About Us​
Hakima Tafunzi Payne MSN RN
Hakima Payne facilitates tough but honest conversations around race and anti-Black racism. Ms. Payne’s facilitation style is deeply inclusive and adaptive, centering on creating a sacred space where all voices are received and participants feel empowered to share openly and honestly and where participants are encouraged to seek understanding if not agreement. Her values are grounded in her identity as a Queer, Black, Fem which shape her ideas around identity, community and society.
Hakima skillfully balances structure with flexibility, actively listening and responding to group dynamics while guiding dialogue toward deeper understanding of systemic oppression through a lens of Womanist ideology and Black Liberation.
Hakima serves in the role of fostering social evolution. Her strategic vision, coupled with her ability to convene diverse individuals and communities, and lead teams in transformative action has resulted in the successful implementation of initiatives and models aimed at addressing systemic inequities. She mentors and supports emerging leaders, guiding them on their own paths towards making a positive impact through her Emerging Black Leadership Institute.
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If you or your organization are ready to take action toward your own understanding and dismantling of anti-Black racism and white supremist systems, then this is a place to begin and extend that journey.
SANDRA THORNHILL, MPA
Social Justice Doula
Sandy is a Being of love, light, and energy on life’s journey to authentically connect with other Beings. She is present in liberation work to reclaim identity by facilitating the creation of sacred spaces of “Beingness” where authenticity, transparency, and
community thrive. Sandra serves as an organizer, mobilizing people across systems of oppression to reclaim their peace. With a passion for equity, and a veneration for creativity, she commits her path to elevating the experiences of Black life by centering Black ancestral values and participating in anti-racist work that promotes a sovereign
mind, body, and spirit.
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Sandra serves to transform the Black experience through several avenues of political and community led actions, which includes:
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Reproductive Justice advocate and Social Justice Doula*
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Execute Event Producer for national screening events of the Sister Doula film
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Congressional Mamavist Fellow and Mamavist Mentor with Mothering Justice
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Race Forward’s Facing Race STL Conference Host Committee Member
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Rustic Roots Sanctuary (Black Woman Owned community farm) Board Member
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Producer, Narrator, and Host of a news feature with Narrative Arts for The
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Convergence Partnership Podcast
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Co-founding member of the Missouri Kansas BIPOC Reproductive Justice
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Coalition, and co-founding board member of Uzazi Village’s Community Expert Review Board
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These diverse experiences and others helped shape Sandra’s perspective on the need
for equitable and actionable actions that eradicate racism. They also equipped her with
the experiences and network to be a collaborative force fighting for justice.
*Coined by Justice Gatson