Who we are
ACHEM is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association of diverse healing professionals representing historically excluded communities who seek advanced education, personal development, and support in closing the gap between original healing practices and Western medicine. We aim to revitalize interest, nurture expertise, and restore mainstream respect for natural and botanical sciences, as well as facilitate the investigation and application of the new and exciting fields of cannabinology and endocannabinology within healing practices.
Through engaging Keystone programs, our members sharpen their scientific, advocacy, and entrepreneurial skills, empowering them to participate, lead, and develop innovative solutions within the Comprehensive Health Equity Movement (CHEM)® and beyond, fulfilling the natural role of our healing professionals as stewards of health equity.
At ACHEM, we enrich our members to serve our communities. While we are open to all people, our focus is to improve racial and cultural concordance between healers and patients from racially marginalized communities. Data shows this is a key indicator of positive outcomes in medical, preventative, and wellness care. By increasing the number of specialists in these integrated fields, we strive to improve the wellbeing of communities harmed most from systemic bias. By preparing our healers, we believe we can heal our communities.
ACHEM is a member of the Comprehensive Health Equity Movement (CHEM)®. In coalition with CHEM Partners, the organization extends its expertise in science and medicine to the broader CHEM community through collaborative projects and initiatives, such as ASTEAMM Academy and CHEM Global Campus.
our purpose
We exist to ensure the inclusion and elevation of underrepresented healers in natural and botanical medicine fields.
our Mission
To foster healthcare leaders, endocannabinologists, and medical revolutionaries through our keystones to Enrich, Participate, Promote, and Serve.
Our values
We self-educate:
We understand that the truth is often withheld, so we educate ourselves on history and science, building upon vital lessons and applying evidence that heals.
We reject the status quo:
We challenge systems that do not serve historically oppressed communities, holding ourselves and others accountable to advancing equity.
We solve problems:
We look at problems holistically and create comprehensive solutions, replacing performative actions with actual progress.
We empower:
We use our keystones, the principles that guide our work, to equip healers with the knowledge and confidence to fulfill their professional dreams.
our VisioN
We envision a world with an abundance of accessible healers of color who are experts, leaders, and policy influencers in the natural and botanical medicine industries, facilitating total restoration of our communities using traditional tools of healing.
Brand Heart
What We Stand For
Founders
Our Visionaries

Dr. Rachel Knox

Dr. Janice Knox

Dr. Jessica Knox
Dr. Ogadinma Obie
Leadership
Board of Directors

Dr. Rachel Knox
Board Chair

Dr. Janice Knox
Vice President

Dr. Jessica Knox
Treasurer

Dr. Angela Ledbetter (Dr.Kaya)
Secretary

Dr. Junella Chin
Board Member

Dr. Carmen Jones
Board Member

Rev. Kwame Kamau
Board Member

Dr. Safiya Lyn-Lassiter
Board Member
Administration
Executive Management & Steering Committee Members

Dr. Angela Ledbetter (Dr.Kaya)
Executive Director

Dr. Rachel Knox
Board Chair

Dr. Janice Knox
Vice President

Dr. Jessica Knox
Treasurer

Dr. Rachel Knox
Board Chair

Dr. Janice Knox
Vice President

Dr. Jessica Knox
Treasurer

Dr. Angela Ledbetter (Dr.Kaya)
Secretary

Dr. Rachel Knox
Board Chair

Dr. Janice Knox
Vice President

Dr. Jessica Knox
Treasurer