About Danielle
I am a weaver of Earth-based, anti-racist and somatic practices designing frameworks, systems and learning opportunities for K-adult learners.
Bringing my full self to my work means nestling within the intersection of education, health, sustainability, spirituality and culture. I believe that centering healing and interconnection in necessary for us to transform our systems, practices, and beliefs away from an extractive culture to one of regeneration. As someone with many intersectional identities I embrace chaos, complexity and conflict as the impetus for messy but potentially radical growth and change. I love supporting others in leaning into both their curiosities and discomforts to learn, grow and heal.
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR loving learning, camping and the arts I was aware at a young age the ways that racism impacted access, participation and belonging in these spaces.
I went on to study Sociology, Environmental Studies and Education at Rhodes College in Memphis TN. In the summer of 2013, I studied studying in Copenhagen and became increasingly curious about the dynamic relationship between urban design and health outcomes. I decided to pursue my masters at Portland State University, studying Leadership for Sustainable Education and conducting original research on Black Earth-connection.
When I'm not working, nurturing Sankofa Village Arkansas, or teaching yoga I love playing in my garden, eating good food, watching K-dramas and spending time with loved ones.
My Projects
Sankofa Village Arkansas
Sankofa Village Arkansas will be an intentional community centering Black healing, liberation and regeneration located in Little Rock, AR. Launched in January 2021 with a successful crowdsources campaign (raising over $17K but an unsuccessful land purchase), as September 2023 we are focused on building capacity. We are recipients of the 2022 NEC Black Solidarity Economy Fund and CoFUND's 2023 CoFED grant recipients.
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- classes are healing-centered, grounding, and emphasize choice and curiosity -
My offerings honor the impact of our environments on our bodied existence and celebrate the ability of Mother Earth’s teachings to help us better understand ourselves - an extension of her. There is power in somatic practices to help us reimagine beliefs, practices, and systems that re-center equity and healing. I have cultivated workshops such as “Disembodying white supremacy,” “Holding Space for Climate Grief,” and “Designing Your Culturally Specific Care Plan.” I have supported Wild Diversity's BIPOC Wellness Weekend (2021 & 2023), The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center's (BYMC) Yoga Teacher Training (2020, 2022, 2024) and have offered yoga and somatic practices to groups such as Greater Than, People of Color Outdoors and Camp ELSO (now ELSO Inc). I have been practicing yoga since 2014 and have been teaching since 2019 when I completed 300hrs of Yoga Teacher Training from the BYMC.
Take a class - As of September 2023, I sub in-person and virtual classes at the BYMC and you can also find some of my classes in their livestream library.
Subscribe to stay updated with yoga offerings
Find my modest library of meditations on Insight Timer
Research
Published Research
Development and Psychometric Assessment of Measures for a Novel STEM Pathway Program that Represents a Partnership between an Academic Health Professions University and High Schools in Underserved Oregon Communities
Carney PA, Bonuck K, Lenahan K, Martinez A, Jones DM and Shugerman S
SOIL TO SOUL
Soil to soul: Phenomenological Inquiry into Black geographies & Ecopsychologies
How do Black folks connect to the Earth?
This research explores the interconnectedness of Black geographies and ecopsychology through interviews with 12 Black participants living in Portland, OR. Layered within these larger themes include: generational trauma, collective knowledge, sustainable practices, and Black identity. In the fields of sustainability this is a unique study digging deeper than behavior around recycling or cycling, but how individuals’ beliefs, identities and conceptions around race and green spaces shape their connection with the Earth. Research concluded in 2018, writing in progress.
2nd place in the 2018 Three Minute Thesis competition held at Portland State University
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Garden, Food and Fun
