We are inspired by Black thinkers and freedom fighters who, over the centuries and across the Diaspora, have called for us to free ourselves from mental enslavement. Among them are Marcus Garvey, Maya Angelou, Carter G. Woodson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ama Atta Aidoo, El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, and Steve Biko.

The late Dr. Maya Angelou, founding Chair of our Board of Advisors, joined us in 2008 after she heard about Enola Aird’s vision and work through mutual friends, Janice Jones and Betty Crutcher. Dr. Angelou invited the members of CHN’s first Board to lunch at her home in Harlem. She was among the first signatories of CHN’s Call to Healing and Renewal, and she introduced CHN to the world at our first fundraising event at Riverside Church in New York City, in November 2009.

Board of Directors