Daily Inspiration: Meet Charita Evans (Riziki Zafira)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charita Charita Evans (Riziki Zafira)

Hi Charita, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In regards to my work within AkhuRa Temple, it’s quite an interesting story, so I’ll try to sum it up. In a nutshell, I’m a Transformation Guide and a medicine woman. My work initially began as a journey for personal empowerment. Over time, I realized it was expanding to serve visionaries and leaders who are committed to empowering communities through what I call Sacred Commerce—an approach applied to both personal empowerment and business growth.

Looking back, I’ve always known I had the gift of “Sight.” Like many, I grew up in a family that didn’t recognize or nurture these gifts, so I wasn’t raised to cultivate them. My path in this work became clearer as I experienced trauma, including abuse, near-death experiences, and miraculous healings I still can’t fully comprehend to this day. I also discovered my gifts of creativity and communication, combined with an inner “Knowing.” I “see” and “feel” things that translate into messages to relay to others.

After college, where I earned a degree in Advertising and studied Mass Communications, I caught the entrepreneurial bug while working in Corporate America. This spark was inspired by international travel to Kenya, where I co-owned my first business.

In 2014, a friend working in Kuwait introduced me to an astrologer, Guru Guna, who came from a long lineage of Dravidian people practicing sidereal astrology. That reading blew my mind. Guru Guna even told me I would one day interpret the language of the cosmos and read charts, though I didn’t believe him at the time. Curious, I asked how I could learn. His only advice was to meditate.

As I meditated and studied, my understanding deepened. I began pulling other people’s charts, and it felt like keys unlocking doors in my brain. Messages flowed naturally, even when I doubted myself. Sharing those messages always led to confirmations and surprised reactions. This process revealed yet another layer of my communication gifts—not just through media, which I learned in college, but through understanding Divine communication.

While working as a Project Manager in the Marketing Department of a major home improvement chain, I discovered Ayahuasca through a coworker who shared art inspired by his ceremonies. Around the same time, I started a farm-to-table catering company, born from my love of community farming. A catering gig for a retreat led me to offer astrological insights about relationships and sexual energy, sparking my introduction to sacred sexuality and tantra.

That retreat was transformative—it unlocked gifts I hadn’t fully embraced and confirmed I was wasting time in Corporate America, which didn’t fulfill me despite the good income. From there, everything shifted. I pursued certifications and training in Shamanic Tantra (Kemetic Lineage), Reiki Mastership, Yoni Steaming, Behavioral Health, Qi-Gong, Kriya Yoga, and more.

In July 2017, after my father passed, Ayahuasca re-entered my life, and I actually participated in ceremonies. I’ve since stopped counting after my 10th one. That sacrament was a life saver. These experiences opened the gateway to my work with plant and animal medicines. To this day, I facilitate, co-facilitate, and/or assist in ceremonies involving Psilocybin Mushrooms, Changa, Kambo, Snake Venoms, Ceremonial Cacao, and Rapeh.

In 2022, after speaking with a friend of mine who’s a Pastor, I realized I was operating a ministry—offering services, training practitioners, curating spiritual growth containers, and hosting ceremonies. On November 15, 2022, we officially became AkhuRa Temple, marking a beautiful two-year anniversary. Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road? If not, what challenges have you faced?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but it has been incredibly rewarding. Challenges have included facing naysayers who didn’t understand my path and battling imposter syndrome. I often questioned if I was “crazy” for pursuing this vision of creating Heaven on Earth and helping others do the same. Especially wanting to incorporate spiritual sanctuaries for those who want to create their Heaven on Earth through sacred commerce.

As a Private Unincorporated 508(c)(1)(a) Faith-Based Organization, we don’t qualify for government funding like 501(c)(3) organizations do. We choose to remain a free temple to practice our indigenous sacred traditions, including plant and animal sacraments used by African and American Indigenous cultures for thousands of years. This independence allows us to uphold our community’s values rather than comply with regulations from agencies that don’t understand the significance of sacred traditions.

Another challenge has been the exploitation of spiritual practices and sacraments for commercial gain. When used in their intended way, these practices often raise legal and societal questions. Thankfully, as a faith-based organization, we operate under Natural Law, Ecclesiastical Law, the American Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the Moroccan Peace and Friendship Treaty.

Despite these challenges, the journey has been worthwhile. Each struggle has been a lesson, building the wisdom and resilience needed to succeed.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In regards to AkhuRa Temple, I work at the intersection of spiritual healing and personal transformation. This work forms one half of my calling, focused on guiding individuals in self-discovery and empowerment through ancient practices and modern wisdom. The other half of my work lies in my passion for bringing visions to life as a Transformational Business Coach. I founded a boutique marketing and communications firm, Vizion Catalyst, where we specialize in transformational business coaching alongside creative and strategic communications services. I facilitate workshops and sanctuaries for those who desire to align their purpose with their path of prosperity. I like to call it, “Sacred Commerce.”

My clients often reflect my own journey—spiritually grounded individuals who seek alignment between their inner growth and external success. I also work with high-achieving professionals who may excel in their careers and/or business yet feel a disconnect within. Through our sessions, I support them in translating their aspirations into concrete, purpose-driven success.

Vizion Catalyst emerged from this integration of personal and professional growth. We’re dedicated to offering both practical business services and transformational experiences, including workshops, retreats, and private sessions designed to empower people on what I call their ‘purpose-filled path of prosperity.’ What sets us apart is our holistic approach—one that prioritizes work-life balance and the fusion of spiritual awakening with tangible goal achievement. I’m proud to help clients craft lives and businesses that reflect their true selves.

I’m most proud of my growth overall. Looking at where I’ve come from, where I’ve been, and where I’m going. I’m proud of the people who are doing great things that have benefited from the contributions our work has made in their life.

How can our readers connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Thank you for this wonderful question! Collaboration is vital to our work, and we’re always open to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations aligned with our mission and values. AkhuRa Temple currently operates seven internal ministries, offering unique opportunities for people to get involved, share knowledge, and provide services that uplift others.

I also enjoy speaking at events, workshops, and retreats, creating transformative experiences for participants. Additionally, I offer private and group ceremonies, some of which require applications and consultations for safety and understanding, especially when sacraments are involved.

As we approach 2025, we have exciting events planned in the Raleigh-Durham area and are exploring ways to expand through donations and business ventures within our temple network. These initiatives will help sustain our work and support visionaries creating social impact.

If you’d like to contribute financially through our gift shop, collaborate on projects, or help us develop businesses within our Temple Network that align with our mission, we would deeply appreciate your support.

For all visionaries, entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators: I look forward to connecting with you through Vizion Catalyst to explore these ideas further. Thank you for listening, and I’m excited to continue serving the RDU community and beyond.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.akhuratemple.org
• Instagram: akhuratemple
• Facebook: akhuratemple