about fostering inclusive cultures and developing strategic partnerships that enhance organizational effectiveness and sustainability. Her work challenges patriarchy and engages power and agency in organizations to recover from systemic racism, harassment, conflict, and the impact of unconscious biases. Shanaaz is a global Gestalt Organizational Development practitioner, Master executive coach, seasoned process facilitator, coach mentor, coach supervisor, and trainer. She brings an intimate understanding of complex contexts, navigating terrains, building high-performing teams, and transforming dysfunctional behaviors. Her extensive experience includes roles as a senior public servant and consulting on learning and development interventions to help large organizations recover from institutional decline and refocus on global relevance and impact.


Shanaaz earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Cape Town (UTC). She has a master’s degree in Disability Studies from UTC, she is a graduate of the Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government. In addition, she holds a post Graduate Diploma in Organization and Management from UCT.


Shanaaz facilitates several of Sankofa’s trainings and healing circles.

LGBTQIA+ 

This specialized track is designed for LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery, offering culturally responsive coaching tools tailored to the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. To provide participants with a strong foundation, completion of the Recovery Health Coach Training is required before enrolling in this track.

This program empowers participants to support their peers as they navigate substance use recovery and the intersectional experiences of identity, discrimination, and marginalization. Coaches will be equipped with the skills to provide compassionate, identity-affirming, and culturally sensitive support.

Who Is This For?

  • LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery
  • Allies and professionals who wish to enhance their ability to support LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery.
  • Organizations serving LGBTQIA+ populations that want to build culturally competent coaching teams.

Learning Outcomes 

  1. Identity-Affirming Coaching: Learn how to provide compassionate, culturally responsive coaching that honors the unique identities of LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery.
  2. Addressing Intersectionality: Understand how discrimination, marginalization, and identity-based trauma intersect with substance use and how to support individuals in navigating these challenges.
  3. Building Resilience and Empowerment: Develop strategies to foster resilience and empowerment in LGBTQIA+ individuals as they work toward sustained recovery and personal growth.
  4. Culturally Responsive Practices: Gain tools to offer coaching that is sensitive to the cultural, social, and emotional needs of LGBTQIA+ clients, promoting holistic and inclusive recovery.
  5. Supporting Emotional Well-Being: Learn to support emotional well-being by creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard and respected, while staying within the boundaries of a recovery coach’s role.
  6. Promoting Belonging and Connection: Cultivate techniques to foster a strong sense of belonging and community among LGBTQIA+ individuals, helping them build supportive recovery networks.

Program Structure

12 hours of immersive learning, delivered over three 4-hour virtual sessions.

Course Fee

$425 USD

Reentry and Returning Individuals 

The Re-entry & Returning Citizens Track is a self-paced, 15-hour training designed for individuals who want to support those returning home after incarceration. Whether you are a recovery coach, peer support worker, or community advocate, this track will equip you to walk alongside returning citizens with care, cultural responsiveness, and recovery-informed tools. This track centers healing—not punishment—and offers an approach to re-entry that honors humanity, dignity, and second chances.

Why This Track Matters

Every year, thousands of individuals return to their communities after incarceration—often carrying layers of trauma, disconnection, and stigma. The period immediately following release is one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life, with high risks for relapse, housing instability, and emotional distress.

Recovery Health Coaches can play a vital role in walking with returning citizens as they rebuild their lives—offering not only accountability, but authentic connection, non-judgmental support, and practical tools for sustained recovery.

This track bridges recovery work with re-entry support, helping participants understand the unique challenges faced by returning citizens—and how to coach with empathy, respect, and cultural awareness.

Who This is For?

  • Recovery Coaches & Peer Workers
    Those already in the recovery space who want to specialize in re-entry coaching.

  • Community Advocates & Re-entry Support Teams
    People supporting returning citizens through housing, employment, or reentry programming.

  • Formerly Incarcerated Leaders
    Individuals with lived experience who want to formalize their support through coaching.

What You Will Learn

  1. Understanding the Re-entry Journey
    Explore the psychological, emotional, and structural challenges faced by individuals returning home after incarceration.

  2. Trauma-Informed Recovery Support
    Learn how incarceration impacts the nervous system, trust, and identity—and how to support healing through trauma-aware coaching.

  3. Coaching Skills for Re-entry Populations
    Gain tools in motivational interviewing, strengths-based coaching, and structured peer support tailored for justice-involved individuals.

  4. Cultural Responsiveness & Re-entry Equity
    Address the intersections of race, class, gender, and criminal justice in ways that honor dignity and promote inclusive healing.

  5. Building Sustainable Pathways Forward
    Learn to support clients in setting goals related to housing, employment, health, and reconnection—while nurturing emotional resilience and self-determination.

Course Format 

  • Self-paced via Sankofa’s Learning Platform

  • 15 hours of engaging instruction, practical exercises, and downloadable resources

  • Course opens on September 2, 2025

Course Fee

$225 USD

Veterans and Military Personnel 

The Veteran and Military Personnel Recovery Coaching Track, developed by the Sankofa Institute for Collective Wellbeing, is designed to empower veterans and military personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to support their peers facing addiction and substance use challenges. By drawing on the shared experience of military life, this program offers a space where veterans can guide each other toward recovery, focusing on resilience, wellness, and community support.

Why This Track is Important

Addiction and substance use are significant challenges within the veteran and military population, often driven by trauma, stress, isolation, and the complexities of transitioning back into civilian life. This track is designed to offer trauma-informed and culturally responsive coaching strategies that recognize the unique needs of veterans and promote long-term recovery and wellness.

Who Should Attend:

  • Veterans and military personnel who have lived experience with addiction and recovery.
  • Peer recovery coaches who work with veterans and wish to deepen their understanding of military-specific challenges.
  • Providers and professionals who support veterans in addiction recovery settings.

What You Will Learn

  1. Recovery in a Military Context
    Understand how addiction manifests within military life, including the stressors related to service, reintegration, and isolation. Learn how to approach addiction in a way that respects the unique culture of the military, acknowledging the complex issues veterans face such as survivor’s guilt, combat trauma, and the pressure to stay “strong.” Coaches will learn how to address these issues with empathy and authenticity, helping peers navigate the transition back to civilian life.
  2. Addressing Trauma and Addiction in Military Populations
    Learn how to support veterans in exploring the root causes of their addiction, including service-related trauma, PTSD, and grief. Coaches will be trained to use trauma-informed approaches, offering a safe space for veterans to process their experiences and reduce emotional triggers that may lead to substance use.
  3. Building Emotional and Mental Resilience
    This module focuses on strategies to help veterans reconnect with their emotions in a healthy way, fostering mental resilience and emotional intelligence. Participants will learn how to help veterans cope with emotional triggers, stress, and anxiety using practical tools for emotional regulation.
  4. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
    The high-stress nature of military service leaves many veterans in a heightened state of arousal, making it difficult to relax or disengage from hypervigilance. Learn how to introduce mindfulness practices that help veterans calm the nervous system, manage anxiety, and reduce stress.

Program Structure 

This track consists of three 4-hour virtual sessions 

Course Fees

$425 USD

Global Citizens 

The Recovery Coaching Track for Global Citizens & Diaspora Communities is a self-paced, 15-hour training designed to support individuals and families navigating the emotional and spiritual impacts of migration, displacement, and cultural transition—including those directly affected by substance use and addiction.

This offering is especially relevant for immigrant populations, refugees, and diasporic communities who may carry layers of trauma related to loss, resettlement, and systemic exclusion. Participants will gain trauma-informed and culturally responsive tools to support healing, resilience, and connection in a way that affirms identity, honors lived experience, and uplifts the whole person.

Why This Track Matters

Global citizens and diaspora communities often face unique challenges—displacement, language barriers, cultural loss, and systemic inequities—all of which can contribute to increased vulnerability to substance use and emotional distress.

Individuals from countries like Haiti, Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, and the Caribbean may experience these challenges in distinct ways, shaped by historical trauma and structural marginalization.

This training offers recovery coaches and community leaders the skills to meet these experiences with compassion, understanding, and cultural fluency—empowering participants to become anchors of trust and healing in their communities.

Who This Is For

  • Peer Coaches & Recovery Support Workers
    Looking to expand their skillset to serve global and immigrant communities more effectively.

  • Community Advocates
    Supporting newcomers, refugees, or migrant families through health and wellness initiatives.

  • Health Professionals & Frontline Workers
    Seeking to enhance cultural responsiveness in their recovery-oriented practice.

  • Individuals with Lived Experience
    Who want to guide others through recovery using shared experience and cultural understanding.

What You Will Learn

  • Substance Use & Recovery in Global Communities
    Effective, culturally rooted approaches to support recovery in immigrant and diaspora populations
  • Integrating Culture in Recovery Coaching
    Honoring language, faith, values, and cultural practices as healing tools in recovery journeys.
  • Supporting Emotional and Mental Health
    Recognizing trauma tied to migration and loss, and coaching with emotional awareness.
  • Reducing Isolation & Building Trust
    Tools to address language gaps, social stigma, and systemic barriers to care.
  • Fostering Empowerment & Agency
    Supporting individuals to reclaim dignity, choice, and voice on their healing path.
  • Creating Pathways to Stability
    Coaching around housing, employment, and community connection as foundations for recovery. 

Course Format 

  • Self-paced through Sankofa’s Learning Platform

  • 15 hours of flexible content, including reflection tools and real-world coaching applications

  • Begins September 2, 2025

Course Fee

Offered at no cost  until January 3, 2026.
(Standard course value: $225 USD).

This offering is made possible through Sankofa’s commitment to accessibility. While there is no fee to participate, we warmly welcome donations from those who are able, to help sustain and expand this work for others.

Interfaith Community 

Rooted in compassion. Guided by faith. Informed by cultural humility.

The Interfaith Track for Recovery Coaching is a self-paced, 15-hour training designed for individuals in faith communities who are committed to responding to addiction with wisdom, empathy, and cultural awareness. Whether you are a layperson, clergy member, minister, or a faith-based counselor, this track will equip you with the tools to offer meaningful support to those struggling with addiction—anchored in both spiritual care and recovery-informed practices.

Why It’s Important

Addiction touches every community—including our faith communities. And yet, many spiritual leaders and members feel unprepared to meet this crisis with the confidence, compassion, and cultural sensitivity it calls for.  This track fills that gap.  It empowers you to show up with both heart and skill—offering guidance that is trauma-informed, spiritually grounded, and culturally responsive. When faith leaders and community members are equipped in this way, they become powerful bridges of hope, trust, and healing.

Who Is This For?

  • Lay Leaders & Spiritual Volunteers
    Those who support their faith communities and want to respond more skillfully to addiction-related needs.

  • Ministers, Clergy & Faith Leaders
    Those offering pastoral care and guidance who want to integrate recovery coaching into their work.

  • Faith-Based Counselors
    Formal or informal counselors providing spiritual and emotional support in religious settings.

  • All Faith Traditions Welcome
    This training honors interfaith values and is open to participants from all religious, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds.

What You Will Learn

  • The Role of Faith in Recovery
    Understand how faith and spirituality support healing by offering meaning, purpose, and hope.
  • Cultural Responsiveness in Recovery
    Learn to navigate diverse identities with humility and respect, ensuring inclusive, affirming care.
  • Core Coaching Skills for Faith-Based Contexts
    Learn recovery-informed techniques including motivational interviewing, strengths-based care, and trauma-informed approaches. 
  • Spiritual and Emotional Integration
    Explore how to weave pastoral and spiritual support into your coaching without bypassing psychological realities.
  • Tailoring Support to Your Community
    Adapt what you’ve learned to fit small groups, one-on-one pastoral care, or congregational programs.
  •  

Program Structure

  • Self-paced via Sankofa’s Learning Platform

  • 15 hours of instructional content, reflection exercises, and tools you can apply immediately

  • Course opens on September 2, 2025

Course Fees

$225 USD

Sankofa Recovery Coach Application

Partner with Us & Invest in a Coach

What Your Investment Covers:

  • Cost of the 5-day in-person program, including breakfast and lunch
  • 3 weeks of online learning to reinforce skills
  • Ongoing mentorship and skill-building support
  • Membership in the Community of Practice, ensuring continuous learning and growth
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Donation Total: $425.00

Octavia Hendricks

 

Octavia Hendricks is a Senior Facilitator at Sankofa with over 15 years of experience in facilitation, training, and transformational learning. A person in long-term mental health recovery, she integrates lived experience with professional practice, focusing on healing-centered engagement, self-development, and community well-being.

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, she facilitates workshops, retreats, and trainings throughout Africa and the United States. At Sankofa, Octavia delivers courses, co-facilitates the community of practice, and provides mentorship and coaching to members. She also co-facilitated the first recovery coach training for participants in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Octavia is also the Founder and CEO of Osun Rise Group, an organization that designs regenerative travel and leadership experiences rooted in land, culture, and community. Drawing on more than 20 years of international experience in coaching, facilitation, and cultural tourism, she collaborates with leaders, organizations, and rural communities across Africa to advance regenerative agriculture, agritourism, and human development.

Her work is grounded in a commitment to shaping leadership and development practices that uphold dignity and long-term well-being.

Octavia is a graduate of Healing Hands Wellness Institute in South Africa where she earned a Diploma in counseling and psychotherapy. She holds a coaching certificate from Transformation Academy based in Florida.

Sankofa Recovery Health Coach Application

Cornell Coley

Cornell Coley, M.Ed., is an award-winning percussionist, dancer, teacher, and public performance artist whose work spans performance, community development, education, and health. Drawing from the rich drum and dance traditions of West and Central Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, and the USA, Cornell creates vibrant and transformative experiences. He is a trained HealthRHYTHMS drum circle facilitator and is certified by the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild.

Cornell has received numerous local and national grants and awards from esteemed organizations such as the Mass Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, The Boston Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. His academic contributions include teaching Afro-Latin dance at ten major colleges. As the founder and director of the Afrika Gente Music Project, he collaborates with top local musicians and artists across various genres.

Recent projects produced and performed by Cornell include “Rhythm Recipes: BIPOC Joy and Healing” (2022) and “An Evening in Ghana” (2023). Upcoming in 2024 are “Rhythm Recipes-Sankofa” and “An Evening in Brazil,” promising to continue his legacy of cultural enrichment and community healing.

To learn more about Cornell and his work, please visit

Introduction

“Explore the profound and far-reaching effects of collective trauma in our ‘Collective Healing’ workshop. Delve into how trauma impacts groups, societies, and generations, moving beyond individual experiences to a broader understanding.”

Key Benefits

  • Gain a deep understanding of the nature and impact of collective trauma.
  • Analyze real-world case studies and historical events for insights into collective trauma patterns.
  • Develop empathy and learn vital skills for supporting community solidarity and healing.
  • Discover practical strategies to engage in and facilitate collective healing processes.

Detailed Description

In “Collective Healing,” participants will embark on an exploratory journey through the dynamics of collective trauma. This workshop takes a comprehensive look at how traumatic experiences affect not just individuals but entire communities and societies. By examining historical events and cultural narratives, attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of how trauma is shared and perpetuated across generations. The workshop’s focus is not just on understanding these dynamics but also on harnessing the power of community for healing and resilience. Participants will be equipped with tools and strategies to foster empathy, solidarity, and active engagement in collective healing efforts.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is ideal for community activists, educators, mental health professionals, and anyone with an interest in social justice and community work.

Introduction

“Explore the profound and far-reaching effects of collective trauma in our ‘Collective Healing’ workshop. Delve into how trauma impacts groups, societies, and generations, moving beyond individual experiences to a broader understanding.”

Key Benefits

  • Gain a deep understanding of the nature and impact of collective trauma.
  • Analyze real-world case studies and historical events for insights into collective trauma patterns.
  • Develop empathy and learn vital skills for supporting community solidarity and healing.
  • Discover practical strategies to engage in and facilitate collective healing processes.

Detailed Description

In “Collective Healing,” participants will embark on an exploratory journey through the dynamics of collective trauma. This workshop takes a comprehensive look at how traumatic experiences affect not just individuals but entire communities and societies. By examining historical events and cultural narratives, attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of how trauma is shared and perpetuated across generations. The workshop’s focus is not just on understanding these dynamics but also on harnessing the power of community for healing and resilience. Participants will be equipped with tools and strategies to foster empathy, solidarity, and active engagement in collective healing efforts.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is ideal for community activists, educators, mental health professionals, and anyone with an interest in social justice and community work.

Introduction

“Explore the profound and far-reaching effects of collective trauma in our ‘Collective Healing’ workshop. Delve into how trauma impacts groups, societies, and generations, moving beyond individual experiences to a broader understanding.”

Key Benefits

  • Gain a deep understanding of the nature and impact of collective trauma.
  • Analyze real-world case studies and historical events for insights into collective trauma patterns.
  • Develop empathy and learn vital skills for supporting community solidarity and healing.
  • Discover practical strategies to engage in and facilitate collective healing processes.

Detailed Description

In “Collective Healing,” participants will embark on an exploratory journey through the dynamics of collective trauma. This workshop takes a comprehensive look at how traumatic experiences affect not just individuals but entire communities and societies. By examining historical events and cultural narratives, attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of how trauma is shared and perpetuated across generations. The workshop’s focus is not just on understanding these dynamics but also on harnessing the power of community for healing and resilience. Participants will be equipped with tools and strategies to foster empathy, solidarity, and active engagement in collective healing efforts.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is ideal for community activists, educators, mental health professionals, and anyone with an interest in social justice and community work.

Alexandra Creamer

Alex bio details

Wiwik Bunjamin-Mau

Wiwik is a certified Psychosynthesis Life Coach and a dedicated mystic activist, deeply committed to facilitating safe spaces for both individual and collective trauma healing. She encourages individuals to tap into their inherent intelligence, creativity, and wisdom. With a longstanding commitment to spiritual exploration, Wiwik serves as a guiding “midwife” in the rebirthing journey of others, supporting their transformative paths with empathy and insight.

Throughout her professional career, Wiwik has been immersed in the field of community development, with a keen focus on advocacy and active engagement with marginalized groups. Her extensive experience encompasses project management across various initiatives aimed at community strengthening and empowerment.

Tamara Zibo

Tamara Ziba is a visionary business leader, mental health advocate and founder of companies in various sections including technology, logistics, plant-based foods, fintech and event management.

Despite encountering financial obstacles in her early years, she overcame these obstacles by attending college for accounting and business in night school and working jobs during the day.  Tamara faced a setback with a failed startup at the age of 24 but transformed it into a learning opportunity. Undeterred, she successfully established a diverse portfolio of ventures, now employing over 150 team members, predominantly young Zambian women, across her different enterprises.

Tamara actively promotes mental health awareness within her organizations, integrating weekly professionally facilitated mental health sessions in her organizational culture and emphasizing the importance of a supportive work environment. She has personally faced mental health challenges, overcoming depression and anxiety after experiencing miscarriages. Tamara is a qualified counselor, using her training to help both herself and the community.

Her commitment to mental health extends to charity work, where she supports individuals facing financial challenges. Tamara’s faith guides her actions, believing that God orders her steps. As an advocate, she destigmatizes mental health issues and encourages seeking help.

Tamara possesses essential skills in communication, empathy, active listening, facilitation, cultural sensitivity, and evaluation. Her dedication to mental health and compassionate leadership helps empowers members of her community to prioritize mental well-being for holistic success.

Joseph D. Feaster

Joseph D. Feaster, Jr., Counsel at Dain, Torpy, Le Ray, Wiest & Garner, P.C., has established himself during his more than 45-year legal career as one of the deans of the Boston bar. Since his time as the Chair of the Boston Zoning Board of Appeal, Feaster has become one of the City’s most prominent development and permitting attorneys. His practice also encompasses general real estate and licensing, corporate, litigation, employment and labor law, and probate.

Feaster practiced at McKenzie & Associates, P.C. and at Wynn & Wynn, P.C. before joining Dain Torpy. Feaster is also President of Feaster Enterprises, a strategic planning, organizational development, and community outreach consulting firm.

Additionally, Feaster previously served as the court-appointed Receiver for Roxbury Comprehensive Community Health Center for 5 years, as the Interim Town Manager of the Town of Stoughton, as President of the Massachusetts Community and Banking Council (MCBC), Acting Director of Real Estate for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Interim Administrator of the Boston Housing Authority (one of the largest public housing authorities in the country), Assistant Secretary and General Counsel in the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Administration and Finance, Associate Counsel in Prudential Insurance Company’s Northeast Home Office, and as an attorney at the National Labor Relations Board’s Boston Regional Office.

Feaster currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM); as an Executive Committee member of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Inc. (MAMH); and as an Advisory Board Member of the Samaritan, Inc. He previously served as President of the Boston Branch NAACP, as vice chairman and board member of Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP), as Speaker of the House of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), as a board member of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (MLCHC), as a board member of Dimock Community Health Center, which tenure included serving as board chairman and as the Center’s Interim President, and on the Executive Council of the Massachusetts AARP.

DOREEN BWALYA

Doreen Bwalya is an innovative leader with experience leading organizations for non-profit and providing business insight to local development challenges.  A proactive, adaptable and passionate leader with over sixteen years’ experience in both private and Non- Governmental Organizations in Zambia and South Africa.  She possesses an in-depth understanding of project management and influenced not only the organization’s trajectory but also shaping social development change; she strived and dedicated her career towards fighing injustice in some parts of Zambia and made a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most, especially the women and girls.

 

 Doreen is an eloquent speaker and passionate about development. She exhibits high levels of stewardship in managing resources well.  Until recently, she served as Country Director for an international Organization; HOPE worldwide Zambia and she was a Board Member under different management for several years. The NGO serves Vulnerable Children and Orphans as well as Women Empowerment.

Valeria Chambers

Valeria Chambers is a Certified Peer Specialist, and a person in long term mental health recovery.  She is a Sr. Community Researcher at the Health Equity Research Lab, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), and a Research Consultant for the Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital.  In the spring of 2023, she began consulting regarding the integration of Recovery Coaches and Certified Peer Specialists at Cambridge Health Alliance’s Community Behavioral Health Center.  As the founder and lead facilitator of Black Voices: Pathways4Recovery, Valeria realizes the importance of providing a lived experience, racially aware, diverse, equitable and inclusive lens to mental health service engagement and community based participatory research.  Her primary goal is to address barriers to care and quality of life facing people of racial, ethnic or culturally minoritized status, who are seeking help for mental health, trauma and substance addiction. 

 

Valeria holds a Master’s degree and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University. She is a member of the State Mental Health Planning Council, a former fellow for the Center of Mindfulness and Compassion, CHA, and has completed a 6-year term as co-chair of the Department of Mental Health, Multicultural Advisory Committee. Valeria is a curriculum consultant for the Recovery Education Collaborative, teaching a course she co-designed: Mental & Wellness for Recovery Coaches and other Peer Workers. 

 

Valeria has additional education and training in Psychological Anthropology from the University of Chicago, and World Religions and Pastoral Counseling from Harvard Divinity School.  She contributes over 2 decades of experience providing peer support services and peer support training to individuals who have or are receiving treatment in mental health systems.  Valeria brings a community stakeholder perspective to behavioral health interventions that are being developed in collaboration with people from various communities along with behavioral healthcare and criminal legal systems.

 

In her spare time, Valeria enjoys music, foreign movies, yoga, playing with friends with fur, as well as finding more ways to tone the vagus nerve.

Gina Milton

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Thulani DeMarsay, Ph.D. 


Founder and Chief Impact Officer


A Boston native, Thulani is the visionary founder and dedicated Chief Impact Officer of the Sankofa Institute for Collective Wellbeing. She is a person in long-term recovery from substance use and mental wellness issues, devoted to supporting others on their recovery journey.

 

For close to a decade, Thulani was as a senior facilitator and consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). She delivered trainings for the peer recovery community throughout the state, provided mentorship and coaching for the statewide team of facilitators, contributed to the creation of a statewide recovery coach learning community, and developed comprehensive curriculums and training materials.

 

Thulani’s personal journey and her consulting work revealed a significant gap in services and education tailored to the experiences of people of African descent, which inspired her to establish Sankofa Institute, which aims to provide high quality, culturally responsive learning experiences that empower the recovery workforce and community-based organizations with a keen focus on communities of color.

Thulani also serves as senior faculty at Cambridge College, where she teaches courses on brain health, self-care, and employee wellness.

 

Educational Background:

  • BS in Psychology, Cambridge College
  • Master of Management Degree in Leadership & Organizational Dynamics, Cambridge College
  • Master’s Degree & PhD in Human Development, Fielding Graduate University
  • Diversity & Inclusion Certificate, Cornell University
  • Certificate in Alcohol & Drug Counseling, University of Massachusetts, Boston
  • Recovery Coach Certificate,  Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)

resilience

We celebrate the power of resilience, believing in the strength of communities and individuals to overcome challenges, expand their capacity, and thrive with hope.

INDIGENOUS Wisdom

We honor the wisdom passed down through generations and draw from it to guide our actions. We recognize the importance of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge in promoting healing and well-being.

ancestral

Holistic recovery refers to an approach to healing and wellness that considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than focusing solely on specific symptoms or ailments. In the context of health and well-being, holistic recovery recognizes the interconnectedness of various aspects of an individual’s life and seeks to address the root causes of issues rather than merely alleviating symptoms. This approach often involves a comprehensive and integrated approach to treatment, incorporating various modalities such as traditional medicine, alternative therapies, psychological support, and lifestyle changes. By recognizing the importance of mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being alongside physical health, holistic recovery aims to promote overall balance and harmony in an individual’s life.

Holistic recovery extends beyond the realm of physical health and can be applied to various aspects of personal development and self-improvement. It emphasizes the idea that true healing involves nurturing all dimensions of a person’s being, fostering a sense of wholeness and interconnectedness. This approach encourages individuals to take an active role in their own well-being, engaging in practices that support not only their physical health but also their mental and emotional resilience. Holistic recovery recognizes the inherent complexity of human existence and acknowledges that true wellness is achieved through a harmonious integration of all facets of life.

Innovative Approaches

We are forward-thinking, striving not only to meet the current challenges but also to reliably predict and prepare for the future. By staying at the cutting edge of solutions, we ensure that our efforts remain effective, relevant, and impactful.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the heart of Sankofa Institute. We believe in the interconnectedness of all individuals and communities. We embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which reminds us that ‘I am because we are.’ It guides our actions, fostering unity, compassion, and shared responsibility.

empowerment

⁠We empower individuals and communities to take charge of their well-being. Through education, resources, and support, we inspire people to discover their inner strength and create positive change.

Holistic

Holistic care is at the core of Sankofa Institute’s approach. We recognize that well-being encompasses mind, body, and spirit. Our holistic perspective ensures that we address the complete health and healing needs of individuals and communities.

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