Angela Cruz
Angela is a descendant of Visayan and Gaddang lineages of the Philippines. She is a seer, traditional healer, reiki master, holistic coach, reproductive birth justice advocate, drummer, and mother of four, born into a lineage of spirit mediums. Her practice of 20+ years has been greatly informed by trainings, experiences, and traditional cultural initiations. She is an initiated Spirit Medium in the tradition of the Shona people of Zimbabwe and an initiated Priest in the Afro-Cuban traditions of Palo Monte and Lucumi.
She is a guide for individuals and groups seeking to connect with their ancestors in a safe and sacred manner. She shares methods that empower, facilitate personal and intergenerational healing, supports and strengthens individuals in their chosen careers, and are in alignment with their destinies. Her work is anchored in the ancient principle that each person is their own greatest healer and carries unique wisdom, magic, and medicine to share with humanity.
Angela is passionate about the empowerment of women through the nurturing, development, and embodiment of their spiritual gifts. She is an advocate for traditional birth practices as a powerful and necessary vehicle for decolonization, claiming sovereignty, and liberation. Additionally, she believes strongly in the intersection of ancestral and midwifery practices, and seeks to create and be in spaces which address this through conscious dialogue, culturally sensitive education, and diverse community building. The sacred space of birthing is one she holds with deep reverence, and is honored to support birthing persons on their journeys.
Angela has been trained and certified as a doula under the late Medrakanoeonapua, a beloved traditional midwife of Hawaii, as a Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula through Zaagi’idiwin, and is an active board member of Shine Sisterhood Initiative. She is a co-founder of Ndoro Healing Arts.
~My eternal gratitude for my elders and ancestors of both blood and spiritual lineages. It is with their love, wisdom, knowledge, support, strength and guidance, that I am able to walk my path.~
Benjamin Sands
Benjamin’s first mentors Sandra Burton, Kweyao Agyapon, and Ernest Brown introduced him to a myriad of African Diaspora musical styles and the culture of dance, beginning with study under Ghanaian Master Drummer, Obo Addy. Following their lead, he embarked on what has become a 20 year journey encompassing studies in the traditional drum styles of Ghana, Mali, Cuba, Congo, and Zimbabwe as well as study in the tradition of the Mbira Dzavadzimu (thumb piano) of the Shona people of Zimbabwe as part of an apprenticeship with drummer and Gwenyambira, Chris Berry.
The currents of traditional African Diaspora music carried Benjamin to the sea of African spirituality. Soon dreams and the direction of his ancestors led him to initiations, first through the Shona medicine tradition and later through the Afro-Cuban traditions of Palo Monte and Lucumi.
An initiated spirit medium, Palero, and Olorisha, Benjamin is also an author, composer, and recording artist.
