About Dr. Ward
Dr. Consuela Ward is also known as Iya Olorunferanmi Asande Onifade in the Yoruba traditional system of Ifa from Southwestern Nigeria.She is an Iyanifa, rootworker, author, educator and an advocate for Black liberation. She has written and published the first of a trilogy entitled, On Healing Black Girl Pain in 2016 and has the last of the set in progress entitled The Answers and Biojela’s Return to Peace: A Journey with the Ancestors respectively.
Dr. Ward/Iya Olorunferanmi earned a bachelor’s in English (creative writing) from The Florida State University (1994), a Master of Science in Communication (radio/tv/film) from Indiana State University (1996), and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum Studies (Multicultural Education) from Georgia Southern University (2011). She has over 25 years of experience in education where she started as a high school English/speech & debate teacher then a University Director & professor specializing in Education and DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion). She eventually branded her services and branched out as a successful DEI consultant/speaker, until Ifa became a way of life.
Over time, her DEI talks encompassed more breadth with the increased knowledge of Ifa and the study of other African traditions. She coined the term ‘Black Liberation in the New Age’ which describes a framework, a movement, and a method of Black liberation that uses African ancestral technologies and wisdom to free its people. This revolutionary lens brings a value add that has been missing in the role of liberation and healing multigenerational trauma among Black people across the diaspora.
Dr. Ward/Iya Olorunferanmi traced her lineage to the Kongo people on her father’s side, while her mother’s family is Yoruba. She was initiated to Ifa in Osogbo, Nigeria by Chief Ifasola Adekunle Onifade and her Odu is Irosun Ogbe. Her ancestors took her through the process and rites of passage to initiate as red Iyaami and later to initiate as a rootworker. Over time, she has received and works with the orisas and spirit guides Esu, Obatala, Egbe, Ajé, Osun, Iyaami, Ogun, Oko, Yemoja, Babaluyaye, Oya, Sango, Olokun, and an object of Ori. She uses her training and experience in orisa work and ancestor veneration to offer classes, spiritual services, and as a way of Black liberation.
Her vision is to make good things flow to American Africans while her mission is to promote healing of the ancestors of American Africans and their descendants, to educate American Africans on the ways of their ancestors and how to use those pathways to thrive and towards full liberation, and to recognize American African women as the strength of society. Dr. Consuela Ward/Iya Olorunferanmi Onifade brings the knowledge of her ancestral ways and the vision of the orisa and she comes with expert educational perspectives and the power of the divine feminine.
Appearances
Dr. Consuela Ward is in high demand! She has spoken to audiences spanning Colleges & Universities, School Systems, Human Resources, Community Groups, Professional Conferences and more. Her work is so amazing that she is often asked to come back again! Listed here is a selection of organizations where she has presented workshops, keynotes, and/or consultative services.
