Who is The Radical Empath?
Obella Obbo (he/him) is a Identity & Wellness specialist, a licensed therapist, and a creative artist who loves to talk about identity, cultivate healing and growth environments, and strategize on how to show compassion through intentional action.
His personal and professional experiences - which meet at the intersection of multiculturalism, education, social justice, mental health, and wellness - have rigorously prepared him to do comprehensive and expansive work with diverse populations with a lens that is naturally inclined toward the understanding and acceptance of difference.
In his education and early professional development, through his pursuit of my Masters in Clinical Psychology, he has worked with college prep programs with low income communities, domestic violence organizations doing restorative justice work that serves both survivors and alleged perpetrators, respite sites for children with behavioral disabilities, & multicultural affairs centers at elite PWIs. These experiences have informed his work in DEI consulting spaces where he’s engaged with corporate clients across the industry spectrum including: urban planning, communications media, advertising agencies, finance firms, business management consultants, tech incubators, startups, & more. This has translated into a personal mindset that has a rich diversity of thought and a depth of understanding that, through his counseling background, has contributed to a deep passion for facilitation. As a learning experience designer he has adapted the knowledge gained across various industries and circles and translated it into adaptable, engaging, and enriching experiences that garner empathy while modeling behaviors that create healthy workplace environments. In the therapeutic environment, he offers a safe, empowering space, free of judgment, to engage in a collaborative dialogue exploring your narrative. Using styles like DBT and REBT, and theories rooted in feminist, womanist, queer, and decolonial studies; he guides clients (individual and organizational) to becoming fully actualized while establishing deep connection to oneself and others. In all spaces, Obella has been a fierce advocate for inclusive practices that are reflective of a moral imperative for equity & belonging. That, in conjunction with his fundamental research and counseling background has made him a generalist or a ‘Jack of All Trades.’ He is often considered the “swiss army knife” of any organization he partners with. He also has experience in event management, data assessment, diversity recruitment, marketing, branding, engagement strategizing, facilitating, supporting affinity spaces, and leadership development.
Both personally and professionally, Obella has been fortunate to interact with and learn from leaders, educators, and peers who hold diversity, inclusion, education, mental health & wellness, and social justice in high regard. He is passionate about this work, and devoted to pursuing transformational change with organizations who are equally as committed to results.
I have always tried to offer others the opportunity to be who they are without judgement. I have always felt keenly aware of the shame and fear that obstructs people, myself included, from being the most authentic versions of themselves. I made it my life’s purpose to figure out why these things held so much control over our actions, and what we (and the world) might be if we were to let them go.
I’ve learned that the systems and structures that have been built around our culture today stand on a foundation of white settler colonialism, white supremacy, capitalism, racism, sexism, homophobia, fear mongering, and so much more hate. I’ve learned that those structures were built to make it easy to sit in our suffering, and accept less than we deserve. I’ve learned that those structures do not like being ignored; that pushing back against those systems comes with adversity. That adversity will look like shame, invalidation, fear, anxiety, depression, anger, and everything in between.
I’ve learned that we were built to be broken. And learning that radicalized me. I’ve also learned that there is a path of wellness that makes space to acknowledge the harm we’ve endured and release it so that we can grow fuller, love freer, and live healthier. I’ve learned that this healing practice has a place everywhere in our society. In our businesses, in our policies, in our popular culture, and in our personal lives. I believe we can be better for having been broken, if we aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and say that we are. And I’ve learned that that is a radical belief.
I am The Radical Empath.
I stand in fierce opposition to the hurt we endure as a result of the oppressions we’re socialized to impose on ourselves and the world around us. I use my years of experience and my lens as a Black, queer, second-generation East African man to decolonize those beliefs and reframe them so that we can empower ourselves to be the truest versions of ourselves, and create a community of healing and acceptance.
I hope to guide folks into the depths of their identity through my workshops, my trainings, executive coaching and strategy work, group programming, and other intentional opportunities for connection. Feel free to follow me and my dialogues through newsletters and social media and connect with me to learn more about my work.
All my absolute best,
Obella