We Got Soul, We Can Heal: Overcoming Racial Trauma Through Leadership, Community and Resilience

by Phyllis Jeffers-Coly

Overview

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 in Black American culture. Written with that same celebratory spirit—and using the idea of culture and SOUL synonymously—this book explores of the ways in which integrating SOUL (culture) with contemplative practices can foster healing and restoration, expanding our understanding of leadership and community interaction and impact. With years of experience in higher education and as a mentor and teacher living in Senegal, the author stresses the importance of celebrating Black cultures, including the role of ancestry, community interdependence, elder-mentors and institutions such as HBCUs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476684741
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	05/16/2022
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Preface: Here Is What We Know 1

Chapter I We Got SOUL; We Feel Good! 9

Chapter II It Ain't Right: Race-Based Stress and Trauma 20

Chapter III Getting to Tkeibbu Jenn: Surrendering to Love and Community 36

Chapter IV #CommunityHeals: Getting to Theibbu Jenn, Part II 48

Chapter V In Big and Small Ways: The Importance of Elder-Mentors 60

Chapter VI Waiting on Red Birds: Honoring Our Ancestors 73

Chapter VII #RitualHeals: Meeting Mami Wata 89

Chapter VIII #NatureHeals: This Land Is Our Land 100

Chapter IX #GoingHome: Healing Where the Wounds Were Made 115

Chapter X #CultureHeals: Bold, Bright, Brilliant and Beautiful 135

Chapter XI #LoveHeals: Self-Love and Being Your Authentic Self 149

Chapter XII My SOUL to Keep: Self-Care and Resilience 162

Chapter XIII #YogaHeals: Being at Home in Our Own Bodies 176

Chapter XIV #XEEX!: Resistance is Healing 199

Chapter Notes 211

Bibliography 219

Index 235