who i am

i am zara raven.

(name or z in lieu of pronouns). i am a Mad, Caribbean genderqueer mama of Black, Spanish, Taíno, and Arab descent. i am a facilitator, a zinester, a mediator, a transformative justice practitioner, and a somatic coach focused on individual wellness, intimate relationships, and community care.

i am the codirector of healing justice organization Safer Movements Collective that supports community organizers with peer mental health support, relational skill building, and mutual aid, and i am a coordinator of the Philly Childcare Collective.

my work is informed by my lived experiences as a former sex worker, a survivor of state & interpersonal violence, a caregiver, and over a decade of practice in transformative justice, or community based strategies for creating safety without policing.

dancing & crafting bring me joy, tarot & journaling support me with self-reflection. i bring these practices into work with folks interested in exploring healing and wellness in holistic ways.

my work has been featured in Truthout, Teen Vogue, Slate, Hustler Magazine, Washington Post, and more.