About Afi Dobbins-Mays

A Companion on the Journey

Let Self love be your first love

Reverend Afi Dobbins-Mays

Reverend Dobbins-Mays is an ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church (WI Conf.). She is married to Bennett Mays Sr. and they are blessed by a blended family of 8 children and 14 grandchildren. Rev. Afi is a passionate community leader and humanitarian, now in her 13th year of serving in ministry in Milwaukee, one of the nation’s most segregated and impoverished cities. She is also currently serving as the Assistant to the Bishop for Authentic Diversity and Leadership in the Greater Milwaukee Synod, ELCA.

Rev. Afi’s life’s work has led to several humanitarian interests and pursuits with a focus on healing and liberation from racial oppression. Some of her most fulfilling work has been journeying with groups of women of color, running a community food pantry, and directing programs for youth of color such as Rising Sun Camp; an extension ministry designed for children with incarcerated parents and/or family members.

Her life’s goal is to positively impact those in the community and to work towards helping others to have their physical needs met while providing opportunities to be empowered and enriched creatively, spiritually, and emotionally.

Her passions and gifts center around creative expression such as: singing music, painting, creative writing, and social justice - including civil rights, women’s rights, youth and young adult leadership training, enrichment programming, community building, teaching/training diversity with compassion, and spiritual support.

Her belief is that helping to empower others to see the Divine Spark of God within themselves and their environment - together people can create a life and community that are healthy, strong, and in alignment with God’s Divine call and purpose for all.

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My Classes

“Understanding Internalized Racism and Oppression”

Many of us desire to be agents of significant positive change in our communities, yet we struggle to know how to effect the positive change we long to see. Where racism and oppression are concerned, we may struggle with our own internalized “stuff” which can create the feeling that we are stuck - spinning our wheels. Still, we are here, living in a world full of injustice, ringing with cries for healing, liberation, and true transformation.

This workshop series is designed to help individuals, (with a focus on women of African descent), and communities learn how to harness their voices and power for positive change. Each workshop not only provides instruction on essential definitions and, concepts, opportunities for sharing and, reflection, and practical guidance for implementing this learning.

Make no mistake, this is not light work and will require each participant to “put their own skin in the game.”

Yet, the bright light on the horizon is that by investing in this process we become stronger and better equipped, individually and collectively, to effect fundamental change in our neighborhoods, cities, and greater society by recognizing and dismantling racist systems, structures, and policies,

Together, we will be brave. We will discover new understandings and new ways of relating to and living with ourselves and one another as we move forward toward a more just society. You are invited and welcomed on this journey of awakening.