About Us

What IFA Says is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating individuals and communities about African spirituality, with a central focus on the wisdom and practices of the Ifá tradition. Rooted in cultural heritage, spiritual empowerment, and social consciousness, we aim to reconnect people with ancestral knowledge while addressing pressing community and societal challenges.

Our mission is twofold: to preserve and promote the spiritual teachings of Ifá and other African traditions, and to apply these principles in practical ways that uplift marginalized and underserved communities. We embrace both traditional and non-traditional spiritual practices, making our teachings accessible, inclusive, and relevant to diverse experiences and lifestyles.

Through educational programs, community workshops, cultural events, and outreach initiatives, we foster personal growth, spiritual awareness, and collective responsibility. We are especially committed to offering affordable and sliding-scale programs to ensure that low-income individuals and families can access our services and teachings without financial barriers.

As a faith-based organization operating in accordance with Section 508(c)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, What IFA Says is recognized as a religious and spiritual organization that is automatically tax-exempt. This classification affirms our commitment to serving the spiritual and social needs of the community with integrity, inclusivity, and purpose.

We believe that African spirituality offers timeless guidance not only for individual transformation but also for building strong, conscious, and equitable communities. By bridging spiritual practice with social action, What IFA Says seeks to be a catalyst for healing, empowerment, and sustainable change.

Ase'

Babalawo Omolohun

Executive Director/ Priest

Our Core Value and Ethos Statement

"We Are Prophets, Not Profits — Money Supports the Mission, It’s Not the Mission."

OSA Owanrin

"This Odu Ifá teaches the importance of generosity toward all people, especially the poor. In the pataki, it tells the story of Onilefun, who provided for those in need."

Ogunda Owanrin

"One's inner head is one's beginning. We shall worship our beginnings. Before we worship any god." This pataki teaches that before seeking gods outside of yourself, you must first honor the divine within. Before living to meet others' expectations, you must first serve your own destiny. It emphasizes the importance of looking inward, trusting your Ori (inner head), and not relying on external validation for your sense of purpose or identity."

FORMS OF WORSHIP

Our primary places of worship are personal shrines in our homes, in nature, and within our global community—including through social media. Most importantly, worship begins within. It is deeply personal, guided by your Ori, your inner divine self. Nothing can be done through the Orishas or even your ancestors without the alignment and approval of your Ori.

We help people unlearn, relearn, and reconnect with their spiritual roots by seeking guidance from Ori. Worship follows the Traditional Isese Calendar and is centered around the oral Ifa-Orisha literary corpus—a complex system of wisdom passed down through generations.

This sacred system is mathematical in nature, consisting of 256 Odus (or "books") each with 16 sub-chapters and thousands of verses. These texts serve as our core guidance.

In addition to this ancient wisdom, our teachings are also informed by the lived experience of Babalawo Omolohun Okanlawon, who brings over 20 years of dedicated practice in the tradition. He holds a Doctorate and has conducted in-depth research into African spirituality through source texts, Odu, lived experience, and—most importantly—Ori.

Our worship blends traditional and evolving practices, reflecting the dynamic nature of African spirituality. It is not rigid or ruled by gatekeeping. Instead, it is engaging, fun, interactive, and rooted in accessibility and connection.

This practice is for anyone with African ancestry, and even if you don’t have direct lineage, you are still welcome to learn, understand, and connect with your spiritual roots.

True to our mission, we do not deny access to worship based on income. We offer sliding scale pricing for those who are unemployed or receiving public assistance—and in some cases, services are free.

You will rarely find another spiritual space like ours in the world of African spirituality. Babalawo Omolohun began this journey in poverty, just like many of the priests within the sacred Patakis. Our foundation is built on prophets, not profits.

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