the gathering of us
center for encouragement
leave a message of encouragement or share a resource,
and connect with our inaugural cohort.
the gathering of us
introducing: inaugural spring cohort
meet our visionary healers, attorneys, organizers, writers, doulas, and retired engineers — building nonprofits, novels, congressional campaigns, and consulting practices, and reclaiming the freedom to become more fully themselves. all of it in service of liberation. all of it toward a greater vision.
amora
she/her
amora is a sound healer and founder of Sound of Love, based in northern california. she contracts with school districts to teach children sound healing, mindfulness, and meditation. she creates the profound and safe space she needed as a child. in the gathering of us, she is working to grow her program to more districts.
jamilia
she/her
jamilia is a historic preservationist, an educator, and a writer, currently based in texas, with jamaica as the home of her heart. with an expertise in storytelling, she is here to fortify the foundation for her multi-faceted career, work through her blocks, and grow more intimate with herself, god, and her people.
jack
he/him
jack is a retired civil engineer and project manager from colorado, now settled in reno, nevada. during his career, his postings that took him everywhere from a caribbean island to the north slope of alaska to afghanistan to the grand canyon. he brings a lifetime of wisdom, a love of journaling, and a hunter s. thompson philosophy about living a life "thoroughly used up."
lauren
she/her
lauren is a civil rights attorney based in new york whose work centers police accountability, criminal justice, and systems change. lauren leads with warmth, grace, and a quality of attention that makes people feel genuinely seen. she is at a threshold moment, beginning to witness just how powerful she is, and stepping more fully into that power in every area of her life.
mackenzie
they/them
mack is a community organizer and artist based in sacramento, california whose work lives at the intersection of frontline activism and creative practice. they are currently managing a congressional race, organizing a community mural project with mutual aid, and creating block print art they plan to bring to a makers mart this year. they are here to find the balance between fire and rest.
naomi
she/they
naomi is a spirited writer, educator, and alchemist from chicago with mississippi blood, currently living in new orleans, louisiana. she cultivates soft places for black folks to land. she also authors The Pleasure Archive, recently published her chapbook the clearing: a black girl collecting her bones, is four months from a first draft of her debut novel, and was selected to workshop the manuscript with abode press and tin house.
ryan
he/him/fam
ryan is a social justice, equity, and systems-change consultant, with Clayborn Consulting, based in elk grove, california. his work spans nonprofits, public sector agencies, racial equity coalitions, and entrepreneurs, all in service of liberatory systems for marginalized communities. he describes himself as a community-oriented empath. he is here as a student of life, learning to trust himself fully, and dream boldly.
yanique
she/her
yanique is a spiritual facilitator and writer, publishing as The Hearth on substack. she is based in southern california, specializes in womb wellbeing, and supports women on their fertility journeys toward motherhood. she offers classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions, and is currently building an online community and her first womb wellbeing event.