Healing Justice Santa Barbara is a Black-led and Black centered organizing collective in Santa Barbara County. Formed in response to the destabilizing impacts of racism and anti-blackness, we aspire to build resilient communities for the African diaspora and other marginalized people along the Central Coast. We understand that our collective healing and liberation is essential to creating a more equitable Santa Barbara.

Simone Akila Ruskamp is a Black woman who loves Black people. As the parent of a young child, she affirms the radical work of mothering and believes that all are needed to create the communities we deserve. Simone is a Masters in Social Work student where she studies Afrocentric approaches to healing and therapy.

Krystle Farmer Sieghart is a Santa Barbara native, a grassroots activist, a womanist, and a liberation consultant. She first started her activism career while attending Santa Barbara City College, where she majored in Sociology and Black Studies, where she served two years on the SBCC Associated Student Government, and one of those years was elected to be a member of the SBCC Board of Trustees as the Student Trustee. Krystle is the first Black woman and mother to serve on the SBCC Board of Trustees at SBCC and SBCC ASG. She is currently studying Organizational Leadership at LAPU.