Bio to come…

Iya Rev. DeShannon Barnes-Bowens, M.S. (Iyanifa Iwalewa Ifasalewa Fasina), is the founder of ILERA Counseling & Education Serv­ices, and works as a spiritual psychotherapist, professional development trainer, and writer. Through ILERA, she offers workshops, programs and written content focusing on spiritual injury, sexuality, vicarious trauma, sustainable self-care, and wellbeing. Iya DeShannon received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and a master’s degree in counseling from Pace University. She has practiced Ifa-Orisa spirituality since 2001 and is an initiated priestess. Iya DeShannon was also ordained as an Interfaith Minister through One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in 2010. She served as a first-year dean, Assistant Director and Co-Director of the seminary program. She ordained 130 ministers during her tenure.

Iya DeShannon is the author of Hush Hush: An African American Family Breaks their Silence on Sexuality and Sexual Abuse (2007, 2015). The second edition of her book inspired a full length play of the same title, as well as an arts education program called Hush Hush the Healing Project. She was a member of CONNECT Faith’s Ending Child Sexual Abuse Collaborative and coordinated their Safe Faith Community Project to help religious communities in New York City prevent sexual abuse. 

Iya DeShannon was the first recipient of the Bill T. Jones Award from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), an Emeritus Scholar for State of Formation and was published in the Journal of Interreligious Studies 23^rd issue, The Color of God. She has taught classes or been a guest lecturer at Union Theological Seminary, Blanton Peale Institute, and University of Connecticut. Some international and national presentations of her work have taken place in South Africa, United Kingdom, Portugal, the Parliament of World’s Religions, American Academy of Religion, LGBT Center in New York City, Religious Coalition of Reproductive Choice, African Diasporic Religious Studies Association, Interfaith Center of New York, Children’s Aid Society, New York Theological Seminary, and the Values Caucus of the United Nations. For more information about Iya DeShannon and her work visit www.ilera.com.

Maureen Curtis is responsible for development and oversight of Safe Horizon’s Criminal Justice Programs with a staff of more than 200 co-located in family court, criminal court, Family Justice Center, and precinct locations citywide.  She has worked for more than 35 years in the field of victimization and has extensive knowledge of victims’ rights within the criminal justice and housing systems.  Maureen assisted victims of September 11^th that included trauma informed supportive services and helping victims navigate various government systems to secure their rights.  Maureen provides training for Safe Horizon staff and other community-based organizations on assorted topics, such as housing, criminal justice response and assessing risk through a client-centered lens.  Maureen was instrumental in the launch of the agency’s client-centered practice and helped create and provide training for staff.  Lastly, Maureen was a facilitator and instructor for the Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Accountability Program (DVAP) and helped create the curriculum that was used to educate participants about domestic violence and its impact on survivors and children.  Maureen is a licensed social worker and holds a master’s in public health.

DeManuel is the Coordinator of Youth Initiatives at A Call to Men, a national violence prevention organization committed to promoting healthy, respectful manhood and preventing gender-based violence. In his role, he guides young people and youth-facing adults in challenging harmful gender norms and embracing authenticity to help create a world where boys and men are loving and respectful, and where women and girls and those in the margins of the margins are valued and safe. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience, DeManuel has led mental health and healthy youth development programs with a trauma-informed lens to promote holistic well-being and equity. He lives in Jersey City with his dog Brody and enjoys traveling, beach days, and putting a plant-based twist on his favorite recipes.