Who is Dr. Malaika?

Dr. Malaika Brown, affectionately known as Dr. Malaika, believes that no matter what life experiences you have encountered, healing and wholeness are possible. Adversity is inevitable, but our response is where true power and transformation begin.

A native of Southern California, Dr. Malaika is a clinician specializing in traumatology and the founder of the newly formed Aya Healing & Empowerment Services, Inc., an organization dedicated to culturally rooted, spiritually informed, and community-centered approaches to wellness. Through Aya, she guides individuals and communities toward resilience and liberation using her signature practices, including the Aya Pause™ and The Aya Way™ framework.

Dr. Malaika is the author of two influential books: Free Indeed: A 30-Day Guide for the Journey to Forgiveness, a work exploring the freedom and healing of forgiveness, and Rooted in Resilience: A Journey Toward Collective Healing, which has become a cornerstone text for those seeking practical and culturally grounded tools for navigating trauma and growth. Building upon this foundation, she launched The Aya Way Podcast, a weekly show, found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, that blends storytelling, scholarship, and healing practices to help listeners reconnect with themselves and their communities .

Her academic journey reflects her deep commitment to both psychology and theology. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master of Science in General Psychology, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She also earned three seminary degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education, a Master of Arts in Sacred Music, and a Doctorate in Theology with an emphasis in Christian Education Administration.

Beyond clinical work, Dr. Malaika serves as an associate professor of psychology at colleges across Southern California, where she equips the next generation of leaders and healers. A dedicated social justice advocate, she works to dismantle systemic inequities and empower marginalized communities. She has extended her impact through nonprofit leadership, including Your Beautiful Mind, Inc., which increases access to mental health resources, and The Black Consciousness Collective, Inc., which advances advocacy and empowerment for the Black community and Love in Action Social Justice Ministry, the social justice and advocacy arm of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc..

Dr. Malaika is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., an organization committed to sisterhood, scholarship, and service. She is also a sought-after speaker, motivator, and media presence. Her work spans classrooms, pulpits, podcasts, and community spaces—always carrying the message that healing is both personal and collective, and that we each hold the power to root ourselves in resilience and rise.

The Aya Way Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/29L2qwPbBikR95v2BAAr6c?si=2XHelngNTt2fvceKEcD6bA

The Aya Way Substack: https://theayaway.substack.com