Crossroads University's consulting board was created to help us be accountable to our mission. With our interest in preserving the cultural heritage of the south and reclaiming the narrative by people of color, we rely on the objective input by our Consulting Board to maintain high standards and authentic content in our curriculum.

Papa Joe Fisher

(Gede Nibo Bey "La Kwa")

An elder of the Gullah Geechee nation in South Carolina, Papa Joe Fisher's knowledge of traditional African culture and cosmology as it has been preserved in South Carolina is an invaluable resource to Crossroads University. The Gullah/Geechee are the descendents of enslaved Africans from various ethnic groups of west and central Africa who were brought to the New World and forced to work on the plantations of coastal South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida. The Gullah/Geechee people have retained many aspects of their African heritage due to the geographic barriers of the coastal landscape and the strong sense of place and family of Gullah/Geechee community members.

In his own words: "I am Pastor Joe Fisher, I was inducted into the "World Christian Martial Arts Hall Of Fame " Aug. 7, 1999. I received the "Silver Life Achievement Award." I was ordained by "OLUMBA OLUMBA  OBU" in Calabar Nigeria 1972 . Also known as Gede Nibo Bey “La Kwa “, I was born in a town called "WOLFTON". A town of teachers.  I descended through a line of “SPIRITUALISTS".  I am a Gullah - Mandingo, My mother is Gullah and my father is Mandingo. My grandfather built the Masonic lodge and was the grand master. Granddad’s root work included a cure for toothache. Grand Ma OLGA was a root woman, some of her sisters passed for white.  This made her a very volatile person. Her son, PaPa Gede's father, was named "TUDE" Because he kept an attitude.

I am H0ungan Huntor (spirit of the drum). I was born (drum keeper). I met my friend, godfather, idol, many years ago - Max Beauvoir the keeper of the  Le Peristyle, Mariani. He recognized the work I was destined to do. He made possible all the rites rituals it would take to give me my ( license ) so to speak. He brought forth all the society of "Le Peristyle", including the master drummer and the master drum-maker to take me through my paces. We clicked so well that we made a "Rada" and "Petro". I have one of the few drum "Batteries" made ritualistically.

As a Gullah/Geechee with my heritage at the crossroad, I sense the crucial consciousness of  CHOOSING  to "Preserve" my Heritage or "Observe" it. With great respect for the esoteric use of "ENGLISH" (to put a spin on) I'd prefer "OBSERVATION." When we observe a holiday, example; " Valentine's day". You make sure you have "RED" hearts, chocolates, cupids, flowers, ribbons - bows etc . and you say I'm observing Valentine's day, not Preserving (pickle - freeze etc.).

I suggest "OBSERVING" Gullah/Geechee heritage in subtle ways, because it is still a sensitive crucial ting of pride/prejudice. A Gullah/Geechee can put horse shoe, broom, bible, etc. by de door. Put a little piece of blue masking tape on the portals if you can't paint them. Put 1 bottle in a tree. Put glass water under bed, respect crossroads - cemeteries etc. Add a Yena to "Hab A Nice Day". Enjoy watermelon, chicken, rice, pudding pot, hopping john, plant Morning Glory's ( little John ). Cherish Family, children, Elders, Ancestors etc. Ebry lee likle bit heps. Observe your Heritage, not only Black history Month (shortest month 29 days) Gullah Festival, Kwanzaa, but ebry da Gawd bring fo we chillen .

en de name ob de " KONKER ", PAPA"

A Hoodoo Obeah Man and Bokor, the Divine Prince Ty Emmecca is a prominent local fixture in New Orleans, active in the community with the goal "to rebirth and re-legitimize the paths and lineages of birth right here in the Deep South." Of Seminole and Gullah Geechee bloodlines, the Divine Prince began his spiritual journey at the age of 15 in the Evangelical Spiritualist Church in Washington DC. He grew up in the shadow of Anacostia, the Mason Dixson and the underground railroad. Though he was born in Chicago and raised in Maryland/Washington D.C., he has family with roots in Louise, Mississippi and Bogalousa, Louisiana, where he traveled every year until he moved to New Orleans permanently in 1996. Since he has been in New Orleans, he has had a temple, "House of the Divine Prince" and has promoted grassroots and social organizations in New Orleans.

In his own words:" Hoodoo and Obeah, like all Traditional Pan African based religious paths and traditions, takes the use and knowledge of ancient religious and occult powers and sciences originally handed down over the centuries by word of mouth from the remnants of once very powerful and celebrated secret religious orders emanating from a remote age that has long since been lost in the mist of time. Over the centuries most of the original science has become watered down, with the less powerful versions of Obeah incorporating various modifications of occult spell craft as once practiced mostly by tribal peoples worldwide and specifically from Ancient Kemet or Egypt and also a people who spoke Ashanti from West Africa. However, the most secretive, powerful and dreaded purveyors of present day Obeah come undiluted from the old orders. Practitioners of same will sometimes use the less volatile aspects of their brethren, but usually operate well beyond the confines of any traditional witchcraft, sorcery, shamanism, voodoo (Vodoun), or tribal magic. It is a dying breed shrouded in secrecy, with the most powerful versions known and practiced only by a select few. Even fewer ever truly enter the ranks of Obeah and able to successfully wield its will and awesome scope unscathed. An Obeah man can use ANY system and fuel it with the power of Obeah without the danger of disrespect FOR the gods, but, depending on circumstances, not necessarily without repercussions FROM the gods --- and especially so any untrained high level assault against the natural or Divine Order of things. Obeah is potent, compelling and in the wrong hands, both deadly and dangerous. Its secret lies in its POWER."

Currently, the Divine Prince is on the Advisory Committee of Congo Square as their Social Media Person. He received a certificate of recognition last year from the Mayor, City Council and Senator Landreau for Cultural Preservation, and was subsequently entered into the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame. In addition, he has a prison ministry based on New Orleans Voodoo and Indian culture and can be heard on his daily talk radio show called "The POWER Lunch: Hoodoo New Orleans Voodoo Secrets and Recipes"  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Divine-Prince.  

Baba Eli Norris (Papa Eli) was born in  Northwest Pennsylvania and began his journey towards the realm of spirit when he noticed that as a teenager, deceased loved ones would come to him in dreams. These visits from the spirits lead to an obsession with all things mystical and esoteric.

Baba Eli first discovered Celtic Shamanism which he obtained training under the tutelage of Tira Brandon-Evans, which lead him to the Wicca where he became an ordained High Priest. He co-founded Wisteria Temple with his Mentor and High Priestess. As a Wiccan, Baba Eli felt a calling to another connection with the Divine.  With the adage "Blood calls to Blood" in mind, he began to search out African concepts of the Divine which lead him to discovering the Orisha.

The connection with the Orisha was immediate and intense. In 2004, Baba Eli began his journey with Orisha and Ifa and on December 7, 2012, he was initiated as a Babalawo.  Today, Orisha and Ancestor veneration are at the core of his practice. He walks the worlds of man and spirit as a Witch, Babalawo, Root Worker, Shaman and Priest of Oshun.

Baba Omigbemi Olumaki is a Babalorisha of the Orisa Yemaya Ogunte and is Padre Nganga Nkisi of Nkyyo Malango Cortalima Cordosa Mayombe. He is also Chief Priest of Nso Kikulu, a name meaning "those who know growing up". Baba has been involved in the traditions of his mother's African homeland since birth and initiated more than half his life.

Madrina Angelique is initiated in the Palo tradition as Madre Nganga ofMunanso Centella Ndoki Nkuyo Malongo Corta Lima Cordosa, initiated by Chief Ololele Afolabi, godson of Tata Antonio Ali. She is also initiated in Santeria as Iyalorisha of Ile Ori Yemaya, initiated by Baba Ogun Solu, godson of Chief Bolu Fantunmise of the Ifa Orisha Cultural Center in Nigeria and Atlanta. Born and raised in rural Georgia, she has immersed herself in the study and practice of traditional southern hoodoo since childhood. An encounter with Baron Samedi at a young age placed her on the path of bringing honesty and education to the practice of hoodoo and conjure. As a child, she was always looking for what she called magical things such as stones, twigs, feathers and dirt and searching out the paranormal aspects of everything. As a southern woman, she has a deep love of the south and her culture and strives to bring authenticity and detail to her work.

The founder of Crossroads University, Denise Alvarado is a  native Creole raised in the rich culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. She has studied indigenous healing traditions from a personal, professional and academic perspective for over four decades. Her activities include cultural and spiritual consulting, assessment, & training for individuals and organizations. She is regularly consulted by film makers and production companies about New Orleans Voodoo, Hoodoo and Louisiana folk magic traditions. She has consulted with Scotland Yard on the issue of African Ju Ju and human trafficking, the History Channel on New Orleans Voodoo and with the production company for the Sci-Fi channel Raw TV on paranormal phenomenon. Most recently she has consulted with Discovery Channel's Monsters and Mysteries on the subject of Hoodoo in Louisiana. Her artwork has appeared on a number of television shows, including National Geographic's Taboo, Blue Bloods and the Vampire Diaries.

Denise has a Bachelor of Science extended degree in cultural anthropology from Northern Arizona University and a Masters of Science in general psychology from Walden University. As a PhD candidate in Psychology Research and Evaluation, she was the recipient of Walden University's Fellowship in Research and Applications for Social Change, 2008-2009 with her research The Native American Wellness Scale (NAWS): The Development of an Intertribal Quality of Life Measure for Native American and Indigenous Populations - the first culturally appropriate quality-of-life instrument for use among Native American populations. She is also the creator and Editor in Chief of the first journal devoted to the preservation of Southern folk magic traditions and New Orleans Voodoo and Hoodoo called Hoodoo and Conjure Quarterly.An independent researcher, Denise is a member of the American Anthropological Association, the Association of Indigenous Anthropologists, and several special interest groups including Anthropology of Childhood and Children Interest Group (ACCIG), Digital Anthropologies Interest Group (DAIG), and Interest Group on NGOs and Nonprofits (IGNN).

Denise has been teaching and offering workshops for individuals and organizations on cultural competency and special populations since 1994. Appointed by the Iowa Program Directors Association, she is 1 of only 20 individuals chosen to be a Trainer of Trainers, teaching others how to navigate cultural issues in institutional settings such as treatment centers, hospitals and correctional institutions. She was trained by the late Dr. Terra Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. and received extensive  training and certification by the federally funded Project for Addictions Counselor Training (PACT) in the state of Iowa. She has carried on Dr. Thomas' legacy and vision for a culturally inclusive and fluent society ever since.

Denise lives the life she writes about and researches, giving her a unique participant observation perspective to her work. She is a medicine woman and rootworker in the Southern Rootwork tradition. Denise's indigenous ancestry includes Cherokee of the Bird Clan on her mother's side and Aztec on her father's side.