Speaker Information

Tahra Fairweather is a third-year Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of Belize, completing her internship at the Welcome Resource Center. This local organization supports individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and trauma from abuse. Her journey into the helping profession began with an associate degree in Psychology and Sociology, which laid the foundation for her understanding of human behavior and social systems. Motivated to work more directly with vulnerable populations, she pursued a Social Work degree. Through her academic training and hands-on internship experience, Tahra has developed a deep interest in mental health advocacy and culturally responsive, trauma-informed practice. Her recent research includes a strengths and needs assessment conducted with program participants, combining qualitative narratives and quantitative data to highlight gaps in access to services and areas of resilience. Tahra is passionate about amplifying the voices of those often excluded from decision-making and service design. She believes meaningful engagement and empathy are essential in advancing equity and social justice. As an emerging professional, she is committed to contributing to ethical, inclusive, and community-centered approaches within mental health and social work.

Speaker Information

Uche Ohaeri is a first-generation Nigerian-American from San Bernardino, California, with roots in Imo State, Nigeria. He holds a B.A. in Child Development with a minor in Counseling from California State University, Sacramento, and is currently a first-year MSW student at California Baptist University. Uche is a passionate event curator who finds joy in building community through culturally grounded and uplifting experiences. He created The Nine V’s of Vinta9e during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when he personally faced depression, grief, and uncertainty. Through deep reflection, spiritual growth, and emotional exploration, Uche developed this curriculum as a tool to guide himself—and now others—out of darkness and into purpose. His mission is to ignite healing, emotional resilience, and fearlessness in others so they, too, can thrive unapologetically in their one precious life. When he’s not working in community spaces, Uche loves to dance, laugh, and spend time with family.

Speaker Information

Soraya Papayoute is a licensed clinical social worker, speaker, and founder of a thriving private practice specializing in trauma-informed care for people of color. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, she integrates modalities such as EMDR, TF-CBT, Brainspotting, and NARM to support clients in healing from generational trauma, identity-based stress, and emotional burnout. As a passionate advocate for culturally responsive therapy, her work centers the experiences of Black and Brown women who have internalized the “Strong Black Woman” narrative and are seeking space to rest, feel, and reclaim their voices.

In addition to her clinical work, Soraya runs a 12-week coaching program and is developing a group practice that focuses on addressing the unique emotional needs of underserved communities. Her work has been shaped by both professional expertise and lived experience, allowing her to connect deeply with those she serves. She is committed to raising awareness around how cultural expectations impact mental health and to equipping other practitioners with tools to better serve diverse populations.

Through speaking engagements, workshops, and writing, Soraya brings authenticity, insight, and healing to conversations around strength, vulnerability, and wellness. Her mission is to dismantle harmful narratives and create space for emotional liberation for women of African descent across the diaspora.

Speaker Information

Dr. Leolin Castillo is a highly accomplished Registered Nurse and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over three decades of experience in healthcare and 27 years in nursing education. She is a licensed Registered Nurse in the State of New York.
Dr. Castillo recently earned her Doctoral Degree in Nursing Science from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida, as well as a Bachelor’s and Certificate in Nursing Education from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. Her foundational nursing education was obtained at the Bliss School of Nursing. Throughout her career, Dr. Castillo has been committed to nursing education, teaching in various nursing programs in the United States and currently at the National University of Belize. She holds certifications in EKG, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technology, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Post-Secondary Instruction.
She has served in numerous leadership roles, including Program Review Leader for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Certificate in Practical Nursing. She is the former Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health, & Social Work—now the Faculty of Health Sciences—where she played a pivotal role in transitioning associate programs in pharmacy, medical laboratory, and social work into baccalaureate degree programs. Additionally, through collaboration with key stakeholders, she contributed to the initial development of the Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Belize. Dr. Castillo also served as Chair of the Nursing Department.
As a researcher, Dr. Castillo has published several studies, with her primary research interest focusing on IPV and its developmental impact on children. Her extensive contributions to nursing practice, education, and research continue to shape the healthcare landscape, inspiring future generations of nurses and healthcare professionals.

Speaker Information

Joyanne De Four-Babb is currently the Research Director at the University of Belize. She is a former co-Chair of the Caribbean and African Studies in Education, Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association (2019-2023) and has also served that organisation in the capacity of Program Chair (2015-2016; 2019–2020). Joyanne’s research and published papers focus on the development of identity (being and becoming) among various populations, such as secondary teachers, business leaders, and women priests. Her work has also focused on peer mentoring among women faculty, spirituality, intellectual poverty, experiences of retired women faculty, practical experiences of learning to teach, and comparative collaboration as an emerging methodology. She has presented her research at major conferences including the American Educational Research Association, Academy of Management, British Academy of Management, Biennial Narrative Research in Progress Conference, University of the West Indies Biennial Conference in Education, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) Conference, and the AQR/DPR Conference. Her most recent co-edited book is the Bloomsbury Handbook of Caribbean and African Studies in Education (2024). She is also lead author on the upcoming volume, Visual Methodologies and Methods for Caribbean Research: Enacting Epistemic Freedom due to be published in 2025.

Speaker Information

Dr. Sayida Peprah-Wilson is both a Psychologist and Doula. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization Diversity Uplifts, Inc., who’s mission is to improve the well-being of women, birthing people, children and families by supporting marginalized and minority communities, while increasing cultural competence and humility among providers who serve them. An advocate for human rights in childbirth, she is a member of the Black Women Birthing Justice Collective and a Movement Partner with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, promoting research, education and community-based services to positively transform the birthing experiences of black families. Dr. Sayida is an active supporter of community doula programs and workforce development as a founding member and co-director of the ​Frontline Doulas and Sankofa Birthworkers Collective, in Southern California. She also serves as a member of the CA DHCS Doula Medi-Cal Stakeholder and Implementation Workgroup Community Communications Advisory Team.

Speaker Information

Sr. Gianna Marie Short, SOLT, was born and raised in the United States. The fifth of nine children, she was taught at home and learned to love the outdoors and books. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College, she taught at John Paul the Great College in Benque Viejo del Carmen for two years. Feeling called by God to go even deeper into a life of service and union with the Lord, she entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity and made vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience in 2021. In 2022, she was assigned to the mission in Benque Viejo, where she serves as director of Seed of Life, a resource center for pregnant women, and as Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at John Paul the Great College.

Sr. Gianna Marie strives to bring life and meaning into all areas of her work. As an advocate for mothers, she desires women to recognize that every child is a gift and worthy of love, and that no child is one too many. She often speaks at schools and fairs to promote the dignity of unborn children and motherhood.

At John Paul the Great College, she enjoys asking questions more than giving answers, ensuring that students must think and think again, helping each other grow closer to the truth, no matter how hard it is.

Speaker Information

My research interests include adolescent issues, minority health, health disparities, genetic illness, sickle cell disease prevention, genetic screening & counseling, program development & evaluation, and instrument development & validation, online social work education, and college graduation and retention.

Speaker Information

Danladi Chiroma Husaini holds a PhD in Public Health and dual master’s degrees in Pharmacology/Toxicology and Biochemistry. With over 30 years in academia, he is an Assistant Professor at the University of Belize, teaching pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, toxicology, therapeutics, and research. His research spans ethnopharmacology, experiential learning, environmental pollution, mental health, and non-communicable diseases, leading projects with UNDP and a few international universities. Recognized with awards like the OAS-CICAD training grant and ASM Small World Initiative, he has published widely and contributed to ethnopharmacology, experiential learning, and non-communicable diseases. Active in international collaborations, he bridges research, education, and community and mental health in Belize and beyond. Danladi is also a Pastor with the Nazarene church and currently serves as the Board Chairman of the Belize City Nazarene High School.

Speaker Information

Dr. Olusola Oladeji is a public health physician, holds master’s degree in public health (MPH) and PhD in community health and currently works as Health and Nutrition specialist with UNICEF Belize. He has over 20 years’ experience in health system strengthening, primary health care, including Maternal, Newborn and child health, Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health, mental health, HIV/AIDS and public health and nutrition emergencies in development, humanitarian and post conflict contexts. His research interests are implementation science, health system strengthening and primary health care and has over 40 articles published in peer reviewed journals. He is a Fellow of Koffi Annan Global Health Leadership Programme.