WHAT IS ORI?
PART 2
The Power of
Expanded Awareness
for Liberation
ORI is one's destiny, purpose or calling; it is your sacred inner head; it symbolizes the individual's essential nature. Join our traditional leaders in a thoughtful conversation in learning and analyzing the essentiality of being aware as the art of the mind, to a more expanded awareness and critical analysis.
MEET THE PANELISTS
Solagabde Popoola, Babalawo
Was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Have been a Babalawo for 40 plus years. Married with children he continues to practice Ifa as a Babalawo and travels around the world giving lectures on various topics of the tradition along with giving readings,
performing rituals and ceremonies, and initiations.
Lorelei Williams
Poet and philanthropic strategist. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund. Has 15+ years experience advising non-profit and philanthropic organizations in the U.S., Brazil, and South Africa. Graduate of Yale and Harvard universities.
Ayoka Wiles
Philanthropist & Cultural Strategist. Leader of organizational and program development for arts, culture, education, youth development, and social justice organizations. Advocate of spiritually and
culturally centered organizations that support communities of the African Diaspora.
Jochi Melero Ifádoñí Oshitolá (Babalawo)
Director, Cinematographer, and Photographer at Nostrom Moving Images. He is known for his inquisitive and frontal portraits/landscapes that show
a profound testimonial of understanding and connection with the world around him, as well as photographs in international publishings for
celebrities, architecture, fashion, food, fine art, landscape and environmental portraiture.
Chief Baba Neil Clarke
Award-winning master African-centered percussionist, educator, band leader, producer, and independent scholar. Introduced into Yoruba Orisa traditions since the age of 13. An Arts Educator since the 1970’s, honored with a Scholar-in-Residence Fellowship at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
José Rodríguez Agboola
Was born and raised in San Diego, CA to a Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian parents. After working for 11 years as a school psychologist, he decided to dedicate his life to practice as an Awo full time in 2014.
Alex Lasalle
Past Master of St. Cecile Lodge #568, Grand Lodge of the State of New York - is a spiritual healer, musician, songwriter, and proud father of his children and countless religious godchildren throughout the world. A recognized soulful Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban singer with a near-photographic memory, Alex is a master in the folkloric roots drum tradition known as Bomba.
Marta Moreno Vega
Recognized globally as a scholar, producer, activist, educator, author, professor and Yoruba priestess. Second Director of El Museo del Barrio, Founder of Caribbean Cultural Center and African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), Founder and President of Creative Justice Initiative, and Co-founder of Corredor Afro.
MODERATOR
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