Ayana Thomas

Ayana Thomas is the visionary behind Grieving Back to Life, a personal development organization that empowers women, with a special focus on those who have been impacted by the justice system and are struggling with grief, trauma, and adversity. Recognizing the immense burden of grief that these women carry, both before and after their encounters with the justice system, Ayana is dedicated to helping them overcome their past and find a renewed sense of purpose. As a grief advocate and counselor, Ayana understands the profound and transformative nature of grief, which can fundamentally reshape a person's identity.

Bringing to the forefront the collective grief our women impacted by the criminal justice system continuously face and how profound these experiences are and the grief they experience. Loss is not only death but many significant losses. Ayana created GBTL, to foster a community where grieving women can thrive in a cultivating community.

We’ve got to stop talking about grief as a problem to be solved. When we change our conversations around grief, we make things better for everyone. She is available for workshops and keynote speaking engagements, sharing her own inspiring journey of triumph over adversity. She is based in the NY/NJ tri-state area and primarily online.