Sovern is an intersectional
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Image of two hands uplifting a green palm leaf against a red background.
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We are committed to amplifying Black and Indigenous voices through our platform including BIWOC artists, makers and practitioners who lead our core programming.
Everything we do supports our community's mental health and well-being. We provide free and donation based offerings that provide nourishment and connection.
In addition to our group programming, we feature rotating art exhibitions, host artists in our residence unit and support emerging wellness practitioners who offer 1:1 services in our healing suite.
Image of Erlinda Carter, one of Sovern's co-founders, embracing community sound healer Shanee Fin against a soft yellowish beige background.
OUR WORLD IS SOFT, SAFE
& FULL OF POWER.
Image of two brown hands holding and embracing each other against a red background.
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STAFF
Erlinda Carter
Co-founder, Community Engagement Director Erlinda was raised and currently resides in South LA. She has extensive experience in customer service management and is a full spectrum birthworker and passionate community advocate. She stepped out on faith and trust to lead Sovern inspired by watching others in her community create powerful spaces for folks of color with a desire to apply her skillset and perspectives to build a hub for BIWOC+ wellbeing. |
Nicole Shostak-Sabourian
Co-founder, Artistic Director Nicole, Director of Advancement, has a B.A. from Cornell University in Art History. Nicole is passionate about building intersectional art and healing spaces that center decoloniality and learns every day how to be a better ally in supporting Sovern's growth. After years of observing gross inequities and cultural appropriation across the fields of art and wellness as well as the barriers to access and inclusivity in for-profit models, she sought to build Sovern as a non-profit model solution. |
Rima Thierry
Co-founder, Wellness Director With a masters in Public health administration from the University of Michigan, Rima has extensive experience in project coordination and building systems. Rima is also a certified Kundalini, Hatha and prenatal yoga teacher, birth worker, herbalist and energy healer. As a first generation Palestinian American and daughter of refugees, she is passionate about the decolonization of wellness practices and the healing of intergenerational trauma. |
Cinthya Silverstein
Cultural Programs Director Cinthya is an integral part of Sovern's team with a focus on grant writing and building out cultural programming. A photographer with a BA in Anthropology from the University of California Los Angeles, she is a natural observer, documenting the world around her by making images. Her work focuses on the power of visual narrative and addressing constructed ideas around space and identity. Her most current work focuses on addressing the visuality of birth, focusing on how birth photography can augment agency and liberation that can empower Black and Brown birthing bodies and impact maternal health outcomes. |
Maia Ramirez-Beaver
Operations Assistant Maia Ramirez-Beaver, born in 1998 in Los Angeles, California, is a versatile artist whose work reflects a profound connection to her roots and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a specialized emphasis in painting and a minor in sustainability, forging a unique blend of artistic expression and environmental consciousness. "Sovern is a beautiful and diverse family and community, a place of creativity and safety. Being a team member at Sovern has been such an educational and fulfilling experience." |
Austin Lee
Curatorial Assistant Born in Koreatown and now living in Pasadena, Austin Lee is an undergraduate working toward a BA in visual arts with a concentration in sculpture. His passion for the arts and commitment to building power and sovereignty in communities of color have found a perfect intersection in his work at Sovern, which he finds to be driven by authenticity, love and honesty. Following the completion of his 10-week-long internship as a Getty Marrow Curatorial Intern, he now works as a curatorial assistant, helping the team develop its rotating art exhibitions and one-off offerings. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christina Tajalli
Board President General Counsel, PICTURESTART As Head of Business Affairs at Picturestart, an independent film/TV studio, Christina Tajalli negotiates and drafts above-the-line and license agreements across Picturestart’s feature, television and digital divisions. She is a member of FEME (Female Executives in Media & Entertainment) and its diversity committee. Christina came across Sovern as a community member in the pursuit of healing justice - seeking a place to grieve personal loss and to practice meaningful self-care. Sovern has taught her that the practice of wellness is a multifaceted endeavor - chief among them being surrounding yourself with other women of color who validate your lived experiences, empathize with your suffering and celebrate your joy and glory. |
Rena Braud
Board Member Realtor, Compass and RenaRealEstate With over thirty years of experience and expertise, Rena is one of Los Angeles' most trusted and top producing Realtors and Real Estate Strategists. Born and raised in South LA, Rena comes from a lineage of Real Estate Investors and legacy Realtors. Rena is passionate and skilled at bringing Californians' dreams of homeownership to life. Rena is grateful to be a part of Sovern's community and its mission of helping women heal through arts, movement and wellness. This kind of dedication is indeed incredibly important, as it recognizes the holistic nature of healing and well-being, empowers creativity and self discovery and inspires positive changes in a safe and non-judgmental space. |
Whitney Davis-Houston, J.D.
Board Member Attorney at Law, WHD Firm Whitney was raised in South LA and is passionate about giving back to the community. Well-versed in all areas of business law and civil litigation, Whitney's legal practice specializes in real estate and entertainment law. Her passion for justice for clients extends to her nonprofit work. As Board President for A New Way of Life, Whitney works on behalf of the organization in whatever capacity is needed to ensure the success of women recently freed from incarceration. Whitney is also a mother of two sons who are her greatest source of pride. |
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