pronouns: she, her, hers

Self-care is love. Eradicating negative social determinants of health is justice.

Faith’s life's mission is to creatively support the wellness of communities through self-care and mindful leadership. Her focus is the intersection of integrative health and spiritual formation through a womanist and racial equity lens.

Faith is the Founder and Owner of Syncretic Wellness. A cancer survivor, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 21. Supported and influenced by the love of her family, friends and West Indian heritage, Faith bravely added “alternative” healing practices into her treatment plan, beat cancer and remains in remission. Influenced by the impact the healing practices had on her own health recovery Faith became an Integrative Chaplain. She believes true wellness is integrated- a balance of physical, mental and spiritual health.

For over 20 years, Faith’s worked with diverse communities throughout the US and internationally. A licensed minister, certified RYT- 200hr yoga teacher, Reiki I level practitioner, and certified in Medical reiki; Faith’s also trained in Mind-Body Medicine, essential oil therapy and as an Integrative Therapist through the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program. She is currently working towards chaplaincy board certification.

Faith believes doing this work should be fun, inspire artistry and flexibility as we honor individuality. Using this framework, she’s served thousands, conducting workshops with community based and national organizations, self-care workshops and healing circles; and as a public speaker staunchly advocating for health equity. Faith is a founding member of Bending Towards Justice, a company creating more inclusive yoga spaces by educating yoga teachers on racial equity and inclusion.

A proud New Yorker with Barbadian roots, Faith resides in Brooklyn. Want to learn more about building your own mindful leadership practice? You can contact her at faith@syncreticwellness.com or visit her website at www.syncreticwellness.com.

pronouns: she/her or they/them

As the founder and CEO of Zelah LLC, I am a consultant, educator and healing artist that believes true holistic wellness must be rooted in healing, social and racial justice. With a belief in universal human interdependence and that every person has an essential connection with nature, my offerings focus on both individual development and healthy group engagements.

I am a professional facilitator, trained in Mindful Facilitation, Unlearning Racism and as a Circle Keeper. My foundation is as an educator with an extensive background with youth and adults in community organizing and education and program development, implementation and facilitation that began over 25 years ago. My work journey begun as a community health educator with a focus on the LGBTQ communities, youth development, and sexual violence prevention and awareness. I have worked with numerous organizations, including the American Red Cross, Minneapolis YWCA, and University of Minnesota.

As a healing artist, I draw from my experience and education as a Licensed Massage Therapist. I am certified in Prenatal Massage and trained in Western and Eastern modalities including Shiatsu and Abhyanga. They have curated wellness spaces for national conferences with over 1000 attendees, lead and co-created healing circles for organizations, health care workers and small groups. I also work with individuals to support wellness and self-care to guide them on their holistic self-care journey.

My work is open to all that see the importance of holistic wellness with a focus on loving Blackness and working with LGBTQIA+ communities of color.

I also serve as faculty and as a clinical supervisor at Pacific College of Health Sciences (formerly Pacific College of Oriental Medicine).

Carla Gaskins-Nathan is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist. Carla Gaskins-Nathan is a certified member of Associated Massage and Bodywork Professionals (ABMP) and a Professional Member of the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild (HSCG).

Learn more at www.zelahllc.com.

pronouns: she/her or they/them

Kara is the founder of Liminal Spaces, LLC, a leadership coaching and professional services firm that provides custom support to clients transforming their culture to better reflect and value their people. She has more than two decades of experience working in public policy, advocacy, leadership, and organizational development.

Kara has worked with more than 30 organizations and trained more than 5,000 people in equity frameworks for application in their personal and professional lives. They hold an ACC credential with the International Coaching Federation and are certified in Results Based Accountability methodology. A neurodivergent leader with a superpower for creating order from chaos, Kara’s sweet spot is working with people and teams who are open to both systems work and individual development.

Prior to founding Liminal Spaces, she directed the program portfolio at CommonHealth ACTION, a national public health organization. In that role, Kara was an original architect of the Culture of Health Leaders national program center, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a three-year leadership development program for leaders from all sectors who seek to build a culture of health. Kara was also one of four original developers and master trainers for a two-day equity, diversity, and inclusion curriculum focused on intersectional approaches that is now delivered in both in-person and online formats. She also worked as a research analyst in civil rights law and policy. At Unidos US, she led the research and data agenda to assess ways in which to build policies and practices that responded to the health and nutritional needs of Latine, immigrant, and mixed-status families.

Kara earned their Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Wheaton College, Massachusetts, and Master of Public Policy degree from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She lives in North Carolina with her rescue dog and hiking companion, Chispin.

Learn more at www.liminalspacesllc.com.

pronouns: she, her, hers

As Community Liaison at the NYC Office of the Mayor since May 2024, Carlene amplifies mayoral outreach efforts across various community-based organizations, workforce development programs, local business improvement districts, NYCHA developments, Chambers of Commerce, and educational institutions, with a special focus on the Brownsville/East New York area.

During her time at CUNY BMCC, Carlene demonstrated outstanding leadership as President of the Student Government Association and as Co-Chairperson of the BMCC Association. She was also actively involved with the CUNY USS Board of Trustees for Diversity, Inclusion, and Minority and Women Business.

In addition to her public service and finance roles, Carlene contributed to academic and business excellence as a Research Associate with the CUNY Research Foundation and a Supplemental Instruction Leader at BMCC. Her entrepreneurial spirit shines through her work as a Small Business Owner and Wellness and Self-Care Consultant.

Carlene’s academic prowess is highlighted by prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the Marc and Ruti Bell Public Service Scholarship, NYU Gallatin Americas Scholar, and Truman Scholarship Finalist. Her notable achievements also include the BMCC Vice President for Student Affairs Award and the Blackstone Launchpad Female Entrepreneur Award.

pronouns: she, her, hers

I am a licensed therapist, Reiki Master, Kemetic Yoga instructor, and meditation teacher. My approach is rooted in mindfulness, self-compassion, trauma healing, and connection to nature and ancient traditions. I help clients reclaim wellbeing and restore their knowing of themselves through therapy, Reiki, yoga, self-love, and ancestral connection.

With a foundation in clinical research and nearly a decade of impactful work with the NYC Health Department, I dedicated myself to addressing health disparities in central Brooklyn, specifically focusing on health equity issues and racial disparities. My extensive experience in research and population health unveiled the intricate interplay between environment, stress, and health outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for healing in my community and beyond.

Amidst my own challenges of overwork and unresolved trauma, I discovered a transformative path to self-restoration. Seeking solace in yoga, I found a grounding force that provided stability amid life's chaos. This practice became my anchor, initiating the healing journey for my body, mind, and spirit.

Driven by a thirst for knowledge, I delved into mindfulness and immersed myself in literature on healing and personal development. Nature became my sanctuary, offering therapeutic walks and hikes. Gratitude lists, laughter, and rediscovering joy marked the slow but steady recovery. Embracing self-care, learning to say no, cultivating new friendships, and actively loving myself were pivotal milestones.

My journey toward holistic well-being incorporated diverse modalities, including holistic nutrition, herbal medicine, Reiki, and meditation. Collaborating with skilled instructors and healers, I navigated these transformative practices with gratitude for the invaluable lessons each challenge presented.

Introduced to Reiki as a complement to my healing journey, I initially approached it skeptically. However, the profound shifts in my mood, energy, and sleep quality after just a few sessions dispelled my doubts. Embracing Reiki as a student, I received training and attunements, making it an integral part of my personal wellness and healing arsenal. Sharing this sacred practice with friends, family, and clients has become a source of immense joy.

In 2017, I embarked on a journey into Kemetic yoga, culminating in a 200hr yoga teacher training with Yirser Ra Hotep Lawrence, founder of the Yoga Skills School of Kemetic Yoga. This profound experience accelerated my spiritual and personal development, setting the stage for sharing these life-transforming tools as a yoga instructor.

My commitment to holistic care led me to pursue a Masters in Social Work at Columbia University, graduating in 2023. As a therapist, I draw on my personal journey, education, and clinical training to create a practice centered around holistic care, self-compassion, and empowerment.

Today, I find fulfillment in continuously evolving as both a healer and a learner. Acknowledging that my own transformative journey is ongoing, I approach each day with humility and gratitude. It is my sincere privilege to support others on their paths of healing, growth, and awakening.

For more information, visit www.shalemaulana.com.

pronouns: she, her, hers

A graduate of the Swedish Institute Health and Science College in NYC, Khadija practices Therapeutic massage through an approach that focuses on relaxation as a tool for easing pain. Khadija noticed that her female clients shared similar concerns: body issues, safety concerns, stress and anxiety, self connectedness and the list goes on. No matter their career or relative wealth, each client had various needs. Acknowledging these needs, Khadija and her partner Ade Collman designed Life Wellness Center to offer their clients a safe place to relax, build on and begin again. 

Khadija's belief is that an empowered life is one that can be lived with the familiarity of touch. This belief guides her practice. She brings an intuitive caring demeanor into every session, a place of trust and calm. Her professional experience range from spas to medical offices and a growing clientele of people recovering from injuries, and chronic physical and emotional pain.

To learn more about Life Wellness Center, visit www.lifewellnesscenter.com. To learn more about Khadija's work, check out linktr.ee/Khadijatudor.