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.

Octavia Hendricks, a person in long-term mental wellness recovery, brings over 15 years of experience as a seasoned facilitator of transformational learning experiences. She skilfully facilitates self-development and self-discovery workshops across South Africa and the United States. As a senior facilitator at Sankofa, Octavia leads training sessions and facilitates healing circle gatherings, creating spaces for both healing and personal growth.

Facilitating the process of deep connection and exploration within the context of self and wellbeing, Octavia not only joins communities to enhance our call to purpose, but also advocates being an active participant within the process of life.

Octavia’s journey serves as a bridge between the corporate world and the spiritual sphere, demonstrating the power of integration and synergy. She provides a distinct perspective to her work, fusing strategic thinking with spiritual reflection to promote holistic wellbeing on both an individual and organisational level. The idea that genuine empowerment originates from within is the cornerstone of Octavia’s philosophy. As an inspirational speaker, she encourages audiences to have a closer relationship with themselves and the outside world by connecting to their inner wisdom. She draws from her vast experience as a Wellness and Spirituality specialist in corporate organisations in Southern Africa and internationally, , unapologetically bringing Love back into the boardroom. She is well-versed in the fundamental concepts influencing our reality through her extensive study of energy and human consciousness, which enables her to mentor others into higher states of awareness and fulfilment. Her all-encompassing approach to wellness includes fostering adaptability, self-awareness, and inner peace in addition to symptom relief, enabling people to flourish in all spheres of their lives.

As the Program Manager for Sankofa, event brings a wealth of experience. She is an experienced early childhood development specialist with a strong background in health and education. She holds an NQF Level 5 Diploma in Early Education Development (EDC) and a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Unicaf University. Yvette is a trained Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) Life Coach with Achology: The Academy for Modern Applied Psychology, and she has received Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training in Education Institute Management from Unicaf University and Nutrition and Health Advisor training from The Nutrition Network.
Armed with extensive experience in health and education, Yvette took the TEDxYouthCapeTown stage in January 2023 to amplify her social impact by uniting her love for education, food, and nutrition. She re-addressed something that has long been resting on our plates and added a bold dash of imagination as to how we could better promote good health in African regions.
Having worked with multiple communities across Africa and international organizations and spearheading initiatives aimed at community development, Yvette has a comprehensive understanding of program development and implementation specifically designed to aid the reformation of African public health and education systems. She leverages her skills and talent in resource distribution to adaptive strategies that meet the evolving needs of communities of color.
Additionally, Yvette is an alumna of the prestigious Mamandla Fellowship. She is deeply motivated by her strong determination to contribute to the circular economy development of African communities, which resonates greatly with her personal and professional aspirations. From a young age, she has been driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This passion comes from watching her mother and her mother before her take care of their community, inspiring her to specialize in education and health management within the non-profit sector.

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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 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.

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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.

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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 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.

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Nhlanhla is a certified NLP Coach known for her exceptional organizational abilities. She has recently achieved her International Gestalt Organisational Leadership Development (IGOLD) Certificate, demonstrating her commitment to personal and organizational growth. With a Master of Science in Construction Project Management from the University of Natal, Durban, Nhlanhla brings a strong educational foundation to her work.

Compassionate and driven, Nhlanhla is dedicated to serving humanity, particularly the vulnerable, voiceless, and underprivileged. Her impactful contributions include service to the Impact Community Trust, an organization established by the Hatfield Christian Church to uplift disadvantaged communities. Nhlanhla excels as a change agent, fostering individual transformation and guiding organizations toward achieving their transformational goals.

Her current practice revolves around assisting individuals and organizations in aligning their intentions and aspirations with tangible goals, making her an invaluable asset in the field of personal and organizational development.

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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)