The Authentic Expression of My Voice

Orland Bishop describes the unique blend of mentoring, peacemaking, and community leadership that takes place at his L.A.-based Shade Tree Multicultural Foundation. Orland explains how mentoring dialogue integrates human cognition with the continuities of nature, releasing energy into the human personality in the form of willpower and inspiration.

Orland Bishop is the founder and director of ShadeTree Multicultural Foundation in Los Angeles, where he has pioneered approaches to urban truces and mentoring at-risk youth that combine new ideas with traditional ways of knowledge. ShadeTree serves as an intentional community of mentors, elders, teachers, artists, healers and advocates for the healthy development of children and youth. Orland's work in healing and human development is framed by an extensive study of medicine, naturopathy, psychology and indigenous cosmologies, primarily those of South and West Africa. Full bio and links »