"I was first introduced to Adose through Mocktails and Meaningful Conversations focused on Black Joy and Liberation. This topic was appealing to me because it aligns with my efforts to uplift Black children and help families heal from generations of systemic and cultural trauma." - Dr. Jorie Jones

For me wellness equals balance between mind, body and soul. When I have the capacity to be intentional about what I put in my body (food and water), take time to do exercise and activities that bring me joy, and interact with people who complement my personality, I feel most at peace and balanced.

When I'm forced to do things that dishonor my feelings or go against my beliefs or I'm experiencing mental/emotional overload, I've noticed the first symptom that there is imbalance is in my choice of food. I tend to go for what temporarily feels good or is convenient instead of what's best for my body. The second sign is usually that I no longer have the motivation to exercise. There was a time that I would feel guilty about the imbalance and try to quickly force myself to resume the routine despite there being no resolution in what caused the disruption. I've learned though, sometimes you need to allow yourself the space and grace to be imbalanced in order to figure out how to process and recover from disruptive external factors. 

Over the next 12 months my non-profit Raising Risers will host a series of workshops that center Black girls and Black Boys. 

In October 2024 we will host a watch party for the Netflix documentary Daughters, which highlights the emotional trauma Black girls experience by having absent fathers.

January 2025, we will start a mentorship program for Black girls ranging in age from 5-12 years old. Over the course of the year we will teach them life skills and empower them to build self worth.

Additionally, we are hosting quarterly events starting in January 2025 expanding our Black Boys empowerment workshop. These events will feature the documentary Black Boys and give audience members an opportunity to engage in open discussions about their experiences through guided emotional processing sessions. 

Stay connected by following us on social media or visit our website!

Instagram: @raising_risers
Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@raising_risers?feature=shared
Website: raisingrisersinc.org

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5446eae3