Upcoming Events
Sacred Wounds 2nd Edition Book Launch with Teresa Mateus
In this second edition of Sacred Wounds, coming nearly a decade after it’s initial publishing, we explore spiritual and religious trauma and the journey towards healing.
Join us at The Kota Alliance for a special Sacred Wounds Book Launch event with author Teresa Mateus, MSW, E-RYT 200.
About the Book:
If you've been deeply wounded by religious institutions or are seeking to understand and help those who have, Sacred Wounds, Second Edition offers a compassionate and practical guide to recovery. Teresa Mateus’s wisdom and experience will light your path to spiritual wholeness as she shares both her personal story as a trauma survivor and the stories of others who have faced similar spiritual wounds. You will gain insight from these diverse voices as you engage in healing and contemplative exercises to help you explore your spiritual story. Learn about the nature of trauma in religious settings and why it is unique—then discover practical ways to heal from spiritual trauma.
New to this second edition is a guide on being an ally, updates to reflect how western (primarily American) culture has changed, and a study guide.
About the Author:
Teresa Mateus, MSW, E-RYT 200, (she/her/ella) is a traumatologist, author, speaker and consultant at the intersections of spirituality, healing and social change. She a trained clinical social worker, yoga teacher, Q'ero Paqo initiated in Andean traditional healing, and a community-based full-spectrum Doula — centering the ethic of healing justice in all her work. She lives on Lenape land in the New York City metro area with her tiny-sized, big-dog-energy pup.
Teresa also serves as Programs & Grants Coordinator for The Kota Alliance.
Program Flow:
Light Snacks, Beverages + Community Welcome
Opening Ceremony + Ritual w/DeenaLynn Dockery-Collins
Book Reading w/Teresa Mateus
Q+A Hosted by Poet/Social Worker/Activist Betty Pierre
Book signing - books will be availble for purchase on site and available here for pre-order (released April 22, 2025).
Q+A Host: Betty Pierre, LMSW:
Betty Pierre, LMSW is a Haitian American Social Worker, Poet and Activist who lives, writes, and performs poetry in New York and Florida. She is the author of a poetry collection Babel 2007 (Infinity Publishing). Multilingual, she weaves Creole, French and Spanish into her poems reaching broad audiences with the scope of her pieces. She has published in community newspapers and received an Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry (2006). She is a recognized Writer’s Digest International book award poet. She received a World of Poetry merit certificate for her poem Once the Bountiful. Her powerful poem Who is Jane? was published in the International Women’s Writers Guild Black History Month journal (2021). Her landmark poem, Who will Save the Children addressed the issues of child abuse. She is currently working on finalizing her second poetry collection, Nothing in Isolation. She is a member of the Bronx Council of the Arts, The National Writers Union, and the International Women’s Writer’s Guild.
Opening Ceremony + Ritual Facilitator: DeenaLynn Dockery-Collins, MSOM, LMT, CYT, RMT:
DeenaLynn holds a Master’s in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, an A.O.S. degree and licensure in Massage Therapy and is a Certified Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master and Teacher. Her holistic approach focuses on building curricula and partnerships that promote well-being, particularly within disenfranchised communities, including BIPOC/QTBIPOC+. With over 20 years of experience as a healer and trauma healing facilitator, DeenaLynn combines mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, movement, breath-work, and bodywork to help clients reset and achieve balance in their lives. Her journey as a healer began over 35 years ago, inspired by personal trauma and a deep desire for inner peace. This led her to spiritual healing, African spirituality, and alternative medicine. Today, her mission is to guide others toward conscious, joyful, and balanced living through natural healing techniques.
Additional Event Details:
If the event is sold out and you would like to be put on the waitlist, please email info@kota-alliance.org.
Please note that by attending the event, you consent to film or photos from the event, potentially including your image, being shared publicly.
📍 Location & Accessibility
The Kota Alliance is located in the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood of West Harlem in walking distance from the A/B/C/D 145th Station and C 155th Station, along the M3 bus line.
Parking is very limited, with few street spots; the nearest paid lots are at 414 W 155th St and 457 W 150th St. Please note that our historic building currently lacks wheelchair accessibility (we are actively fundraising to change this). There are steps up from street level, as well as additional steps in the house. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Harlem Teen Artist Q&A: The Meaning of Place
Harlem Teen Artist Q&A: The Meaning of Place
You are invited to a Q&A session with the talented Teen Artists of The Meaning of Place Exhibit on November 16th at 6pm at the Kota Alliance.
This powerful exhibit showcases the work of Harlem’s women, non-binary and teen artists, whose creations capture the nuanced and complex experiences of life in Harlem. Through multigenerational perspectives, the exhibit explores how age, gender, and identity shape our sense of belonging. These artists, inspired by traditions of celebration and liberation, share their stories of joy, grief, resilience, and everything that connects us to our home and heritage.
Join us to hear directly from the young artists and dive deeper into the meaning of place, identity, and community in Harlem.
Participating Teen Artists
Luna Abreu, Stefanie Beckworth, Leilah Cohen, Nermin Hamdan, Ahmir Linder, Simbiat Onikosi, Jayda Schiavone
Harlem Women and Non-Binary Artist Q&A: The Meaning of Place
Harlem Women and Non-Binary Artist Q&A: The Meaning of Place
You are invited to a Q&A session with the talented Harlem Women and Non-Binary Artists of The Meaning of Place Exhibit on November 14th at 6pm at the Kota Alliance.
This powerful exhibit showcases the work of Harlem’s women, non-binary and teen artists, whose creations capture the nuanced and complex experiences of life in Harlem. Through multigenerational perspectives, the exhibit explores how age, gender, and identity shape our sense of belonging. These artists, inspired by traditions of celebration and liberation, share their stories of joy, grief, resilience, and everything that connects us to our home and heritage.
Join us to hear directly from the artists and dive deeper into the meaning of place, identity, and community in Harlem.
Participating Women and Non-binary Artists
Isa Balbi, Yael Ben-Zion, Sade Boyewa El, Ana Bravo, Natalie Brown, Cathleen Campbell, Lisa Dubois, Shimonda Emanuel, Emilie Frias, Wilhelmina Grant-Cooper, Isis Hannah, Julia Justo, Jiji Kricorian, Rafaela Luna, Nazia Malik, Kelly Mares, Laurie Markiewicz, Tomo Mori, Jennyfer Parra, Arlene Pineda, Jenni Surasky, Christina Tapper, Arza Young
The Meaning of Place Art Exhibit Opening Reception
Art Exhibition Opening Reception: The Meaning of Place
The Kota Alliance is excited to present the opening reception for our 2024 Art Exhibit, The Meaning of Place, on November 7th at 6PM at the Kota Alliance.
Discover this amazing showcase of Harlem women & non-binary and teen artists whose work explores the complexities of life in Harlem through multigenerational perspectives, emphasizing how age, gender, and identity influence our sense of place and belonging. Inspired by artistic practices rooted in celebration and liberation, these Harlem artists express joy, grief, pain, and everything in between that connects us to where we live, where we come from, how our identities shaped—and are shaped by—our multifaceted sense of community.
A special youth section features teenage artists. Beyond echoing the mutually-shared experiences of adult residents, the teenage artists reveal unexpected insights into growing up in Harlem today. While honoring the historic legacy of Harlem’s Black and Latinx communities, this exhibit also empowers younger generations to express their unique relationships to that legacy, while envisioning the future.
The art exhibition will run from November 7th to December 6th, 2024.
Harlem Women and Non-binary Artist Q&A session Nov 14th at 6pm. Sign up here!
Harlem Teen Artist Q&A session Nov 16th at 6pm. Sign up here!
Participating Women and Non-binary Artists
Yael Ben-Zion, Sade Boyewa El, Ana Bravo, Natalie Brown, Cathleen Campbell, Lisa Dubois, Shimoda Donna Emanuel, Emilie Frias, Wilhelmina Grant-Cooper, Isis Hannah, Julia Justo, Jivan Kricorian-Salomon, Rafaela Luna, Nazia Malik, Kelly Mares, Laurie Markiewicz, Tomo Mori, Jennyfer Parra, Arlene Pineda, Jenni Surasky, Christina M. Tapper, Arza Young
Participating Teen Artists
Luna Abreu, Stefanie Beckworth, Leilah Cohen, Nermin Hamdan Garcia, Ahmir Linder, Simbiat Onikosi, Jayda Schiavone
Meet the Co-Curators
Rafaela Luna, born in the Dominican Republic and currently based in New York City, is an artist whose work delves into social tensions, focusing on themes of race, ethnicity, and gender. Her art explores how society is segmented, using personal memories as a foundation. Inspired by the cultural iconography, patterns, and colors of her upbringing, Luna translates these elements into her canvases, creating works that confront and reflect the complexities of identity and social division.
Cathleen Campbell is a filmmaker and photographer who was recently selected for the A'Lelia Bundles Scholars program at Columbia University. Campbell has photographed Harlem for decades, though she has only recently begun exhibiting her work. In addition to her photographic work, she has built a career as an independent filmmaker, working on various productions and directing her own short films, including Langston Hughes’ NO CRYSTAL STAIR. Her photographs have been featured in 22 group shows and 2 solo exhibitions. One of her solo shows, VISIBLE/INVISIBLE, SEEN/UNSEEN: Harlem Portraits by Cathleen Campbell, at Hamilton Grange Library, was featured on Spectrum NY-1 News. She is a Yale graduate and a longtime Harlem resident.
Women Artist Mentoring Workshop with Ruthy Valdez "How to Price Your Art and Manage Exhibits & Galleries"
As part of the Kota Alliance Artist Mentoring Program, Ruthy Valdez will guide women artists on how to price their art and manage exhibits and galleries effectively.
Influenced by her Dominican and Turkish heritage, Ruthy brings a rich, multicultural perspective to her work, where even a simple butterfly can symbolize deeper connections. Each brushstroke in her art celebrates the beauty of diverse experiences.
Join us on October 10th, 6-8PM, and gain valuable insights into promoting and managing your artistic career!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn and network with fellow women artists in a supportive environment. See you there!
Register through Eventbrite here:
Women Artist mentoring workshop "How to promote your Art through Social media"
As part of the Kota Alliance Artist mentoring program, Ruthy Valdez will teach women artists to promote their work more efficiently through social media.
Growing up in a culturally diverse environment and influenced by both Dominican and Turkish traditions, Ruthy’s art is infused with a unique cultural perspective that is both timeless and universal.
Join our workshop and learn how you can reach wider audiences for your art!
Please register through the QR code or sign up in Eventbrite here: https://shorturl.at/hioop
Healing Writing Workshop
A Second "WRITING OUR WAY THROUGH IT" Workshop in Our Series, Welcome to New Folx and Previous Attendees, no need to have joined our first session to be with us this June 15th!
This workshop will be an experimental and interactive space for us to be creative in community with each other and share the stories living in our hearts and imaginations. The space is open to anyone interested and there is no need to have writing experience. Bring your hopes, fears, joys, and heaviness and we will write our way through the storyline of our own lives.
Come as you are and wear what is comfortable for you - we will have space to move our bodies, ground in meditation practice, hear from excerpts of a variety of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & Other People of Color) writers inspiring us to share our own stories - real or imaginary - in the space. You can bring a journal with you if you like, but we will also have writing supplies on site.
In these times in the world, in our communities, and in our own lives we can feel overwhelmed and overburdened by all that is going on and unable to slow the pace of life to just breathe and sit with what is brewing inside of us. This workshop is a space to slow down, be in community with each other, have fun, find joy, share and release a little of the heaviness of our own load we carry. Come with a playful spirit and you can bring a favorite book or story if you like to share about in the space!
Mommy & Me Art Mentoring Workshop
Celebrate mothers month with Kota and artist Ruthy Valdez at our "Mommy & Me" artist mentoring workshop where West Harlem moms and mother figures and their kids create art together!
Ruthy Valdez is a surrealist artist from Harlem and Washington Heights. She creates imaginative pieces imbued with symbolic meaning by skillfully blending colors and intricate patterns. Through her thought provoking and dynamic paintings, Ruthy unravels some of life’s deeper mysteries and meanings. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment and influenced by both Dominican and Turkish traditions, Ruthy’s art is infused with a unique cultural perspective that is both timeless and universal.
In Ruthy’s world, the simple flutter of a butterfly becomes a symbol of a more intricate relationship. Every brushstroke in her painting celebrates life’s variety and experience.
This event is free of charge.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mommy-me-art-mentoring-workshop-tickets-896644215987?aff=oddtdtcreator
Writing Our Way Through It - Writing Workshop
This workshop will be an experimental and interactive space for us to be creative in community with each other and share the stories living in our hearts and imaginations. The space is open to anyone interested and there is no need to have writing experience. Bring your hopes, fears, joys, and heaviness and we will write our way through the storyline of our own lives.
Learn more about Teresa Mateus who will lead the workshop.