Discover the Heart of Àṣẹ Society
Àṣẹ Society is dedicated to empowering the Black community through cultural education, financial literacy, and collective progress. Our mission fosters wealth, unity, and empowerment, guiding every initiative we undertake.
What is Àṣẹ Society?
Àṣẹ Society is a membership-based community that blends:
- Cultural empowerment
- Financial literacy
- Group economics
- Accessible life insurance education
- Youth development
- Black-owned business support
- Community programs and volunteering
We operate with the long-term vision of becoming a Fraternal Benefit Society, providing community-based insurance, financial protection, and generational-wealth tools for our members.
WHAT “ÀṢẸ” MEANS
In Yoruba culture, Àṣẹ (pronounced ah-shay) is the sacred power to make things happen, to speak life, to create change, and to manifest what you command. It is the energy that flows through spoken word, intention, community, and divine authority.
To say “Àṣẹ” is to affirm:
- So it is.
- Let it be.
- May the power within us bring this into reality.
Àṣẹ represents:
- Spiritual authority
- Creative energy
- Collective strength
- The power to build, heal, and transform
This meaning is the foundation of Àṣẹ Society. We believe every person in our community carries the power of Àṣẹ to uplift themselves, their family, and their entire people.
Discover Our Mission and Vision for Future Success
Àṣẹ Society’s mission is to empower the African American and Black community through education, financial literacy, and membership-based support programs that build unity, prosperity, and wellness across all areas of life.
Àṣẹ Society’s vision is to see the potential of the African American and Black community realized across the spiritual, mental, financial, and physical planes and to foster continued growth for generations to come.
Àṣẹ Society Core Values: S.U.R.E.L.I.F.E.
S – Service: We lead with compassion, dedicating our time and talent to uplift our community and create opportunities for others.
U – Unity: We stand together in purpose, celebrating diversity and collective strength as the foundation of progress.
R – Respect: We honor cultural identity, human dignity, and the divine essence within every individual.
E – Empowerment: We equip our members with knowledge, resources, and confidence to achieve self-sufficiency and legacy.
L – Loyalty: We remain steadfast to Àṣẹ Society’s mission, our people, and the greater vision of generational advancement.
I – Integrity: We act with honesty, accountability, and transparency in all decisions and relationships.
F – Family: We cultivate belonging, mutual care, and interdependence as sacred pillars of community life.
E – Enlightenment: We pursue truth, wisdom, and spiritual awareness as pathways to growth, balance, and transformation.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Discover the passionate professionals driving Àṣẹ Society’s mission forward.
Adriel Josiah Roberts, MBA
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Adriel Josiah Roberts is a Trinidad & Tobago–born entrepreneur, educator, and financial professional committed to empowering Black families through education, culture, and economic unity. He migrated to the United States to pursue higher education, earning both his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from the University of Charleston in West Virginia, where he also competed as a Division I volleyball athlete. Adriel has additionally represented Trinidad & Tobago in international volleyball competitions.
Professionally, Adriel is licensed as a Life & Health Insurance Agent across multiple states and also works as a Mortgage Loan Originator in several states, helping individuals and families navigate financial decisions with clarity and confidence. He is currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a specialization in Organizational Leadership and Development, further strengthening his ability to build systems, organizations, and programs that uplift communities.
Rooted in his Caribbean upbringing and committed to collective advancement, Adriel founded Àṣẹ Society to unite culture, financial literacy, and community power under one mission: empowering individuals to build legacy, security, and long-term wealth.
adrielroberts@asesociety.org
Janna Mirakle Roberts-Gervais
Chief Mental Health Officer
Janna Mirakle Roberts-Gervais is a mental-health advocate, educator, and community leader originally from Trinidad & Tobago. She began her academic journey at Hudson County Community College, earning her Associate’s Degree, and continued to Rutgers University: Newark, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology. She is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing her Master’s degree in Psychology.
Professionally, Janna has served in several community-centered roles, including Peer Specialist, Peer Advocate, Social Justice & DEIB Specialist Intern, DEI Navigator, and Tutor at Hudson County Community College. She also contributed to student well-being as a Peer Counselor at Rutgers University. In addition, she holds Life Coaching certifications, strengthening her ability to support emotional wellness and personal development across diverse populations.
Janna brings a culturally grounded, empathy-driven approach to Àṣẹ Society’s mental health vision, ensuring that members receive support that honors identity, community, healing, and empowerment.
jannagervais@asesociety.org
Jacinda Corbie-Julien
Head Secretary
Jacinda Corbie-Julien is a highly skilled administrative professional with extensive experience in credit unions and financial services sector. She has built a track record of exceptional accuracy, reliability, and customer care through roles at multiple credit unions.
Across her career, Jacinda has handled high-volume responsibilities with precision, including managing up to 320 customer interactions per day, maintaining over 120,000 physical and digital records with zero lost files, preparing documentation for Board of Directors meetings, and coordinating hundreds of weekly appointments without scheduling conflicts. Her strengths include time management, multitasking, data entry, banking operations, Microsoft Excel, and delivering consistently positive member experiences.
As Head Secretary of Àṣẹ Society, Jacinda brings a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to organizational coordination, communication, and administrative support. Her professionalism, fast learning, and commitment to excellence play an essential role in keeping Àṣẹ Society’s operations organized, responsive, and community-focused.
jacindajulien@asesociety.org