Description

Bio: Shenmiakhu Pernebsati brings 25 years of experience as a member of historically Black institutions and fraternal organizations, such as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Order of Prince Hall Freemasonry, Shriners, and the Scottish Rite 32°. He is most humbled to have reconnected with his ancestral roots through intense initiations based on indigenous cultural rights of passage in Africa.

Summary: What is the primary reason for this virtual class?

While we honor those who sacrificed and survived native genocide, along with slavery, it’s time that we expand this narrative to include the truth about free Black men, women, and families who served as co-architects of the United States of America. Additionally, it is imperative to understand how descendants of enslaved people have sacrificed to reconnect with Meritah (Africa) before the middle passage of slavery.

Goals and Objective: Indigenous cultural rites of passages were erased and/or stolen from Africans in America during slavery. This course will guide and support participants in reclaiming ancestral wisdom that had been lost or concealed in secret societies. Participants in this class will learn, not study, from initiates with lived experience traveling through various initatic camps around the world who learned traditional wisdom from native teachers passed down mouth to ear since time immemorial.

Who is this class intended for? This course is designed for parents, teachers, professors, administrators of service providers, government officials, civic and advocacy organizations, K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, activists, and any organization that is eager to discover a more comprehensive version of American history.

Eligibility Criteria: Anyone is open to attending this group; however, the focus is specifically on people who have historically been most impacted by racism and systems of oppression, such as patriarchy, xenophobia, and indigenous genocide. Affinity spaces are available upon request.

Documenting progress and Tracking involvement: Weekly Attendance, Integrated Cohort Learning, which includes weekly reading, reflection journals or drawings, and weekly check-ins with cohort accountability partners.

Equipment and Supplies
● Computer w/speakers or headphones
● Internet
● Zoom Access
● A quiet place to attend the group virtually with cameras on
● Writing/drawing materials for journaling and experiential learning
● 30 min each week outside of class to meet with a classmate
(accountability partner) around integrated learnings provided by the instructor in between classes