Meet Your Course Moderator

I would like to introduce everyone to your course section moderator. Iya Nicole, Okandinije, is the elder of her Ile, Ile Oshun of St. Louis, Missouri. She and her spiritual house (ile) joined the curriculum in the Winter of 2021. We are proud to introduce her as a moderator for the Understanding Yorùbá Spirituality Through Proverbs course. 

Iya Okandinije (Nicole Carr-Lomax), Priestess of Òsun

“ I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to work with Alajé Fadesiyé and moderate this course. As we move through this course I want to create a safe place for growth, development and curiosity, keeping in mind that the material has been prepared and I am moderating but it’s our experiences that breathe life into each lesson, allowing us to learn from each other.”

Okandinije (Nicole Carr-Lomax) has been a practitioner of the Orisha faith for 20 years under the guidance of our elders Asabi Agongoloju (Godmother) and Olubi Davis (Ojibona). In July of 2005 she was initiated into priesthood as an omo Oshun. Since her initiation she been an active member of our community. As a member of the community she understands that her work is an act of service to the Orisha that ultimately leads to the growth, development, and healing of not only her own life but to others that walk onto the path that is our beautiful tradition. Dedicated to healing she works as a Nurse Practitioner and is the founder of natural cosmetic line “Hunee Be”, a tribute to Oshun as it reminds us that there are no limitations to the beauty of life. One of her favorite proverbs is from South Africa; “I am because we are.” This proverb is important to her because it reflects a belief in a universal bond of sharing, community and caring that connects all humans.

Please introduce yourselves, especially if you are guest of Ile Okandinije....