Today, we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Duval. Dawn was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented lotus laloba.
Dawn , thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I am a client of Lotus LaLoba. I have been one of Lotus’ clients for over a year now ~ in this short amount of time, Lotus’ guidance, insights, wisdom, encouragement, and care are helping to change my life in ways that are undeniable, powerful, and lasting. As a spiritual health practitioner myself, we need help in navigating our own life so we can be healthy as we do work with people in the greater community. Lotus is a spiritual practitioner’s spiritual practitioner. Recently, I asked Lotus to work with the Black Women staff at the organization that I recently co-founded called Abundant Black Health – Lotus kindly obliged. Staff members are gushing about Lotus’ gentle, strong, meaningful care. Most recently, I asked Lotus to work with my teenage daughter who, historically, is quite unimpressed by sessions with past practitioners. My daughter has said to me, “I get the importance of these sessions, Mom. But I do not like how they expect me to tell them all my business right away rather than us learning about each other, developing trust, and talking like normal, healthy people.” Though they have only had a few sessions, my daughter shared with me that Lotus is better than other practitioners because she allows her to guide the session in a way that feels natural and helpful. I am exceedingly grateful for Lotus’ generosity in sharing Spirit-centered and pragmatic care with me, my daughter and with the Abundant Black Health staff.
Please tell us more about your practice.
MISSION: Abundant Black Health (www.abundantblackhealth.org) is a Black-led, spirituality-based, 501c3 non-profit organization that utilizes approaches based in African Diasporic wisdom and customs to increase the life-long use of optimal health practices by Black People. PROGRAMMING SUMMARY: Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, which amplified the racism that Black People experience in the U.S. healthcare system, Abundant Black Health uses Afro-Indigenous village-based approaches integrated with scientific research results to ensure that Black beloveds help each other to receive loving and effective healthcare. We Got Us. To actualize ABH’s mission, in 2022 ABH staff had health-centered conversations with over 100 Black People to ensure that ABH directly addresses the needs of Black People; 93% conveyed a strong determination to live a healthy life and 87% indicated a need for common sense support, guidance, and resources. In response, ABH: 1) provides village-based support via in-person or virtual gatherings to small groups of 3-6 Black People who self-identify as loved ones; 2) connects the wellbeing of Black People to scientific research results and practices of physical, spiritual, familial, and cultural health that emerges from African Diasporic experiences; and 3) provides resources to support Black health practices (i.e. health journal, yoga mat, incense, sacred crystals). Specifically, ABH programming consists of weekly, 30 minutes-long Health & Wellness in-person or virtual check-ins among small groups of solely 3-6 Black Women and Girls or solely 3-6 Black Men and Boys. ABH’s model supports relational, reciprocal group conversation that encourages self-expression and cultivates trust in individual and collective healing journeys. Monthly ABH mails resources to each participant to support their health practices during the upcoming month. Weekly ABH health experts email the following to participants: 1) a template of questions to help guide the health check-ins; 2) an inspirational health video; 3) an exercise video; and 4) a nutritious cooking video. Through our programming, ABH cultivates sacred space filled with loving encouragement, resources, and expertise from Black health experts all toward addressing the specific health realities and needs of Black People. There is a $25 per month cost to each participant with partial scholarships available. In 2023, ABH will directly serve at least 50 small groups of Black Women and Girls (150-300 participants) and 50 small groups of Black Men and Boys (150-300 participants); if ABH receives significant funding, we will directly serve more Black People. Additionally, since ABH has an email distribution list of 20,000+ people, ABH indirectly will serve 5,000-8,000 Black People through emails and social media posts that promote and provide guidance for healthy, abundant, Black living.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by lotus laloba and LobaLand and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with LobaLand.
I knew that I had to work with Lotus because she is a practitioner who is lovingkind, gentle, wise and direct, holds me accountable, and recommends pragmatic next steps that are effectively, dramatically, and positively improving my life. Lotus has a plethora of tools and wisely selects what I – given who I am and given how i navigate my life – need during various situations in my life that help me be mindful, intentional, and healthy with my thoughts, words, actions and reactions. I feel so much more thoughtful, joyful, and alive now that I am working with Lotus.
Website: www.abundantblackhealth.org
