OUR PEOPLE
The Black Madonna Freedom School embraces the matriarchal truth that we thrive best in non-heirarchal mutuality — that we are actually and truly the sum of our parts. So, meet the BMFS Dream Team, our Founding Wisdom Council, our visiting faculty, and our Founding Members. Together, we are the Black Madonna Freedom School.
The BMFS Dream Team
Renee Barreto
Operations ArchitectRenee is a cultural worker, embodied operations strategist, and reinvention practitioner. She partners with organizations to cultivate ways of work that are sustainable, life-giving, and resilient amid change and chaos.
A proud aunt, amateur analog collagist, playlist curator, partner, friend, and neighbor, Renee makes her home in Brooklyn, New York.
Lisa Heaner
Operations ManagerOne part ringmaster, one part short-order chef, two parts nurturer, three parts unapologetic goofball, Lisa wants to be where the action is, as long as she doesn't have to be center stage. She prefers to have her house filled with guests, loves to sing, and has a soft spot for surly introverts.
Jocelyn Smith
Special Events MavenJocelyn is a master gardener, a community space holder, and a burgeoning mystic. She makes her home in Minneapolis.
Christena Cleveland
Founder + Head FacultyAward-winning author and scholar, founder of the Black Madonna Freedom School, international speaker, and world-renowned teacher of the Black Madonna and the Sacred Black Feminine.
A weaver of Black liberation and divine feminine wisdom, Christena integrates psychology, theology, storytelling, and somatics as she guides people of all races and genders into freedom, wholeness, and embodied justice.
Kiara Hernadez
Marketing + Operations SupportA movement enthusiast and a multi-disciplinary creative, you can find Kiara behind the decks, dancing, or getting on a plane somewhere. And of course, spending time with her cat.
FOUNDING WISDOM COUNCIL
Writer + Founder of Takla Nowa Kinship School
Energy Healer + Conscious Leadership Consultant
Artist + Founder of Body Temple Church
VISITING FACULTY
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Award winning percussionist, singer, dancer, and actress, Ms.Belloni was born in Rome, Italy and is a lifelong devotee of the Black Madonna. She is the author of Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna and leads regular pilgrimages to the Black Madonnas of Italy.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
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![Alicia Christine Beach]()
Alicia Christine Beach
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![Alli Myatt]()
Alli Myatt
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![Haley]()
Haley
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![Jatolloa]()
Jatolloa
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![Koinonia I. Martin-Page]()
Koinonia I. Martin-Page
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![Renee Barreto]()
Renee Barreto
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![Sharon Song]()
Sharon Song
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![Timi Griffin]()
Timi Griffin
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![TJ Poon]()
TJ Poon
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![Valerie]()
Valerie
