Dòwòti Désir, also known as Queen Mother Sêmévo I, is a spiritual teacher, academic, human rights advocate, and cultural figure with leadership roles in Afro-Atlantic religious systems, who is also involved with the African diaspora. She holds the title of Queen Mother of the African Diaspora in the Republic of Benin, a role that includes representing African cultural and spiritual traditions.^[1]

Désir was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to Cuban and Haitian parents. She is a graduate of Barnard College at Columbia University in New York City and earned a Master of Arts degree in contemporary art & critical theory from the Bard College Center for Curatorial Studies in Annandale-on-Hudson.^[2] She also holds a Doctorate of Ministry from The New Seminary in Interfaith Studies.

In 2022, Désir was formally enthroned as Queen Mother Sêmévo I at the Royal Palace of Agonlin in Benin. In this role, she represents cultural interests and is a member and the Ambassador-at-Large of the High Council of Kings of Benin (Haut Conseil des Rois du Bénin), an institution representing the region's traditional monarchs.^[3]

In her role as Queen Mother, Désir advocates for cultural connections between the African continent and its diaspora. She is the founder of the Imperial Corps Agoodjié of the African Diaspora (ICAAD), described as a women's leadership and education program,^[4] and has been involved in fundraising for the construction of the Royal Palace of the African Diaspora.

She holds the traditional Fongbe title of Kpodjito (Mother of the Leopard). As Kpodjito, she has participated in partnerships for the development of public education programs, scholarships, and other initiatives related to the Royal Palace of the African Diaspora.^[4]

Her work also includes cultural advocacy and arts administration, particularly concerning African-American and African Diaspora cultural preservation. She served as the first executive director of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial Educational and Cultural Center in New York in 2005.^[5] Her affiliations include the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Studio Museum in Harlem.^{[citation needed]}

In addition to her cultural and spiritual roles, Désir has held academic positions at institutions including Dutchess Community College, Brooklyn College, and City University of New York (CUNY).^{[citation needed]} Her academic work focuses on human rights, Afro-Atlantic religious systems, and social justice. Her writings address topics such as reparations, African heritage, and Afro-Atlantic spiritual practices.^[1]

Désir is the author of books and essays on Afro-Atlantic spirituality, human rights, and the African Diaspora. Her published works include "Essays in Human Rights: A Vodou Priest's Perspective," "Réparations: Une exigence urgente pour l'Humanité," and "Wanga: Haitian Hoodoo" (2022).

Women traditional leaders such as Désir are being studied in a University of Ghana project titled "Women and Political Participation in Africa: A Comparative Study of Representations and Roles of Female Chiefs". This project, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation,^[6] adopts a mixed-methods approach to comparatively study women's representation in the institution of chieftaincy and their influence on women's rights and wellbeing in Botswana, Ghana, Liberia, and South Africa.

The lead researchers on the project, Peace A. Medie, Adriana A. E Biney, Amanda Coffie, and Cori Wielenga, have also published an opinion piece titled "Women traditional leaders could help make sure the pandemic message is heard" in The Conversation, discussing how women traditional leaders can educate their subjects on COVID-19.^[6]

Funding from the British Academy has supported Peace A. Medie's work on the project.