Our Story

My name is Salimah Hankins and I am an executive coach, attorney, and former international human rights advocate and director. My journey to creating Sufiim Coaching began during my work with families and communities deeply affected by racial violence and injustice. I had the profound responsibility of working with the families of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, and many of other families who were enduring unimaginable pain and anguish. I also witnessed the trauma experienced by the community members who rallied around these families, offering support while grappling with their own fears and wounds.

The strength and resilience of these individuals were awe-inspiring, but it was clear that the emotional and psychological toll of these experiences was immense. I saw how systemic racism and violence left deep scars, not only on the victims' families but across movements. Yet, amidst the pain, there was also a powerful desire for healing and justice.

It became clear to me that while we were addressing the urgent need for justice, there was also a critical need for healing—healing that could support individuals to not only survive but thrive and lead in the ongoing fight for equity and change. I wanted to create a space where this healing could happen, where BIPOC leaders and community members could find the support they needed to rebuild their strength, reclaim their power, and continue their vital work within the movement.

This desire to help individuals heal while impacting a larger movement inspired me to start Sufiim Coaching. Through culturally responsive, one-on-one coaching, I aim to support those who have been on the front lines of social justice, helping them lead with resilience and purpose in the face of systemic challenges.

Learn more about Salimah Hankins with Sufiim Coaching here.

Reckoning in 2020

In 2020, after the killing of George Floyd, Sufiim Coaching founder, Salimah Hankins, created a virtual healing and story-telling event speaking with the families of Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Amaud Arbery, and others and honored Black trans and cis womxn as well as GNC killed by police, for the US Human Rights Network when she was Executive Director.

watch below

Story-telling by family members:
Opening by Salimah | 4:14
Blessing by Damon Azali-Rojas | 13:25
Jordan Davis’ father story-telling | 19:23
Michael Brown’s father story-telling | 39:00
Emmitt Till’s cousin story-telling | 43:35
Performance by Sequoiia | 1:00:07
Sandra Bland’s sister story-telling | 1:03:20
Amaud Arbery’s mother story-telling | 1:19:47
Oscar Grant’s uncle story-telling | 1:29:29
Rekia Boyd’s brother story-telling | 1:59:52
Sean Bell’s parents story-telling | 2:11:20
Eric Garner’s mother story-telling | 2:23:19
Q & A with families | 2:39:30
Honoring Black trans and cis womxn and Blk GNC with a song by Jennifer Johns | 3:01:59
Closing by Ron Davis & Salimah Hankins | 3:08:35