Yeye Luisah Teish is an initiated edler (Iyanifa) in the Ifa/Orisha tradition of the West African Diaspora and she holds a chieftaincy title (Yeye’woro) from the Fatunmise Compound in Ife Ife, Nigeria. She grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River, in a community whose elders maintained centuries’ old stories and traditions. For forty years, Luisah has been inspiring and facilitating the survival of these practices and creating a bridge to African spirituality through ceremony, counseling, theatre, and writing, including the classic Jambalaya: The Natural Woman’s Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals. Learn more

Angelique “Sobande” Moss-Greer received her healing traditions first from her great-grandmother, who was a traditional herbalist. Sobande is a leading advocate for holistic health and wellness repatriation in the African-American community. She teaches internationally as well as at her school, Natural Choices Botanica School of Herbalism & Holistic Health.

Rafael Ocampo is one of Central America’s leading ethnobotanists. He has written numerous books over the past 30 years, including his most recent on the important Afro-botanical plant, Quassia amara. Through his work with TRAMIL and other international organization, Rafael has been an advocate for documenting, validating and disseminating the Afro-botany of Costa Rica.

Wilfred Cornwall is a local Afro-Costa Rican herbalist, who serves his community and its visitors in the traditional way of his grandmother and mother before him. Wilfred’s knowledge represents a fusion of African and Native American ethnomedicine that was passed down through generations. His story shows us the true challenge of traditional healers in a modern world and their need to adapt their practices if they are going to save their ancient art form from disappearing.