Dr. LaVerne Gyant is director of the Center for Black Studies and professor in Counseling Adult Higher Education at Northern Illinois University , where she teaches classes in both adult/higher education and Black Studies. She's a staunch advocate for her students and is committed to the survival of people of color. LaVerne is also a Priestess of the Sacred Feminine Mysteries , Reiki Ase Practitioner and designs and creates healing pillows. She's the mother of one son David Anthony, and surrogate mother to many many students.

 

Brenna Jones is one who is guided by the ancestors and The Great Mother to promote and assist healing within mother Earth. She is a daughter of Osun and a Priestess of the Sacred Feminine Mysteries . Brenna has studied Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine, and is a certified yoga instructor and Reiki master. She is currently working on a Master's degree in Environmental Psychology at the University of Wisconsin .

Aisha Shakti Hakim is a Priestess of the Sacred Feminine Mysteries and is very passionate about honoring our sacred body temple as an instrument for healing and the transmutation of energy. She is a gifted vocalist, sound healing practitioner and licensed massage therapist. Shakti is also a special education teacher in her home town of Brooklyn , NY.

Matt Branstetter is a Licensed Massage Therapist and instructor in Fundamentals at the Lexington Healing Arts Academy in Lexington , KY.   He is interested in the relationship of massage techniques to other bodywork modalities and has studied extensively in Martial Arts, Yoga and Zen meditation.  Matt has a Masters degree from the Lexington Theological Seminary and is an adjunct professor in World Religions at St. Catherine College .

Robyn Hardy is a Licensed Massage Therapist and instructor in Ethics and Fundamentals at the Lexington Healing Arts Academy in Lexington , KY. She brings an eclectic mind, body and spirit approach to her work with her clients. In addition she has extensive training in Cranial Sacral therapy and the holistic Hawaiian Lomilomi, which is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of healing massage. Robyn is currently studying the Essence of Yoga with Amanda McMaine and is one of the Sacred Body Temple Midwives at the Institute of Whole Life Healing .

Whit Whitaker - has performed in England, Spain, France, and Canada, and throughout the United States as a classical soloist, a performer of Negro Spirituals and as an ensemble member of several choral groups, including The Lexington Bach Choir and the American Spiritual Ensemble, which he has been a member since 1997and tours nationally and internationally with at least twice a year. He also plays many regional and local venues performing musical theatre, theatrical plays, and operas.

Dr . Mfundishi Obuabasa Serikali is the Founder and Executive Director of the International Tai Chi Health Research Institute and The Kiamshaa Meditation Temple, a non-religious based temple in Louisville , KY. He has taught Martial Arts & Sciences for over 40 years, and has dedicated his life towards educating the community about African Culture and the African Diaspora.

Angela Bond , more affectionately called " Songbird ", is a native of Jackson (West), TN.  She is a naturally gifted vocalist and writer, with an interest and emphasis on sound and energetic healing. Songbird is also a Reiki Ase Master, Priestess of the Sacred Feminine Mysteries , and recently initiated into the priesthood of Oshun, the Orisa/Goddess of love, joy, beauty, harmony, artistic expression, creativity, fertility and feminine power.

The Society of Inner Arts is an institution built upon Maat (A house of wisdom). It is a community of Afrakan men, women and children, learning their culture. The Brothers (warriors) of the Society are all Martial Arts instructors, and are also a warrior dance team under the Master instructor Baba Farid who is also a Master Djembe player, drum maker, and the musical director for the group.

Craig Herink is a teacher, counselor and men's work leader following his path into the Sacred Masculine for the last two decades. His work integrates Depth, Developmental and Experiential psychology with the intuitive guide of emotion and "spirit mind". He‘s cofounder of The ManKind Project™ Kentucky and a Certified Training Leader in The ManKind Project International leading men's personal growth intensives throughout the US, Canada and Europe since 1996. Craig has extensive clinical experience working with men's issues, couples and families and maintains a private counseling practice in Louisville , KY. He is married with two stepdaughters.

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Elder Wisdom Keeper Round Table Panelist

•  Baba Koleoso Karade is well known and respected for his willingness to follow his spirit's direction and his soul's timeless wisdom. After two near death experiences he answered the call to shamanism and the priesthood order of his enlightened ancestors. He is also the CEO of the Institute of Whole Life Healing and the author of several books.

•  Jim Kirby is a retired faculty member of the Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington Kentucky . Jim has been an active volunteer worker and teacher conducting workshops and tutorial programs for urban youth. In addition he and his wife Marian spend their time donating and providing food at the Catholic Action Center , a local shelter for the homeless.

•  Jim Embry is always saying “and what about our future?” His most familiar action is to quietly “get busy” with the work to be done that he was called to do by his ancestors generations before him. Jim is a founding member of Lexington 's Good Foods Coop and has been instrumental in the movement to resurrect African Cemetery No.2, and to this day is still a dedicated community and environmental activist.

•  Steve Kay is a founding partner of Roberts & Kay, Inc. a research and organization development firm established in 1983. Steve also co-founded the Lexington Citizens Summit in 1995 and was a recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Bluegrass Chapter, National Conference for Community and Justice.

•  Arnold Gaither has worked for 28 years for the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. Since 1974 he's involved himself in social, economic and political issues that impact the African American Community. The issue that he has cared most passionately about is education.

•  Chester Grundy is the Director of the University of Kentucky 's Office of Multicultural Student Programming and is the founder and first director of UK 's Martin Luther King, Jr Cultural Center. He is also the co-founder of Lexington 's Roots and Heritage Festival and with the support of his wife Ann, provides the artistic vision for the annual city-wide celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr, Holiday Celebration co-sponsored by UK and the City of Lexington .

•  Don Offutt has been committed to the education, empowerment and upliftment of people of color for over 30 years. He's been a beacon of light for countless young people who otherwise would have been lost in darkness. He is an assistant professor in the School of education at Kentucky State College. Don is also a third degree black belt, champion for the oppressed and a serious student of war.

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