Let’s Talk: Racial Trauma and Its Effect on Brown and Black Bodies

In celebration of Black History Month,  Awbury Wellness will be hosting a racial trauma group discussion—a safe space to express feelings and thoughts regarding the idea of racial/historical trauma and how it affects all bodies.

The hope is that this space will be a place to support and connect with one another for each individual healing journey as well as collectively as a community.

Shenise Henderson—psychotherapist, professor of Social Work and yoga teacher—will guide participants through a group discussion, breath and movement practice to further aid in understanding how current issues of social justice, racial inequality and historical trauma land in our bodies. After the session, participants will make space for “black joy” and laughter.

This is a nonjudgmental space where all bodies are welcome to come as they are. Groups are open to all as there will be discussion of how racial trauma affects all bodies and what people can do to be of service by embracing anti-racism.

Admission is FREE.

Please note: All participants must wear a mask while in the Cope House.

Registration is required (please use the form below) and limited to 25 participants.

Location: the Cope House, 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA

Shenise Henderson, MBA, MSS, LCSW, RYT  has served in the field of social work for over 17 years. She has dedicated her work to trauma informed care and practice with children, adults, families and communities through her psychotherapy practice, Lifeline Trauma and Wellness Services LLC, consultation, advocacy, and training. Shenise works very closely with the foster care system and Infant Childhood Mental Health helping to implement trauma informed practice within organizations. Ms. Henderson also teaches Social Work Practice at the Graduate School of Social Work at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. 

Ms. Henderson directly supports children and families on the road to Permanency, working to reduce the impact of intergenerational trauma and secondary traumatic stress on caregivers. Along with her clinical and therapeutic work, Shenise developed a love for yoga and holds a certification in trauma sensitive yoga and is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher currently working on an additional 300-hour certification. She teaches in a professional studio and has taught in various schools/recreational centers within the School District of Philadelphia. Currently, she utilizes a workplace wellness model where she provides yoga and therapy to child welfare staff. Over a period of 5 years Shenise served as a running coordinator of an active running group for minority women in the City of Philadelphia and currently is an active member on the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention’s Community Advisory Board for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.