Cocoa Butter and Communion

Curating the Right Within Experience with Jenée Johnson

Heeyyy Village! This week, I had an engaging conversation with the lovely Jenée Johnson shares the importance of mindfulness in addressing trauma and promoting racial healing. Jenee emphasizes the need to reclaim joy and humanity through her Right Within Experience program, which aims to empower people of African ancestry through mindfulness. She emphasizes the need for a liberatory lifestyle rooted in self-love and healing, and how this can empower individuals, particularly women, to flourish in their lives. 
Jenée Johnson, is an innovator in the fields of mindfulness, trauma and racial healing. She initiated and led the unique effort to bring mindfulness and HeartMath into program practice at the San Francisco Department of Public Health where she recently concluded a 21-year career.
At her core Jenée is a champion and accelerator of human flourishing.
Her work has been featured in various publications, including Mindful Magazine-where she is a regular contributor and where she has been recognized as a leader and agent of change in the mindfulness movement.
Jenée is the founder and curator of The Right Within Experience, a mindfulness immersion program that heals racial harm and reclaims humanity, joy, and wellbeing for people of African ancestry through mind/body practices. Jenée Johnson is a professional co-active coach and certified teacher in mindfulness and emotional intelligence based on the latest neuroscience. She is a certified Heart Math trainer, Emotional Emancipation Circles Facilitator (Association of Black Psychologists) and certified to teach Femme! A meditative movement and wellness modality for women.
Jenée is a keynote speaker, workshop curator, coach, and consultant with Sankofa Holistic Counseling Services and NTU Wellness Center in Oakland, California. She is an ordained minister and Reiki III practitioner.
Jenée is a native New Yorker with Caribbean and Southern roots. She resides in Oakland,California.
 For more information about Ms. Jenée visit: 
www.jeneejohnson.com
www.rightwithinexperience.com

Walking a New Path: A Conversation with Dr. Tiffany Mimms

Hey Village! This week, I spend time engaging in conversation with Dr. Tiffany Mimms. Dr. Mimms shares her journey as a clinical psychologist and life coach, focusing on empowering professional women of color. Dr. Mimms reflects on her transition from psychology to coaching, emphasizing the importance of community and support for black women. She highlights the differences between therapy and coaching, the lessons learned as a black woman entrepreneur, and her views on liberation. 
Dr. Tiffany Mimms, Ph.D., CPC, is a certified life and executive coach, licensed psychologist, and organizing specialist dedicated to helping women create the lives they desire. She focuses on guiding professional women of color to achieve success and satisfaction in both their work and personal lives.
After five years in private practice, Dr. Tiffany founded The Rosetta Center for Counseling andWellness, Inc., in 2013 named in honor of her grandmother. Inspired by her grandmother Rosetta’s selfless contributions to their family and community, Dr. Tiffany often wondered, “Who supported Grandma?” This led her to create The Rosetta Center as a space where Black women could be seen, validated, and encouraged to care for themselves while building lives filled with purpose and meaning.
Dr.Tiffany combines her professional expertise with lived experience to help high-achieving women of color tackle issues such as work-life balance, stress, burnout, productivity, intersectional oppression, and relationships. Her coaching approach focuses on clarifying what truly matters to you, articulating your vision, and creating strategies to help you achieve your goals and live according to your values.
With over 20 years of experience in psychotherapy, coaching, consulting, training, teaching, supervising, and research, Dr. Tiffany has worked in various settings including non-profits, higher education, and large corporations. She is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and consultant, specializing in topics such as Trauma-Informed Care, Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace, Self-Care, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
Originally from Southern California, Dr. Tiffany now resides in Sacramento with her husband, three children, and their dog, Butter. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, organizing, and throwing over the top parties for her kids.
Schedule a call for coaching here: https://calendly.com/dr-tmimms/desiredlifediscoverycall
Visit the website for The Rosetta Center for Counseling and Wellness: https://therosettacenter.com/ 
 

Liberation and Authenticity on Your Own Terms: A Conversation with Marilyn Julia Brown

Heeeyyy Village! Cocoa Butter and Communion is back and I am back with my lovely guest, Thee Marilyn Julia Brown! In this episode her and I discuss her progressive Catholic upbringing, the role of spirituality in therapy, cultural identity, and disordered eating and its impact on Black women. Our loving dialogue emphasizes the need for therapists to protect their peace while navigating chaotic times and the quest for liberation. 
Marilyn Julia Brown is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, registered yoga teacher, writer, musician, and energy healing practitioner located in Southern California. Marilyn firmly believes in the liberation of all beings and works specifically to liberate Black folks across the globe because she believes none of us are free until we are all free! Her offerings are culturally and LGBTQ+ affirming and Marilyn is committed to decolonizing the mental health field and wellness spaces to bring true equity across all marginalized populations. Marilyn utilizes her talents for writing, music, and speaking to cultivate spaces for healing and liberation. She firmly believes true healing must address the mind, body, and spirit and her mission is to connect each person her work touches to the powerful well of healing energy that lives within them to promote collective healing across the planet.
Marilyn Julia is reading "The Witching Hour" by Anne Rice 
I am still reading "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson (the book is long but so good) and a bunch of articles for school. 
Marilyn Julia's contact Information 
Email: marilyn@amindfulwaycounseling.com
A Mindful Way Counseling & Consulting (Virtual practice 
www.marilynjulia.com
www.amindfulwaycounselng.com
www.liberatedwell.com
 
Social Media
 
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marilynjulia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilynjulia_is/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindfulmarilyn
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marilynjulia_is
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynjulia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amindfulwaycounseling
Podcast: anchor.fm/blackmessymindful 
 
 

Liberation through Travel: A Conversation with Royal Williams

Hey village! My Nia sister, Queen Royal is here! She is new to my village and I am glad that she is on the show sharing about her experiences globe trotting, by her doggone self. She shares about her experiences of living abroad, being a migrant-not an expat, and her reasons behind her reason to leave the United States. She shares about being treated as a Black woman in other countries and discussed this concept of American privilege when globetrotting. She has even convinced me (as of this show's recording) to give scuba diving a chance (we'll see LOL). 
Royal Williams started her travel journey in 2010 after spending a transformative year in Spain, where she immersed herself in the vibrant culture and mastered the Spanish language. Upon her return to the US, she was gripped by wanderlust, but because her college friends often lacked the time or funds to join her adventures, Royal discovered solo travel.
In 2013, two weeks after graduating from an HBCU, Oakwood University in Hunstville, Alabama, she took her passion a step further by moving to Bogota, Colombia to teach. Using her summer vacations to backpack around the world, Royal became adept at navigating new landscapes, staying in hostels, and even Couch surfing. During her travels to 51 countries and time living on 4 continents, she found that many women expressed difficulties making friends at home, but she noticed she consistently found meaningful connections while traveling. This compelled her to start her company Yup! She Travels, a company that curates cultural experiences for Black women. Currently, the experiences focus on AfroColombian culture in Medellin, Cali, and Cartagena Colombia. Additionally, driven by her enriching experiences abroad and her educational background, Royal founded Yup! We Travel with the mission to provide meaningful culturally immersive experiences and internships in Colombia for university students. Royal's own experiences studying and interning abroad during college profoundly shaped her worldview, and she is passionate about offering similar opportunities to help others grow and thrive.
After 7 years as an English and Spanish teacher between Colombia and the US, Royal decided to pursue her longtime dream to be a Psychologist and received a Masters from Pepperdine University. She currently works in the research lab of Dr. Shelly Harrell. In this lab she discovered Liberation Psychology. Royal is interested in the well-being of Black women when they leave the US, and would like to research that. She plans on pursuing a doctoral degree in Psychology. 
Follow her on IG @yupshetravels
https://www.yupshetravels.com/
Tik Tok: yup.shetravels
 

Empowerment through Self-Care and Reflection: A Conversation with Dr. Cecile Gadson

Hey Village! This episode, I am chatting with one of my newest comrades, Dr. Cecile Gadson. We are Nia sisters from Costa Rica (we talk more about what that is on the episode)! Our conversation explores the experiences of Black women and girls, particularly in academic and professional settings and the need to address historical legacies of anti-Blackness and implement effective interventions to facilitate healing from race-based traumatic experiences. Dr. Gadson also highlights the significance of joy, laughter, and community in the liberation of Black women. 
Dr. Gadson, is a staff psychologist and African American/Black student specialist at theUniversity of Oregon’s counseling services (University Health Services). Her primary clinical interests include trauma, discrimination-based stress, depression, family concerns, women’s wellness, mindfulness, religion/spirituality concerns, and multicultural/Black psychology. She is a certified Sawubona healing circle trainer and facilitator. She is also trained in soulfulness mindfulness, a BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) focused mediation under the scholarship of Dr. Shelly Harrell. As a scholar, she researches the gendered racial microaggression experiences of Black girls. Given her training from a Scientist-Practitioner-Advocate model, she believes it is important to not only integrate multiculturally competent research, clinical practice, and social justice advocacy for her clients in the therapy room, but also advocate for social issues that impact clients outside the therapy room. She finds justice and joy in creating and co-creatingprotected and empowering healing spaces for Black folx. She is a proud McNair scholar, an active member in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Association of Black Psychologists, and APA’s division seventeen.
Dr. Cecile is reading All About Love by bell hooks 
I am reading the Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bombara 
Follow the show on IG @groundedrootscollective 

Reproductive Health and Our Bodies: A Conversation with Dr. Akiba Green

Hey Village, the doctor will see us now. In this episode, I am chatting with Dr. Green to discuss the importance of sharing reproductive health information within our families and our communities. Dr. Green emphasizes the need for comprehensive sex education and the importance of understanding one's own body and how to address the anxiety about going to the gynecologist ("You're going to put what where?"). She also gives recommendations for preparing for these visits. The conversation also touches on the disparities in black maternal health and the need for women to feel safe and empowered in their healthcare decisions.
Dr. Akiba Green is a Board-Certified Osteopathic Obstetrician/Gynecologist who has over 20 years experience with women's health issues. Dr. Green provides care for women of all ages, before, during and after their pregnancies. She is guided by the values of compassion and respect, while delivering continuity of care to patients—from initial assessment to operational procedures.
Follow the show @groundedrootscollective this is the home of the podcast, as well as Grounded Roots Therapy Collective. 
 
 
 

Stories from our Soul with Imani Mitchell

Imani Mitchell is back and it feels good to catch up! Her and I discuss quitting jobs (y'all, don't just go and quit your job and then put that on us) and the freedom that can come from it; navigating an artistic space, and ALL THEE AWARDS that she received from her dynamic production of Zora and Langston. Imani discusses the power in the diverse storytelling that go well beyond the narrative of Black resilience. Imani is directing a new play, "Crumbs from the Table of Joy" that will debut October 11th!! (I am going to the thea-tuhhh) 
 
Imani is a multidisciplinary artist based in Northern California who specializes in writing, directing, and acting. For the past 10 years, she has worked as a professional actor and is the founder of the film production company IAM Studios. Authenticity in storytelling is crucial to Imani's work as an artist and she strives to produce projects that introduce new narratives and experiences. 
 
Imani is currently reading "When we were Colored" by Eva Rutland and I am reading, "The Salt Eaters" by Toni Cade Bombara
 
For the summer, Imani has been listening to "Empath" by Willow Smith and I have been listening to "Mad Love" by Infinity Song. 
 
Check out Imani's website www.imanimitchell.com and follow her on IG @imaniakika for all things related to ALL she is doing. 
 
Check out Crumbs from the Table of Joy on October 11th at Celebration Arts in Sacramento, California 
 
 
 

Cocoa Butter and Communion is bizaaaack

Heeyyyy Village! Y'all, it is SEASON 3 of Cocoa Butter and Communion! Village, I was acting like I was in the 4th grade, on summer vacation, eating up all the snacks... running up all the electricity. It felt good to break. I want that for ALL of us. This episode is giving you the updates in my own life, including leaving my 9-5 job, and sharing about the importance of building community (in my perspective, of course 😊). 
I am reading "The Salt Eaters" by Toni Cade Bombara (amazing read!) 
Follow the show on IG @groundedrootscollective 

Mindfulness for All. FOR ALL.

Hi Village! It's just me this week, chatting it up about mindfulness, listening to "Euphoria" and "Not Like Us," wrapping up the son's school year, starting my summer session, and transitioning into a new role in my life. 
Enjoy the episode. Love y'all. 

Helicopter Moms? We're Fine with That (Insert Jordan Shrug): A Conversation with Niambi Lewis

Hey Village! Happy May! Happy pre-Mothers Day for y'all who celebrate yourself as mamas or you celebrate others as mamas. 
One of my favorite people stops by and we ask ourselves, is being a helicopter mom such a bad thing? Or is it the epitome of loving your kids? My guest, Niambi Lewis, and I talk about raising our sons, the relationship we have with them, and becoming the mothers that we are proud of. We also share about relationships changing and rediscovering self. She also beat me in Black Trivia but it was close. We both put up a fight (the game went multiple rounds). 
Niambi Lewis leads the Perinatal Equity Section at which houses the Black Infant Health Program, Perinatal Equity Initiative, two programs designed to support Black women and birthing people in having healthy pregnancies.   For over 20 years, she has been employed by the State of California with over a decade of that service working within departments in the Health and Human Services Agency, supporting her desire to work for programs that serve communities most impacted by the effects of structural racism.  She is the mother, wife, sister and daughter to some of the most AMAZING people in the world.  A self-sorted Ravenclaw, she loves all things Harry Potter, concerts and traveling.  An ideal day would include reading a good book while taking a bubble bath.
Niambi is reading a book that has 59 parts to it and it is an almost Harry Potter themed book. 
I am reading "We Should All Be Millionaires" by Rachel Rodgers
Follow the show on IG @groundedrootscollective and check out my new website www.groundedrootscollective.com here you will find show videos (hopefully soon), information about therapy, and so much more :).