A Framework by Shanique Victoria Edwards

C.U.L.T.U.R.E.
Framework

An AfriDiasporic model for healing-centred mental health practice in the Black community

Developed by Shanique Victoria Edwards, the C.U.L.T.U.R.E. © Framework is an AfriDiasporic, equity-driven, and healing-centred model that blends clinical evidence with Black cultural wisdom.

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The Approach

What is an AfriDiasporic Approach?

Anchored in the shared histories, resilience, and wisdom of people of African descent across the diaspora.

An AfriDiasporic approach, a term coined by Shanique Victoria Edwards, frames healing as a collective act of reclamation — one that is deeply rooted in culture, history, and interdependence.

Guided by the principles of Sankofa, Ubuntu, and the Nguzo Saba, this approach invites practitioners and leaders to embody truth, connection, and accountability in the pursuit of transformative and sustainable wellness.

Definition

AfriDiasporic (adj.)— centring the shared histories, cultural practices, and wisdom of people of African descent across the global diaspora. Distinct from strictly Afrocentric frameworks, an AfriDiasporic lens honours the plurality and movement of Black experience across regions, generations, and contexts.

Term coined by Shanique Victoria Edwards. A short video explaining the distinction is coming soon.

Purpose & Effectiveness

Bridging Western clinical models with culturally grounded healing.

The C.U.L.T.U.R.E. © Framework equips professionals, researchers, and change leaders with actionable strategies to challenge bias, foster equity, and build restorative relationships within the Black community — leading to meaningful, sustainable change.

Target Audience

Designed for those embedding cultural intelligence into their work.

Clinicians, leaders, educators, and advocates committed to equity and healing-centred care. Ideal for those leading within clinical, organizational, educational, community, or policy contexts in the Black community.

The Seven Tenets

C.U.L.T.U.R.E. Principles

Each pillar guides practitioners to honour cultural history, unlearn biases, deeply listen to lived experiences, tailor interventions, uplift community voices, practise restorative rituals, and advocate for equity-driven change.

01

C

Sankofa

Contextual Understanding

Healing begins with acknowledging the historical, cultural, and systemic factors shaping our experiences. Sankofa reminds us to draw wisdom from the past to inform present understanding and growth.

02

U

Ma’at

Unlearning Biases

This principle calls for examining and dismantling personal and systemic biases. Rooted in Ma’at, it promotes truth, balance, and ethical responsibility in all forms of practice.

03

L

Ubuntu & Ujima

Listening with Empathy

Through Ubuntu and Ujima, practitioners cultivate compassion, relational care, and shared responsibility. Empathetic listening strengthens trust and fosters authentic connection.

04

T

Nguzo Saba

Tailored Approaches

Culturally grounded interventions guided by the Nguzo Saba ensure that care is relevant, purposeful, and rooted in community values. This approach centres collective empowerment and cooperation.

05

U

Kujichagulia & Nommo

Uplifting Voices

By honouring Kujichagulia and Nommo, this principle amplifies storytelling, self-definition, and narrative ownership. It affirms the transformative power of language and authentic expression.

06

R

Holistic Healing & Nia

Restorative Healing Practices

Grounded in Nia, this principle emphasizes holistic healing that restores purpose, balance, and wellbeing. It calls for reflection, rest, and intentional practices that nurture renewal.

07

E

Intergenerational Healing

Equity-Driven Advocacy

This principle promotes justice-centred action and intergenerational healing. It challenges systemic inequities while advancing collective accountability and sustainable transformation.

Deeper Practice

Explore how each tenet lives in clinical practice.

Knowledge Base

C.U.L.T.U.R.E. in Practice

Each tenet of the framework pairs an Africentric principle with a clinical consideration and an applied example. Below is a deeper breakdown of how the seven tenets live in practice.

C

01 · Sankofa — Go Back & Fetch It

Contextual Understanding

Understanding history, intergenerational trauma, and cultural identity to inform healing and leadership.

Clinical Consideration

Recognize the historical and systemic factors that shape Black experiences, including intergenerational trauma, anti-Black racism, and social determinants of health (APA, 2017).

In Practice

Use narrative therapy and Ubuntu philosophy to explore a client's story of migration and resilience. Incorporate family legacy mapping to process grief and pride.

U

02 · Ma'at — Balance & Justice

Unlearning Biases

Relearning truth by dismantling Eurocentric biases and restoring Africentric worldviews in therapy, leadership, and policies.

Clinical Consideration

Engage in continuous self-reflection to unlearn personal and institutional biases. Challenge internalized and systemic racism through active education and accountability (Sue et al., 2019).

In Practice

Normalize spiritual visions, grief rituals, or emotional intensity as part of Black cultural traditions, not as symptoms of illness.

L

03 · Ubuntu — I Am Because We Are

Listening with Empathy

Active, relational listening that centers collective well-being over individualism.

Clinical Consideration

Use active and affirming listening practices that center the lived experiences of Black individuals without imposing dominant cultural narratives.

In Practice

Allow space for clients to share family sayings, proverbs, or spiritual experiences that reflect emotional truth and cultural meaning.

T

04 · Nguzo Saba — Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Tailored Approaches

Integrating cultural strengths such as self-determination, cooperative economics, and faith/spirituality in service delivery.

Clinical Consideration

Adapt interventions to align with Black-centered and Africentric values, cultural strengths, and spiritual resilience, integrating community and faith-based resources, where applicable (Boyd-Franklin, 2003).

In Practice

Include somatic grounding rituals, prayer, breathwork, or drumming as part of therapy. Invite discussion of body memory and ancestral wisdom.

U

05 · Nommo — The Power of the Spoken Word

Uplifting Voices

Amplifying Black voices by ensuring agency, self-definition, and narrative control.

Clinical Consideration

Prioritize collaborative decision-making, ensuring that Black clients and employees feel empowered in shaping their care, workplace policies, and overall experiences (Helms, 2015).

In Practice

Empower clients to co-create culturally rooted affirmations and legacy goals that align with their vision of healing.

R

06 · Holistic Healing — Mind, Body, Spirit & Community

Restorative Healing Practices

Incorporating spirituality, ancestral wisdom, movement, and storytelling as culturally relevant therapeutic tools.

Clinical Consideration

Acknowledge racial trauma and incorporate healing-centred, decolonized, and intersectional mental health strategies that support holistic well-being (Comas-Díaz, 2016).

In Practice

Invite clients to bring in family photos or stories to guide sessions. Use intergenerational narrative work to explore healing across time.

E

07 · Intergenerational Responsibility — Building for Future Generations

Equity-Driven Advocacy

Working toward long-term systemic change, ensuring sustainability for future generations.

Clinical Consideration

Move beyond performative allyship by actively dismantling barriers to inclusion, pushing for systemic change, and advocating for policies that uplift Black communities (APA, 2021).

In Practice

Assist clients in finding culturally safe supports. Provide therapy at reduced fees or refer to Black-led services when needed.

In Practice

Organizations Engaging with the Framework

The C.U.L.T.U.R.E. Framework has been presented to and positively received by organizations across clinical, governmental, correctional, community, faith-based, and research contexts.

Black Mental Health Canada logo

Black Mental Health Canada

Community Mental Health

Public Health Agency of Canada logo

Public Health Agency of Canada

Government

Correctional Service Canada logo

Correctional Service Canada

Correctional Services

Covenant Remnant Ministries logo

Covenant Remnant Ministries

Faith-Based

InnerCity Family Health Team logo

InnerCity Family Health Team

Primary Care

National Black Mental Health Conference

Research

Wilfrid Laurier University

Continuing Education

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Sample Pricing

Choose Your Tier

Five tiers of access, each mapped to a distinct practitioner or organizational use case. Pricing below is indicative and final pricing is to be confirmed.

Free 7-Day Trial
Basic

For Helpers & General Clinicians

Fast, accessible, practical

CA$19/month
  • Concise CULTURE walkthrough
  • DISCERN summary
  • Aligned Action suggestions
  • Quick reflection prompts
  • Limited monthly prompts
Free 7-Day Trial
Premium

For Practising Clinicians

Full clinical depth & scripts

CA$49/month
  • Full CULTURE framework application
  • DISCERN step-by-step formulation
  • Aligned Action at all levels
  • Sample clinician scripts
  • 8-session treatment formulations
  • Tenet video library
  • Downloadable worksheets (annual)
Supervisor

For Supervisors & Trainers

Fidelity review & scoring

CA$89/month
  • Everything in Premium
  • Gold-standard case formulation
  • Competency scoring rubric
  • Clinical errors identification
  • Low vs. high-fidelity script review
  • Growth recommendations
  • Train-the-trainer tools
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Research

For Researchers & Academics

Case to knowledge generation

Licensed
  • Thematic analysis tooling
  • Ethical interpretation cautions
  • Knowledge translation support
  • Research question generation
  • Qualitative coding categories
  • Policy brief templates
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Enterprise

For Organizations & Institutions

Systems-level transformation

Licensed
  • Organizational CULTURE application
  • Risk analysis & metrics
  • Policy recommendations
  • Leadership accountability tools
  • Custom implementation support
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Audit questions & KPIs
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Every tier is wrapped with the core framework guardrails: Continuum, Reflexive Inquiry, and the full CULTURE to DISCERN to Aligned Action flow. Research and Enterprise tiers require separate licensing agreements.

This tool is intended for educational and clinical guidance purposes only. It does not replace therapeutic care, clinical supervision, or sound professional judgment.

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