Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Murray-Browne.
Hi Shawna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Baltimore. My work is inspired by my life experience and walk to heal my own personal and lineage trauma. My mother and father struggle with addiction, my brother, was murdered while incarcerated and I had my own experiences of being assaulted by police when advocating for social justice. I knew young that I wanted to support other children and families and the turning points in my life led me to hold healing space, become a mental health practitioner, work as an organizer and finally, consulting large organizations and training other therapists. As a full-time Ph.D. student, mom of a 4yo, wife, and full-time entrepreneur, my work is to help folk remember how to heal themselves and to transform who is qualified o serve Black folks seeking healing from racial trauma.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Struggles with misplaced anger toward my mother for her addiction when society has created these circumstances. Struggles with remaining spiritually grounded amidst the harms in society and while practicing a spiritual tradition indigenous to my ancestors. Struggles with grief and finding a healthy balance that honors my own healing when so much work has to be done.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kindred Wellness?
Kindred Wellness LLC is a race equity and community healing consultancy informed by the historic and present day wisdom of Black folk. I support organizations in building relationships while demystifying anti-racist and anti-colonial ideals.
Though I no longer offer mental health services, community healing initiatives are central to the mission of Kindred Wellness and are the epitome of my liberation-focused healing framework. I hold healing circles for Black women, girls and POC change-makers local to Baltimore. I also create curricula specific to the African American experience and often find myself training other organizations on how to use them for the benefit of those they serve. I currently lead a learning community especially for mental health and healing practitioners across the country called Therapy That Liberates. So much of my time now is spent training leading professionals and consulting educational, philanthropic and human service institutions on how to interrupt systemic oppression and honor the humanity of those often overlooked.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My mother’s cooking! Oh she can cook! Playing hopscotch with my friends, but led by my mom. I also hold dear the times she read to me and tickled me at bedtime. In high school it would have to be my time working and hanging out in the Inner Harbor, I worked at the Maryland Science Center and a host of other tourist attractions. I really enjoyed being by the water and still go there when I feeling nostalgic.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.shawnamurraybrowne.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healasista
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShawnaMBrowne
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shawnambrowne
