,Peace Beloved

Olá Iyá Ifášebéè

Michelle D. Benton, also known as Michelle Yemaya or “MY,” is a spiritual teacher, healer, and community leader based in Portland, Oregon. Originally from Northern California, her spiritual foundation was shaped early through the Christian Baptist tradition, with deep influence from her grandmother, Dr. Corliss Diann McDonald. It was Dr. McDonald who first taught Michelle the power of prayer and the wisdom found in the Psalms in the King James Bible, planting seeds that would later blossom into a life of sacred service.
 

Through years of spiritual seeking, Michelle began integrating metaphysical studies and ancestral wisdom into her walk, ultimately aligning with her highest calling. In 2019, she founded Yemaya’s Inclinations: Spiritual Offerings Boutique in response to growing community demand. What began as a personal healing journey evolved into a sacred space offering handcrafted rituals, spiritual tools, and teachings rooted in African Traditional Religions, reviving the power of prayer, ritual, and reverence for new generations.
 

In 2021, Michelle became a certified Advanced Yoni Steam Practitioner through the Natural Skin Care Chick platform, where she deepened her knowledge of herbal healing and Divine Feminine care. As an Awo (student of the mysteries), she continues to study ATR practices that weaves together the teachings of God, the system of Ifa, Hoodoo, and metaphysical practice.

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Michelle also serves as the co-founder and Executive Director of the Black Community of Portland, a nonprofit rooted in justice, economic empowerment, and holistic healing. Her advocacy spans housing justice, Black entrepreneurship, and self-determined wellness, all while remaining grounded in ancestral wisdom and spiritual truth. Certified as a Peer Support Specialist for mental health, Community Health Worker, and Doula she leads with empathy, authenticity, and community care.

In her personal time, Michelle is an artist and creative spirit, passionate about photography, painting, and spending sacred moments with loved ones.