About The Wells Collective
A MISSION BUILT ON SISTERHOOD
The Wells Collective was born out of both necessity and the right amount of mimosas. After six Black women, who worked individually as public and private school educators, researchers, educational administrators, and psychologists, gathered together for a bubbly brunch, the kinetic energy that manifested itself at their table confirmed that by coming together, they could have a greater impact in promoting inclusion in their communities. And thus, Dr. Lana Asuncion, Dr. Shari Amira Baker, Akailah Jenkins McIntyre, Jenifer Moore, Kalea Selmon, and Talia Busby Titus created The Wells Collective. These six Black women rallied together to identify ways in which they could leverage their individual talents to develop a unique framework that would equip organizations with the tools to be successful as change agents and architects for liberation.
The Wells Collective is built upon the principles of OG truth-teller, Ida B. Wells. She was Black woman journalist and activist known for her work fighting against lynching in the 1890s. As a womanist, social justice pioneer and educator, Ida B. Wells used journalism to "turn the light of truth" upon white supremacy and anti-Black violence.
The founders of the Wells Collective saw a reflection of themselves in Ida’s work and leveraged her passion and perseverance to serve as the foundational elements of their organizational beliefs. After further exploration, the creators of the firm determined that “WELLS” should have an even deeper meaning, with each letter in the name spelling out the ideals they wanted their organization (and the inclusive ideologies that they preach through their work) to mean: Wellness, Equity, Liberation, Love, and Sisterhood. Click here to hear us talk more about the origins of our name.
THE TIME IS NOW.
Although civil rights leaders and social activists fought for centuries to find freedoms for people of color, the founders of The Wells Collective recognize there is still work to be done. Now more than ever, society is no longer turning a blind eye to racism. In the post-George Floyd and Breonna Taylor era, it has become apparent on a global scale that the vision of a peaceful and embracing society cannot exist if we do not move quickly to change the historically engrained prejudices, attitudes and privileges that currently exist in America and beyond. By focusing on our own capacities to chart change when beginning with introspection, The Wells Collective is moving swiftly to radically shift organizations in the direction of justice.
Meet The Consultants
“Anytime you get more than a couple Black Women together, you’re recreating this powerful mechanism for change.”
KIMBERLY BRYANT