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We Value Culture, Community, and Connections
The Cultural Wellness Center (CWC) is a community-initiated multidimensional organization focused on promoting health, healing, and Cultural Wellness within diverse communities, especially among people of African descent. Founded in 1996, the CWC empowers and engages communities, by assisting them in reversing the problems created by individualism, loss of culture, and loss of community. The CWC work includes connecting to cultural heritage, acknowledging value, and by fostering a sense of community belonging, identity, and acceptance.
Located in South Minneapolis, the center offers a variety of programs and services, including community development and research, health and wellness initiatives, leadership development, cultural education and reconnection, and entrepreneurship support. A central tenet of the CWC’s mission is the idea that wellness goes beyond physical health—it also includes spiritual, emotional, and cultural dimensions.
What We Offer
The Cultural Wellness Center offers community development and research, health and wellness initiatives, leadership development, cultural education and reconnection, and entrepreneurship support. Each person participating explores and reclaims their cultural roots. The center collaborates with other community organizations, educational institutions, and health providers to customize pathways to address self-determination, community reconnect, economic stability, family reunification, social support, social cohesion, and health education.
A selection of classes are taught through the Invisible College (ancient wisdom teachings, genealogy, family history research). Health Institute (mind, body, spirit healing) and Member Services (community development).
Examples Are:
• A Year of Learning for leaders and health practitioners
• Training & Certification for Female and Male Doulas (Birth Attendant)
• Birthing Teams Support for parents during pregnancy, birthing, parent child health, and development
• Transformational Leadership Training for Professionals and Staff Leaders
• Residences-in-Training ( Cultural Health Practitioners)
• Cultural Wellness Griot Fellowship
• Cultural Rituals & Ceremonies including Familyhood & Kinship Network
• Age Stage Rites of Passage ( 0-7 up to Elders)
• African Cultural Reconnection through Dance and Drumming in schools and out of school
Special Event
Conclave 2025
This year's CWC Cultural Conclave will be a transformative experience, guided by an African system of thought. Over the course of one and a half days, we will engage in rituals, storytelling, drumming, poetry, and deep cultural inquiry, exploring what it means to study, honor, and evolve our cultural traditions for intercultural healing and liberation.
Cost:
Organizational Professionals $350
Grassroots Leaders $150
Elders & Students $50.
Please contact us at cwcmail@culturalwellnesscenter.org for packages, sponsorship or scholarships. The First 50 registrants will receive a complimentary Elder consult.
Be sure to RSVP for both days below.
Highlights at CWC
In 2025 the Cultural Wellness Center will host the National Program Office of Community Solutions for Health Equity - Partnership (CSHE-P)
The Cultural Wellness Center (CWC) has partnered with Community Solutions for Health Equity (CSHE) since 2020. In 2024 CWC began functioning as the host organzation for CSHE-P which includes 11 funded partners offering technical assistance and training on the 'Cultural Wellness Approach'.
Upcoming Classes & Events
Multiple DatesMar 12, 2025, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PMVirtual Event via Zoom
Multiple DatesMar 12, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMVirtual Event via Zoom
Multiple DatesMar 12, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDTVirtual Event via Zoom
Multiple DatesMar 15, 2025, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM CDTVirtual Event via Zoom
INSIDE OF EVERY HUMAN BEING IS A SPARK. WE IGNITE THAT SPARK