Meet the Founders
Root & Wisdom was founded by Joaly Trinidad and Troy Valencia, a husband-and-wife team deeply connected to the origins of Iboga. Joaly’s Afro-Caribbean heritage traces back to Central and West Africa, and she descends from a lineage of women “seers” tied to the Indigenous Taino people of the Dominican Republic. Troy, who overcame the challenges of the foster system and built a career as a chemist, has paternal roots tied directly to Gabon and Cameroon—the sacred homeland of Iboga and the Bwiti people. Together, their shared lineage and unique blend of ancestral wisdom and scientific expertise form the foundation of Root & Wisdom’s transformative work, making it a completely one-of-a-kind Iboga experience.
In November 2024, Joaly and Troy welcomed their first child, Zoraya, into the world. Zoraya’s journey began with her being immersed in the sacred traditions of the Bwiti people, as she was five months in the womb when Joaly underwent her women’s initiation into the Mabanji Bwiti tradition in Gabon. This moment reflects the family’s reverence for their ancestral heritage and their dedication to serving as stewards of these sacred practices.
Joaly and Troy’s collaborative work offers an authentic and transformative approach to working with Iboga. They honor their heritage while weaving it with the insights of science and spirit, creating a bridge between tradition and modern understanding.
A vision rooted in service
Root & Wisdom was not born out of ambition but as a heartfelt response to the lasting effects of colonization, which have diluted the essence of Indigenous traditions shared with the West. After personally witnessing patterns of power abuse, greed, and neocolonialism in the plant medicine space, Joaly and Troy were guided by Spirit to create a new way of working with Iboga—one rooted in reciprocity, authenticity, and service through holistic, program-based offerings backed by scientific research.
For them, this work is not a business—it is a commitment to the service of others. They are deeply inspired by a quote from Gary Zukav’s Seat of the Soul:
“To the multi-sensory human, a reverent businessman or businesswoman is a person who infuses a new energy into the archetype of entrepreneur, shifting it from a dynamic that is motivated by profits that are generated by serving others to a dynamic of serving others that is made possible by profits.”
Sacred Roots Foundation
Root & Wisdom embodies this philosophy not just through words, but in physical action.
Sacred Roots Foundation is Joaly and Troy’s 501(c)(3) non-profit. In just one year of support, it has raised over $200,000 to support Indigenous communities in Gabon. If you feel called to donate, you can click the link below to visit our donation page. All donations are tax-deductible. Current projects include:
- Smile Gabon: Providing essential dental care for children.
- Mabanjo Village Restoration: Rebuilding a women-only village, offering clean drinking water, safe housing, and support for rites of passage.
- Beekeeping Mission: Training communities in sustainable beekeeping practices to create viable livelihoods.
A vision rooted in service
Joaly and Troy uniquely combine their Indigenous roots with advanced Western education, distinguishing Root & Wisdom as a transformative space. Their expertise in Clinical Psychology, Biochemistry, and Trauma-Informed Counseling enables them to honor the reverence of Indigenous traditions while embracing the rigor of scientific research with actual therapeutic training and education.
Root & Wisdom’s vision extends to achieving a medical license to treat complex conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, depression, anxiety, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Collaborating with a medical board of licensed professionals, they conduct groundbreaking research to scientifically validate Iboga’s therapeutic potential. One remarkable case study currently ongoing involves a former military ranger demonstrating full brain recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), as confirmed by MRI, after just two sessions with Iboga.
By integrating Indigenous values with cutting-edge research, Root & Wisdom is redefining Iboga’s role in healing and transformation. Their work is not limited to retreats—it’s a call to rediscover life as an ongoing ceremony of growth, balance, and deep connection.
