How we can help you achieve cultural wellness

The Cultural Wellness Movement! 

#theculturehasthecure

This is how we approach everything! It is a way of thinking and a way of life,

This movement starts a wave in our area and throughout the country that encourages people affected by bias to remove our focus from the external or political distractions including the focus on traumatic events and look within to find healing and recovery in our strengths and in each other. The movement also provides community education about recovery from bias and its effects.

We have turned our attention away from other people's opinions about who we are and what we need, including politics and the news, so that we can find healing and recovery in our strengths and each other. Let's educate ourselves and others about bias and its effects. Participate in Cultural wellness activities and events including the Community Think Tank, Path to Cultural Wellness Workshops and Retreats, The Rites of Passage, AFFIRM Recovery meetings, Wellness Reach Out Days, publications, and more. 

The Rites of Passage 

Historically, African cultures marked movement through life in various ways, including celebrations of passage from one stage of life to another. Five key passages were identified: Birth, Adulthood, Marriage, Eldership, and Ancestorship. By reclaiming our historical rhythms and collaborating as a community to address contemporary issues that did not exist in ancient cultures, we contribute to our healing and claim our personal and community power. 

We assist the community developing and implementing personalized celebrations of passage:

Welcome to the Planet- we assist African children in starting out their lives prepared for all the things that they will face by moving their welcome beyond the traditional baby shower and instead providing a full toolkit for success through community-based resources.

Rite of Adulthood (Promise of To- we recapture the importance of marking the passage from childhood into adulthood by ensuring that African youth are almost fully self-sufficient, clearly focused on what they need to do for their future and equipped to step into their highest version of themselves.

Rite of Life Partnership through Marriage- we assist people preparing for life partnership to have a solid understanding of what it takes to be successful in living a life of commitment to another. We assist the couple in acknowledging and being prepared to live up to their responsibility to each other, their families, the community, and future generations.

Rite of Eldership- we assist elders who have lived a life of responsibility, commitment and service to embrace the transition from adulthood into the revered status of Elder. We support them as they define ways within this new role to share their wisdom and expertise to help the community govern itself in ways that are far more effective than those provided by entities or values less familiar with historical values, generational trauma and effects, and future needs.

Rite of Ancestorship- we assist the community in accepting the spiritual transition of community members into the beyond and the process of identifying, claiming and incorporating the qualities, achievements and abilities that the ancestors have left behind as a beacon for growth.

 How often have you, as a descendant of Africa, been asked to participate in research about how you are affected by bias, and what our society can do to create positive change?  If you're anything like us, the answer to that question is NEVER.  Doesn't that make you wonder how effective solutions are being crafted if no one ever asks the person-on-the street what's needed?  There do exist think tanks that focus on our issues, and their vital work helps shape policy in this country.

The Think Tank is an open group of community members who meet at least quarterly to discuss concerns that need closer examination by the people most affected. Together, the group identifies issues that need further exploration, then composes a tool to collect information from the community about what is truly going on and what solutions are needed. We then publish the findings and begin to craft solutions and recommendations. 

The Community Think Tank’s first study was around economics. A representative sampling discussed the depths and deficits of knowledge around how money works, how to build generational wealth, and more.

The next issue that the community identified was a collective longing for the presence of the elders in the community. Out of this concern, we began to move forward in creating the South Florida Council of African Elders. The Council will, sharing its wisdom and lived experience, carve out paths and processes that employ traditional solutions and free us from overreliance on governmental or law enforcement regulation to solve our problems.

AFFIRM Recovery creates path to sustainable healing from the effects of bias and unhealthy attachments to a substance, behavior or activity for people of African descent affected by these conditions, and those who love them. At each gathering, participants gain insights about coping skills, recovery process and personal and Cultural Wellness. 

For people at other stages of healing, ask about our highly personalized, confidential, and discreet Life Recovery Coaching for people, families and communities who are seeking freedom from the crippling impact of a life affected by bias, an unhealthy attachment to a behavior, substance, or activity such as alcohol or other drugs, sex or relationships, food or a sedentary lifestyle, shopping/things or money, or any other coping mechanism used to 'escape the matrix'. Coaching is provided where you are: in your home/your life/your family & support system. 

Reach Out Saturdays- in a committed effort to raise awareness among people who might never hear about our work or use our services, we collaborate with other organizations to visit economically or socially disenfranchised communities where people of African descent live, work or play. Together, we make all aware of the vast resources that are available to promote healing and growth and provide easy access to use our services.

African Elder Corps- Elders who have undergone the Rite of Eldership who perform community service including giving support to foster parents who are caring for children of African descent.

Workshops and Retreats

We conduct a variety of workshops and retreats focusing on the detox from the virus caused by the effects of bias. 

Coach Training

Train with us to become a Cultural Wellness Coach. If you're a person with lived experience, complete your training and practicum hours with us, and we'll help you achieve state certification as a Recovery Peer Specialist (state guidelines apply).