ABOUT SANKOFA HEALTH
“Se wo were fi na wo Sankofa a yenki”
(It is not a taboo to return and
fetch it when you forget).
The Adinkra Dictionary (Willis, 1998)
SANKOFA
The concept of Sankofa is derived from the Akan people of West Africa. The Sankofa Adinkra symbol is commonly expressed as a bird with its head turned backward taking an egg from its back. It advises us that we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward. Symbolizing a quest for knowledge and examination, Sankofa Health honors this transformation by connecting it to the work we do within, on our mats, and in our communities.
Who We Are
Sankofa Health is a community focused health center providing inclusive and culturally responsive healthcare services to include: mental health, group therapy and counseling, and weekly support groups. In addition to our on-site mental health services, we also provide a wide-range of medical services through state and federal government contracting. Sankofa Health currently has active contracts with Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Department of the Environment.
With a focus on community health Sankofa strives for inclusivity by creating an environment that understands and can treat a diverse population of people. Our holistic approach to healthcare, which incorporates traditional medicine along with yoga, meditation, and therapy gives our patients the tools needed for a healthier lifestyle.
Sankofa was founded to provide quality patient experience in an inclusive, accepting environment with focus on integrative healthcare. Sankofa’s mission is to give patients the tools needed for a healthier lifestyle by placing emphasis on using holistic practices such as yoga, meditation, and therapy along with traditional treatment options.
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
MARCUS PONDER, MBA
Founder and CEO
Marcus Ponder was taught the importance of service at a young age, watching the selfless acts of his grandmother, a volunteer health care aide, advisory neighborhood commissioner, community activist, and founder of the Children of Mine Youth Center. She initially set out to transform a neighborhood and later an entire community.
It was those experiences that inspired him to create organizations solely focused on solving needs within communities of color, specifically in health and wellness. As someone who witnessed firsthand the negative impact of the lack of quality and accessible care, Marcus felt a call to action in changing that narrative. With that, he co-founded Sankofa Yoga & Wellness Center and founded Sankofa Health Center, located in Laurel, MD. Prior to opening Sankofa Health, Marcus spent a decade in corporate finance and operations at top organizations leading large-scale transformation initiatives in financial services, technology, and higher education. He holds an MBA and bachelor’s in Finance and is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
TAMISHA J. PONDER, A.B.D., E-RYT
Wellness Director
Tamisha J. Ponder found yoga at a time when her years as a community organizer had taken a toll on her well-being. Learning how to navigate stress and anxiety through her own yoga practice, Tamisha decided to become a yoga teacher in 2012 to share with her community. She is an ERYT, RPYT, Reiki Master Teacher, Thai Massage Specialist, Fertility Doula, Birth Doula and co-founder/owner of Sankofa Yoga and Wellness Center. With over a decade of experience in diversity, equity and inclusion in Higher Education, she is currently completing her doctoral degree in Language, Literacy and Culture and holds a master's degree in Women's and Gender Studies: Health and Sexuality, and a bachelor's degree in Journalism with minors in History and Black Women's Studies. Tamisha is rooted in community healing and community advocacy, and is a life member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
BRITTANY BAKER, DNP
Medical Advisor
Brittany Baker, DNP, FNP-C, CNE, has extensive experience as a Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and Clinic Director. With over 12 years working in healthcare, most recently as clinical director for a large healthcare organization, Brittany provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to the management team. In addition to her leadership in various organizations, Brittany also enjoys giving back to aspiring health professionals. She currently lectures at North Carolina Central University, Duke University, and Durham Tech Community College working with students from all backgrounds. As lecturer, Brittany has also had several publications focusing on the disparities of minorities in healthcare. Brittany is member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
MEET OUR MENTAL HEALTH TEAM
Dr. LaShaunna Lipscomb, PhD-LCPC
LaShaunna Lipscomb, affectionately known as “Dr. L” started as a young girl who loved to learn and just wanted to help people. This small desire lead her to Morgan State University where she quickly realized that this dream to be a therapist also meant that her matriculation would not end after receiving her Bachelors Degree. There was no hesitation as she went on to receive her Mater’s Degree and clinical training at Towson University and completed her doctorate degree in Urban social work at Morgan State University. Dr. L has been a licensed mental health clinician for over 15 years. She has worked with individuals, children and families throughout the DMV area. She is the owner of Journey Into Wellness, LLC; a hub for wellness services to aid in healing the mind, body, and spirit.
Billie Shabazz, LCSW-C
Billie is an affirming, strengths-based clinician who believes that everything we need is already within us; life just has a way of making us forget. With wellness practices like therapy, movement & mindfulness we can be encouraged and supported to return to our center, remembering who we are. Over the years, Bille has worked with diverse populations of folx in Baltimore and the DMV area. Billie's therapeutic approach is person-centered and includes techniques that will help you explore your thought patterns & behaviors (CBT), build skills to manage your emotions (DBT), and recover from unprocessed trauma (brainspotting).
Billie received her Bachelor's degree from Towson University and her Master's degree in Social Work from Morgan State University. Since that time, Billie has continued her education receiving her Energy & Sound Healing Certification and 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training from Sankofa Yoga & Wellness Center.
With Billie, you won't have to choose which version of you shows up. Every part is welcome.
Lauren I. Allen, LMSW, M.Ed
Lauren Allen, LMSW, M.Ed, RYT is originally from the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. In 2011, she graduated from Bowie State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. In 2014, she earned a Master of Social Work and certificate of Trauma Treatment and Practice in Social Work from Widener University. In 2018, she earned a Master of Education in Human Sexuality with an emphasis in Sex Therapy at Widener University. Lauren completed the Askable Adult certificate program through the Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative. Through this program, she was educated on how to talk to young people about topics of sex and sexuality in a culturally and developmentally appropriate way. The topics of focus were but not limited to, intimacy, gender identity, sexuality, reproductive health, and sexualization. Also, Lauren is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher.
Lauren choose the path of Social Work because of her love and passion for helping others. Social Work has brought much joy as well as challenges. Nonetheless, she would not change her career path though initially she wanted to do policy work. However, after interning as an individual therapist and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer during her last year of graduate school, all of that changed. The two experiences solidified for her the path she would take in the field of Social Work, that of therapist. Helping people to process through their experiences and finding healing and freedom has brought Lauren great joy and purpose.
As a therapist, Lauren’s background includes working with adolescents suffering from severe behavioral and social-emotional challenges, abuse and neglect, mental health challenges, and addictions. She has worked with different family systems by providing therapy to improve family systems functioning by helping individuals overcome personal challenges by identifying the underlying issues that contribute to the family system presenting the problem. Other areas Lauren specializes in are anger management, women’s issues, grief/loss issues, attachment related issues, parent-child relational problems, and school problems. In therapy her my goal is to focus on and strengthen the abilities of the client. In doing so, it’s her hope to move clients from existing to thriving and living life to their fullest potential.
Alicia Carter, MSW
Alicia Carter, MSW, has a passion and a heart for helping and serving all people in need. The lessons instilled in her during a very early age in life to always be kind and to not judge people based on their circumstances and situations. Alicia received her master's in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore, and bachelor's in Social Work from Bowie State University. Working in the Social Work field for over 10 years, she has experience working in the arena of mental health/psychiatric care, child welfare, domestic violence, at risk teens, child abuse and neglect, drug/alcohol abuse, drug exposed newborns, and social work policy. Alicia has also worked with the American Red Cross as a first responder during a natural disaster throughout the country helping those who experienced a tornado, fire or hurricane by providing food, shelter for the families impacted.
Her meditation journey began in her late twenties finding out her purpose in life and seeking to find balance and peace of mind. Alicia decided to deepen her practice by completing the Jiivana Meditation Teacher Training, Usui Reiki Level System of Natural Healing Level 1 Training and Thai Yogi Massage in 2019 through Spiritual Essence Yoga and Wellness Center.
In 2020 she received additional certifications in becoming a Life Coach, a third degree Usui Reiki Master as well as Level 2 Thai Yoga Massage Training through Spiritual Essence Yoga and Wellness Center.
In the Community
Marcus and Tamisha Ponder were invited to speak at Maryland University of Integrative Health in January 2022. They spoke about the impact and barriers of integrative health in underrepresented communities. The two discussed what they have learned on their quest to achieve greater equity and what is required to perpetuate a more inclusive integrative community health model.
