These are links to the work of some of the incredible people I have come across on the path of racial healing, individual and collective trauma, and creating greater diversity and inclusion. Their knowledge and wisdom have inspired me deeply, and I am profoundly grateful for each of them.
Expanding the Circle of Diversity and Inclusion
- Layla F. Saad ~ Layla is a writer, best-selling author of Me and White Supremacy, speaker, podcast host, and racial justice advocate whose work explores the intersections of race, spirituality, feminism, and leadership.
- Resmaa Menakem ~ Resmaa is a healer, New York Times best-selling author of My Grandmother's Hands, and trauma specialist focusing on radicalised trauma and somatic healing.
- Afua Hirsch ~ Afua is a British writer, broadcaster, and best-selling author of the book Brit-ish. She offers profound insights into identity, belonging, and systemic racism.
- Michelle C. Johnson ~ Michelle’s work centers on healing from individual and collective trauma, coming back into wholeness, and aligning the mind, body, spirit, and heart.
- Ruth King ~ Ruth is the founder of the Mindful of Race Institute, LLC, a celebrated author, educator, and meditation teacher. Her work integrates mindfulness with racial awareness and healing.
- Akala ~ Akala is a hip-hop artist, social entrepreneur, and author of Natives. His deep understanding of colonization and systemic racism shines through his work.
- Lama Rod Owens ~ Lama Rod is a Buddhist teacher, activist, and author exploring the intersections of race, identity, and mindfulness. He co-authored Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation.
- Rev. angel Kyodo williams ~ Rev. angel is a Zen priest, author, and activist who brings mindfulness and social justice teachings together, known for her groundbreaking work on Radical Dharma.
- Ijeoma Oluo ~ Ijeoma is a writer, speaker, and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk About Race. Her work is a powerful guide to having necessary and transformative conversations.
Broadening Inclusion Further
- Sinéad Burke ~ Sinéad is a writer, advocate, and speaker focused on accessibility and design justice, amplifying the voices and experiences of disabled people.
- Pronouns Matter ~ Pronouns.org is a practical resource dedicated to the empowering and inclusive use of personal pronouns in the English language. The website will help you understand why and how to use the pronouns someone goes by. In particular, they focus on pronouns used to refer to a singular human in the third person.
- Alice Wong ~ Alice is a disabled activist, author, and founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights stories and experiences from the disabled community.
- Dr. Thema Bryant ~ Dr. Thema is a psychologist, trauma expert, and ordained minister who integrates cultural and spiritual practices into mental health and healing.
- John A. Powell ~ John is an internationally recognised expert in civil rights and structural racism, focusing on bridging differences and creating belonging.
- Adrienne Maree Brown ~ Adrienne is a writer, facilitator, and activist whose work weaves together science fiction, social justice, and emergent strategy to envision transformative change.
- Pádraig Ó Tuama ~ Pádraig is a poet, theologian, and conflict mediator who explores the power of language and stories to create connection and belonging.
- Kimberlé Crenshaw ~ Kimberlé is a lawyer and civil rights advocate who introduced the concept of intersectionality, illuminating how overlapping identities impact experiences of oppression.
- Roxane Gay ~ Roxane is a writer and cultural critic whose work addresses issues of race, gender, and identity through essays, memoirs, and fiction.
- Chani Nicholas ~ Chani is an astrologer and activist who integrates social justice with spirituality, offering inclusive and affirming tools for self-discovery.
- Brené Brown ~ Brené is a researcher and storyteller whose work on vulnerability, courage, and belonging resonates deeply across diverse identities.
By learning from these diverse voices, we open ourselves to the breadth of human experiences and deepen our commitment to creating inclusive and equitable spaces.