I am Maya-Gawonii, and I can’t wait to meet you.
“There is so much powerful, perspective-shifting work being done by [Maya-Gawonii].” - past workshop participant
Welcome to Cowrie Crossings, the home of justice-rooted workshops, communal grief work, death-care coaching, and an online archive of liberatory writing by Maya-Gawonii.
Workshops & Trainings – Embodied DEI, solidarity economies, and visionary strategy labs.
Community Grief & Healing Circles – Space to mourn, remember, and re-imagine together.
Death-Care Consultations – Tools and rituals for living (and dying) with intention.
Reading Room – Visit My Writing for essays that braid Afro-Indigenous wisdom, feminist praxis, and movement storytelling into practical, shareable insight.
Join an upcoming circle, commission a custom gathering, or get lost in the words that light the way.
questions? email cowriecrossings@gmail.com
Formerly known by another name, I now walk as Maya Gawonii Shabazz-Saleh—honoring my Hoodoo woman identity, Tsalagi heritage, Black liberation lineages, and the last name of my Grandfather, who is now an ancestor.
My Approach
Feedback from past participants
“[Maya-Gawonii] facilitated a great workshop grounded in safety and support. The conversation encouraged incredible conversation with a wonderful group of people. Super grateful for this resource and would highly recommend to anyone.” - Loving Community workshop participant
“[Maya-Gawonii] is an amazing facilitator and it was apparent that she put so much thought and love into the workshop.”
Liberatory Facilitation
I design and hold justice-rooted gatherings that weave grief, ritual, and radical imagination into transformative experiences. Whether through embodied strategy workshops, community healing circles, or one-on-one death-care consultations, I center Afro-Indigenous cosmologies, trauma-informed facilitation, and Black feminist ethics. Together, we create brave spaces to mourn our losses, honor ancestors, and co-create visionary futures grounded in solidarity, presence, and collective wholeness.
Get in Touch!
Schedule a free consultation with me for either coaching or DEI workshop facilitation.
