Hello, my name is Joél Simone Maldonado aka The Grave Woman. I am a sacred end of life and grief care professional, award winning educator and and founder of The Black Death, Grief, and Cultural Care Academy. I specialize in educating professionals about the importance of Cultural Competency, Racial Inclusion and Diversity in end of life, death and grief care.
I have worked in the death care industry since 2010 and have over 15 years experience in the health care industry. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Compassion and Choices, as co-chair of the boards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee and volunteer on the organizations African American Leadership Council.
I educate the public through having open and honest conversations about death, dying, death care and grief culture through the use of my courses, podcast, YouTube channel and social media platforms.
What is the Black Death, Grief and Cultural Care Academy?
The Black Death, Grief, and Cultural Care Academy is an online end of life and death care academy dedicated to sharing the sacred art, wisdom, and knowledge of caring Black for bodies in transition and after death. The Black Death, Grief, and Cultural Care Academy was birthed from the lack of formal education, practical and technical training in health, end of life and death care education as it relates to caring for Black patients, deceased, their grieving loved ones and communities.
We are currently accepting applications for our 2024 cohort which will launch March 21st, 2023. All are welcome to apply regardless of age, race, religion, professional affiliation or background.
Our Value Statement
The Black Death, Grief, and Cultural Care Academy is dedicated to honoring, preserving, and sharing Black end of life, death, and grief care, ceremony, rituals and culture.
Our Mission
"Educate. Empower. Improve."
We aim to eradicate the disenfranchisement of Black patients, decedents, and grieving communities through educating professionals about the proper care of Black bodies, hair, skin, and cosmetic needs while honoring spiritual and religious rituals, cultural nuances, grief, and mourning practices and holding space for the consideration of folklore, superstition, and other professionally taboo aspects of Black end of life and death care.
I have worked in the death care industry since 2010 and have over 15 years experience in the health care industry. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Compassion and Choices, as co-chair of the boards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee and volunteer on the organizations African American Leadership Council.
I educate the public through having open and honest conversations about death, dying, death care and grief culture through the use of my courses, podcast, YouTube channel and social media platforms.
What is the Black Death, Grief and Cultural Care Academy?
The Black Death, Grief, and Cultural Care Academy is an online end of life and death care academy dedicated to sharing the sacred art, wisdom, and knowledge of caring Black for bodies in transition and after death. The Black Death, Grief, and Cultural Care Academy was birthed from the lack of formal education, practical and technical training in health, end of life and death care education as it relates to caring for Black patients, deceased, their grieving loved ones and communities.
We are currently accepting applications for our 2024 cohort which will launch March 21st, 2023. All are welcome to apply regardless of age, race, religion, professional affiliation or background.
Our Value Statement
The Black Death, Grief, and Cultural Care Academy is dedicated to honoring, preserving, and sharing Black end of life, death, and grief care, ceremony, rituals and culture.
Our Mission
"Educate. Empower. Improve."
We aim to eradicate the disenfranchisement of Black patients, decedents, and grieving communities through educating professionals about the proper care of Black bodies, hair, skin, and cosmetic needs while honoring spiritual and religious rituals, cultural nuances, grief, and mourning practices and holding space for the consideration of folklore, superstition, and other professionally taboo aspects of Black end of life and death care.