Keynote Speaker
Iya Kemba Mchawi

Iyalorisa Kemba Mchawi, aka Sister Kemba is the author of Growing Up Yoruba, a book for teens and parents in the Yoruba Lucumi religious tradition and is the eldest daughter of esteemed Ile Ase matriarch Oseye Mchawi. Sister Kemba has 34 years of Yemonja and is also a revolutionary pan-Afrikan socialist.

Her recent social activism includes co-founder of Water for Justice, a social justice organization which formed three summers ago during the George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery protests, in support of the struggle for justice and equality for Afrikan people.

Sister Kemba is also chairwoman of the Uhuru Sasa Alumni Collective, a network of alumni who attended Uhuru Sasa Shule, an African-centered independent school in Brooklyn, New York in the 1970’s and 80’s. Sister Kemba was also founding president of Oloshas United Atlanta, a branch of Oloshas United, which served as an educational network of Yoruba Lukumi practitioners throughout various cities in the United States, and other places.

Currently, Sister Kemba is completing a second master’s degree in Africana Studies at Georgia State University. She takes pride in working closely with new and veteran spiritual leaders and cultural activists in the community, and networking with like-minded people about Afrikan diasporic history, education, and liberation.

Facilitator: Baba David Sosa (Oshun priest/Lucumi)
Topic: Orisa: Purpose and Connection to Community Development

David Sosa is a medical professional and seasoned vocalist. He is a workshop leader, Oluko/Mentor, and has served as the Mentor Coordinator for men in the EI program. He is an author of several books on spirituality and conducts live podcasts addressing issues within the LGBTQ+ community and the Orisa religious community.

Facilitator: Baba Richard Onque (Obatala Priest/Lucumi)
Topic: Orisa Community Board of Ethics and Mediation

Richard Onque is a highly experienced Spiritual Advisor, medium, practitioner, and instructor with a remarkable career spanning over 25 years. As the proud owner of an independent Black-owned business, he specializes in communicating with Spiritual Guides, conducting Spiritual investigations, and imparting knowledge in the realm of spiritualism. His expertise extends to tarot, goal setting, elements, and various religious practices. Richard offers a range of products and courses, including meditation CDs, all designed to enrich the spiritual journey.

Moreover, Richard has dedicated more than two decades to practicing as a Priest of Obatala within the Yoruba/Lucumi tradition, overseeing a substantial number of initiates. In the professional world, he boasts a career history with Fortune 500 companies that spans over 20 years. Throughout his corporate journey, he has held diverse roles, accumulating invaluable experience in management, leadership, development, recruitment, and training.

His ultimate mission is to guide individuals in discovering their life’s purpose and fostering personal growth. Richard firmly believes in the transformative power of manifestation, exemplified by his mantra: “So Say It, So Be It.”

For more information, please visit his website: (https://linktr.ee/guidancebyrichard) or reach out via email at (mailto:hello@guidancebyrichard.com).

Facilitator: Linda Marshall
Topic: Certification of Priests As Godparents And Spiritual Guides

As a career and life coach, Linda draws on an extensive corporate career that leverages a combination of coaching, leadership, and mentoring experiences to support my client’s success. Her practice is devoted to leaders and entrepreneurs focused on developing their leadership and management skills to maximize success, and individuals focused on personal and professional transformation.

She meets clients where they are and serves as a co-pilot in guiding them to the best version of themselves, as coaching is a partnership focused on creating a roadmap to success. She uses assessments, goal setting, and powerful questions in support of the client’s goals.

Her clients have included employees from Fortune 500 corporations, small to medium-sized companies, non-profits, and entrepreneurs. Although their experiences appear varied, there was a common desire to revamp their careers and lives.

Education And Training

Associated Certified Coach; International Coaching Federation
Certified Meditation Instructor; Deepak Chopra Institute
Mental Fitness Coach; Positive Intelligence Model: Shirzad Chamine
MBA in Management; Pace University
BA in Psychology; Pennsylvania State University

Facilitator: Jason Williams (Elegba Priest/Lucumi)
Topic: Envisioning an Empowered Orisa Community

Jason Williams (Esu Oni Okan) was born in Harlem, New York, to Maurice Luther Williams (Ocha Bi – Iyebaye) and Barbara Ann Gill Williams (Shango Lade). Consequently, Jason and his brother Jonathan were born and raised in a Yoruba household and community. He was initiated to Elegba on June 17, 1995, by his Godmother Jannice “Ayolua” Fenner (Eguine Bi – Iyebaye) and his Achabone Julien King (Ogun Bae De – Iyebaye).

In 2018, Jason traveled to Nigeria with his friend and mentor Baba Joe Quinones (Obakania). Joe’s mother, Marjorie Quinones (Sango Gumi), was his mother’s godmother and the first priestess to put elekes on Jason and his brother. The Quinones and Williams families have a long history of closeness in life and religious practice. Iya Keke Quinones (Osun lade) is Jonathan’s godmother, and Jason’s father and Baba Joe’s father were childhood friends.

Jason holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, and an MBA from Emory University. Jason lives between NYC and Atlanta is the single father of two teenagers who are also growing up in Orisa with Olorisa parents. Jason believes that growing up in the New York Yoruba community during the 80s and 90s was a communal, transformative, and powerful experience. He looks forward to applying his unique experiences and professional skills to the success of the Sango Gunmi Orisa Community conference and the Orisa CDC.

You can learn more about Jason’s professional profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwilliams77?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app