SANKƆFA: Going back to fetch your inner voice | Derise Tolliver Atta | TEDxDePaulUniversity

Sat, 09 May 2026 21:35:05 +0200

In her presentation, “SANKOFA: Going back to fetch your inner voice,” Derise Tolliver Atta challenges viewers to “re-member” who they truly are.

Tolliver Atta is a faculty mentor and tenured associate professor in DePaul University’s School for New Learning. She describes herself as a clinical psychologist by training and a healer by nature. Her life’s mission is to help people “re-member” who they truly are, which she facilitates through her teaching, scholarship and service. Tolliver Atta has written and presented on African-centered education and psychology, spirituality and culture in adult learning, competence-based education, international education and program development, happiness, wellness, and healing from racism and oppression. She has been recognized at the university level for excellence in teaching and her commitment to diversity and social justice. Tolliver Atta also takes adult learners on short-term study abroad programs to West Africa and has directed a bachelor’s degree completion program for adult learners in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also a poet.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx