The Makings of You Foundation
Culturally grounded healing, movement, and community experiences for Black women on Chicago’s South Side.
A Sacred Space to Pause, Reflect, and Restore.
Supporting Black women as they uncover the healing within, release burdens passed down through generations, build resilience, and live with purpose and joy.
A SAcred space to PAUSE, REFLECT, and Restore
Supporting Black women as they uncover the healing within, release burdens passed down through Generations, build resilience, and live with purpose and joy.
Our Programs
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Soul Therapy™
Culturally grounded healing experiences created for Black women to pause, reflect, release what they have been carrying and build resilience.
Through healing circles, reflection, mindfulness and mind-body-spirit practices, women find connection, restoration and room to breathe.
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Movement Is Medicine™
Wellness through movement, connection and joy.
Tennis, yoga, Pilates, mindfulness and other accessible movement experiences support physical well-being while creating opportunities for women to build community and thrive.
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Legacy & Community
We honor the women who came before us while investing in the women who come next.
Through intergenerational gatherings, Legacy in Bloom, scholarships and community experiences, we celebrate our stories, strengthen connection and help build a legacy rooted in purpose and joy.
“I found this to be a rare opportunity to fellowship with Black women in a safe environment where sharing was embraced.”
— Carmen, Soul Therapy™ participant
Meet Our Founder
Valerie Harris, LCSW, CADC
Founder & Executive Director
Valerie Harris founded The Makings of You Foundation from a belief that Black women deserve culturally grounded spaces where they can lay down burdens, reconnect with themselves and one another, and experience wellness as more than simply surviving.
Drawing on decades of work in behavioral health, recovery, wellness and community service, Valerie brings together healing, movement, reflection and connection to help women build resilience, and live with purpose and joy.
recent program Experiences
A sound bath uses the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls to support relaxation, calm the nervous system, and create space for reflection and restoration.
Soul Therapy™ creates culturally grounded spaces for Black women to pause, reflect, release, and connect through guided conversation, mindfulness, storytelling, and mind–body–spirit practices.Our Mission
The Makings of You Foundation creates culturally grounded, holistic spaces where Black women can heal intergenerational trauma, understand the patterns they have inherited, reconnect with mind, body, and spirit, and build resilience, purpose, and joy.