Poet Alice Walker has described culture as something in which one should thrive; further, that healing means putting the heart, courage, and energy back into one’s self within one’s own culture. Similarly, the “yes, yes ya’ll,” phrase, used by classic 1990’s-era hip hop DJs and artists, evokes the passion and enthusiasm in Black culture. Written with that same celebratory spirit—and using the idea of culture and soul synonymously—this book encourages the exploration of the ways in which integrating soul with contemplative practices can foster healing and restoration on both individual and collective levels, expanding our understanding of leadership and community interaction and impact. With years of experience in higher education and as an elder, mentor, and teacher living in Senegal, the author surveys race-based stress and trauma, community-building, the importance of ancestry, and the elder-mentor role.

Phyllis Jeffers-Coly is a healing artist and long-time higher ed practitioner. She and her husband founded Diasporic Soul, which offers healing and restoration experiences for Black people, including heritage travel and healing-centered leadership development for Black college-aged youth in Senegal, West Africa.

Phyllis Jeffers-Coly
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2021
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8474-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4463-9
Imprint: Toplight