Founding Member & Healing Justice Strategist
New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee (NMBCOC)
As a founding member of the New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee (NMBCOC), I helped build a visionary policy incubator dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black New Mexicans—a demographic historically overlooked at just 3% of the state’s population. Our crowning achievement? Spearheading the passage of the most inclusive version of The CROWN Act, banning hair discrimination at the state and local levels.
We accomplished this historic feat by leaning into our cultural wisdom and organizing to:
Meld grassroots healing with policy change
Navigate legislative systems while centering marginalized voices
Turn statistical invisibility into political power
"Ebony’s healing circles didn’t just help us survive the fight—they taught us how to reclaim our joy within it."
—NMBCOC Community Advocate
The CROWN Act’s passage set a precedent for inclusive policy in New Mexico, proving that even "statistically insignificant" communities can drive transformative change when met with strategic advocacy and radical care.
Healing Justice in Legislative Advocacy
Facilitated Trauma-Informed Healing Circles: Created safe spaces for students and community members harmed by discriminatory practices in schools/workplaces, integrating somatic practices and storytelling to restore agency.
Coached Advocates for Impact: Provided media training and public comment coaching to empower Black residents to testify before legislators with clarity and unshakable presence.
Bridged Cultural Competency Gaps: Led closed-door sessions with policymakers to illuminate the lived experiences behind the legislation, ensuring alignment with intersectional justice principles.
Systems-Change Expert: Balancing direct service (healing circles) with structural advocacy (policy training).
Cultural Translation Skills: Making complex equity concepts accessible to legislators and students alike.
Resilience-Building: A track record of sustaining movements through embodied practices
Dr. Brandi Stone, MPA. Director of African American Student Services, University of New Mexico
