About me
Born into the Yoruba/Lucumi tradition and initiated in 1985 by Olusunmi (Lloyd Weaver) and Adeleti, Ibae (Wambui Mills) Mandisa Mchawi, Osun Moremi has been running Ocha kitchens for many years. Apprenticing with her ojubona since age 9, Mandisa contends that the kitchen is the heart and soul of the igbodu and has participated in thousands of initiations and ceremonies. Mandisa is a daughter, goddaughter, mother, godmother, sister, friend and mentor. Worshipping Orisa is part of her family fabric, celebrating 5 generations of initiated priests. Professionally, Mandisa has worked in youth development for over 25 years and earned her Master’s degree from CUNY SPS. She is the Assistant Director of Community Schools for 1 of the largest youth development CBO’s in NYC. She is currently the Board Chair for Egbe Iwa, a youth rites of passage program in NYC whose mission is to prepare and empower young men and women to assume age-appropriate responsibilities. In her leisure time, Mandisa enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling. In late 2025 Mandisa is looking forward to celebrating her 40th anniversary of receiving the ase of Osun.
