The Facilitators & Speakers

Caryn Cooper is a dance administrator, educator, performer and writer. She began her dance training at a young age studying ballet in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) technique for ten years and has trained in other dance forms such as tap, jazz, hip hop, and West African. She has had the opportunity to perform at various venues in the greater New York City area including The Wild Project, 92 Y, Ailey Citigroup Theater, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, and Radio City Music Hall. Administratively, she has worked for a number of arts organizations including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts, and ArtsConnection. Caryn holds a BFA in Arts Management from LIU Post, a MA in Dance Education from NYU, and is a member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), the New York State Dance Education Association (NYSDEA), and Women of Color in the Arts (WOCA).

In 2014, I launched The Homegirl Healer as a holistic wellness suite for women who are ready to reclaim their divine power to self-heal and their ability to manifest the life of their greatest desire.

It brings me immense joy to be able to share my instruments of healing with others. I am so grateful to be on this journey to wholeness, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to support you on yours!

Angela Rostick, who is an actress, dancer, and Zumba instructor, started her journey as a teaching artist at Flushing Town Hall in 2002. Angela is a representative of Open End Repertory Theatre, a multi-ethnic theatre group based in Queens, NY. She has performed and toured with Harlem Playwrights 21 and Awosting Dance Company, and presented at Queens Theatre in the Park, National Black Theatre of Harlem, Henry Street Settlement, Producers Club, and Theater for the New City. She has also appeared on television, film, and soap operas.

As a community artist and cultural worker, Lisa Green has over 15 years experience in the public school system and community based programs. She has worked closely with schools and organizations collaborating to integrate arts into curriculum and leads arts engagement events. As a training facilitator, Lisa has conducted several workshops that focus on youth/community development, arts integration, self- care practices and social justice through the arts. She is an accomplished performer and considers herself a healing artist through multiple dance forms. Passionate about wellness, Lisa is also certified in Yoga and Ayurvedic Counselling.

I am a social worker, psychotherapist, consultant, and coach. I specialize in helping 14-45 year olds explore and accept the authority they have over their life so they can confidently walk into the life they desire and become the person they envision being. I have a passion for developing a partnership with my clients that helps them reflect on their story and honestly determine what is needed to live their best lives.

Social work has been my passion for over 13 years. I started my private practice in 2021 and enjoy working with individuals who want to heal issues related to anxiety, depression, grief/ loss, and interpersonal relationships. I also work with individuals and couples around issues that are commonly present with life transitions and personal growth, such as self -esteem concerns, career uncertainty, spirituality, relationship connections, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I have a faith -based background and open to integrate spiritual principles when requested.

Before going into private practice full-time, I practiced throughout the Philadelphia area in outpatient settings, addressing a variety of mental health and social services issues. I also worked in K-12 school settings throughout the Philadelphia and Camden area providing mental health services as a school counselor, school social worker, clinician, and clinical coordinator, providing individual and group counseling, professional development to staff, teacher coaching and consultation, and clinical supervision.

My formal training includes a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Temple University. In addition to being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am certified in Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools & Bounceback. I am also trained in Trauma -Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Care practices, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz is an award-winning Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on racial literacy in teacher education, Black girl literacies, and Black and Latinx male high school students. A sought-after speaker on issues of race, culturally responsive pedagogy, and diversity, Sealey-Ruiz works with K-12 and higher education school communities to increase their racial literacy knowledge and move toward more equitable school experiences for their Black and Latinx students. Sealey-Ruiz appeared in Spike Lee’s “2 Fists Up: We Gon’ Be Alright”, a documentary about the Black Lives Matter movement and the campus protests at Mizzou. Her co-authored book [with Dr. Detra Price-Dennis] Advancing Racial Literacies in Teacher Education: Toward Activism for Equity in Digital Spaces will be published in April 2021.

Her first full-length collection of poetry Love from the Vortex & Other Poems (Kalediscope Vibrations LLC) was published in March, 2021, and her sophomore book of poetry, The Peace Chronicles will be released in Summer 2021.

Please visit her website at yolandasealeyruiz.com and directly contact her at archofselfllc@gmail.com

More information coming soon!