Story & Lesson Highlights with Yeye Ifafunmilola Omitoke Faluade of SouthWest Atlanta, Sylvan Hills

We recently had the chance to connect with Yeye Ifafunmilola Omitoke Faluade and have shared our conversation below.

Yeye Ifafunmilola Omitoke, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Over the summer months, I, along with my partner have organized and participated in several African Spiritual Festivals that showcased our impact on the local and international communities. That experience has both made me laugh in amazement at my growth as a priestess as well as become overwhelmingly proud of the work we do and the levels of spiritual elevation we’ve committed ourselves to acquiring and sharing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Yeye Ifafunmilola Omitoke Faluade, though some may remember me as Iyabo Kiyaa Lawrence, my birth name. I was born in Chicago and have made Atlanta my home for over 30 years. I am an initiated Priestess of Ifa (Iyanifa) and an Olorisa, as well as a certified Kemetic Yoga Teacher. Through my work, I hold sacred space for private self-development, wellness coaching, and I also train new instructors in Kemetic Yoga. Beyond my spiritual and professional path, I am a proud mother of three adult children, grandmother of two beautiful granddaughters, and eagerly awaiting the birth of my grandson.

Alongside my husband, a Chief Priest of Ifa (Babalawo), I co-lead Ifatorise Temple in Atlanta, which we have operated for the past five years. Together, we provide a spiritual home and community rooted in the wisdom of Ifa and Orisa traditions. One of the highlights of our temple is hosting the annual Orisa Aje Festival at Perkerson Park, which uplifts the spirit of prosperity and community for people of African descent in Atlanta and beyond.

My personal brand has evolved over time, beginning with YogaSkills Atlanta and expanding into LuxLife Wellness, a holistic lifestyle platform dedicated to wellness and spiritual enlightenment. LuxLife Wellness integrates indigenous African practices with modern approaches to living well, offering people of African descent pathways to healing, alignment, and purpose.
I am currently working to open a physical wellness and spiritual center in Atlanta where individuals can receive in-depth guidance for every stage of life — from birth through the transition into the ancestral realm. My decades of training as a health coach, spiritual mother, and practitioner of African sacred rites have affirmed my calling as a healer devoted to supporting women, children, and men in discovering and fulfilling their earthly destinies.

My journey is deeply rooted in my upbringing. Growing up in Atlanta, I was surrounded by parents and mentors who were leaders in African studies, dance, yoga, food, and nutrition. Following in their footsteps, I eventually married a Yoruba man from Nigeria and embraced a path of service that blends ancient teachings with modern living. This has led me to create spaces where people from all over can benefit from the wisdom of our ancestors.

Looking forward, my vision includes expanding our work globally. For the past four years, I have also been leading cultural and spiritual tours from Atlanta to Nigeria, where participants reconnect with their ancestral roots and strengthen their spiritual foundations. These journeys have become a cornerstone of my work and a testament to the power of living in alignment with one’s destiny.

There is so much more to my story, but above all, my mission is to continue serving with integrity, preserving African traditions, and creating healing spaces that inspire generations to rise in truth, purpose, and divine power.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom had a dream about me while I was growing in her womb. She saw that I was coming with great power and change. She knew I would be a force that would carry out major responsibilities to enlighten minds and bring new perspectives. My mother saw me first.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Becoming a mother at 17, and having three children by the time I was 20, was one of the most defining times of my life. With broken relationships, little to no money, and only a fragile vision of hope, it often felt overwhelming. I had no mirror to reflect back my truth, but I fought through it.

When my daughter was just 18 months old, she was burned by hot grease that spilled from the stove as she ran through the kitchen. I was pregnant with my second child at the time, and that moment shattered me. Years later, when my now 25-year-old son was 18, he nearly lost his life after being cut by shattered glass that severed a main artery and damaged several nerves. He endured a long surgery that could have gone another way, but by grace, he survived. And in 2020, my youngest son was struck in a horrific accident while riding his bike on our street. Everyone thought he wouldn’t make it—but today, he stands strong, healthy, and a father himself to my youngest granddaughter, Ayorinde.

My past has been a whirlwind of trials, each one carving deep wounds into my spirit. Yet, I refused to let those moments devastate me into oblivion. I meditated, prayed, gave offerings, practiced yoga, and wrapped my children in protection every day. I spoke life into them, enforced healthy living, and trusted in my divine power as a mother to safeguard their journeys.

I cannot say I am 100% healed—there are still triggers—but I know how to return to the work that restores my faith from within. My inner work saved me. My wholeness work saved my children.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to many projects, but at the heart of it all, my deepest commitment is to the complete healing of my family’s past—from the wounds of mental, emotional, and spiritual enslavement. My vision is for my grandchildren, and the generations after them, to thrive with exceptional success in a world that has historically not supported their ancestral lineage, yet has been profoundly shaped by their ancestors’ impact.

As I prepare to celebrate my 45th birthday on October 10, 2025, it feels like I am just getting started. I am not in a rush for change, because true transformation requires patience, accuracy, and stability. Creating generational wealth, opportunities, and a legacy of wholeness is a lifelong commitment. I am willing to work tirelessly—drawing from the lessons of my past, the power of my present, and the promise of my future—until I reach my highest level of success, not just for myself, but for those who will come long after me.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is my essence—my integrity, my character, and my peace of mind. I do not live for recognition or approval; I live in service to balance my debts to nature and to honor my ancestors.
Even without titles or material things, I would remain whole. I am not a reflection of western societal norms, nor can I be measured against the general population. My roots reach deeper, to values and traditions far older than this world acknowledges.

What would remain is a woman of humanity, sent here with a divine responsibility: to preserve the culture and traditions of my most ancient ancestors, and to carry forward their healing wisdom for generations yet to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://IAmEmpressOmi.org
• Instagram: @iamempressomi
• Facebook: Iyabo Ifafunmilola Faluade