Angela M. Herbert, also known by her Yorùbá Òrìsà name as Sangoronke Ajike Egbetohun. Sangoronke was born in Mount Vernon, New York on October 23, 1959, she was 66 years old. She is the daughter of Alethia Marie Hamilton Herbert, and Solomon Johnson Herbert. She is survived by her father, and one sister, Margaret Veronica Herbert.

Sangoronke was raised catholic by her mother, and had a grandmother figure who was a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal church, as well as a spiritualist. She grew up around women who were spiritually sensitive mediums with special gifts of healing. Those women had a major influence in Sangoronke’s own spiritual transformation. As a child, she was constantly watched over, and told to walk in the light and not in the dark. Her childhood experience taught her to seek out and learn about the ways of her ancestors.

Sangoronke attended public school in Mount Vernon, New York, and attended college and graduated at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She had a long career in the medical field working at Massachusetts General - Brigham Womens Hospital. For many years she sang with the Harvard University Kuumba Singers. Sangoronke was also a drummer who studied with the late master drummer Nurudafina Abena. Her interest in drumming lead her to hosting many women’s drumming circle in her home.

Sangoronke’s big passion was centered around her spiritual devotion. She also carried the name Aina, because she was born with her umbilical cord rapped around her neck. This act alone, positioned her to be close to the Egungun (ancestor) society, which is predominately male. Due to her spiritual proclivities, Sangoronke began to embark on a spiritual journey that led her to be initiated in the Yorùbá Òrìsà practice.

In 2000, Sangoronke travelled to Òyó, Nigeria, under the tutelage of Awise Agbaye, Dr. Ogunwande Abimbola, the global spokesperson of Ifá. She was initiated to the Òrìsà, Sango by the late Elegun Sangodele. Sangoronke was not only well known in the Boston Lucumi, and Isese spiritual communities, she was also known nationally and internationally. She was a warm and kind spirit who was very sensitive to negative and disruptive behavior. If she felt something off balanced that related to you, or had a dream that you were in, Sangoronke would call you up and advise you appropriately.

Allthough we celebrate the life of our dear friend and sister, many friends, colleagues, and Òrìsà practitioners will sadly miss her.