About
Black Being emerged from a profound understanding of the specific needs faced by Black individuals in South Los Angeles. It was conceived as a dedicated space, a sanctuary in the city, where the pursuit of wellbeing takes center stage. Our commitment is fueled by the stark statistics that outline the health disparities affecting the Black community:
+ Black Americans face a staggering 40% higher rate of chronic conditions compared to other racial groups
+ Chronic stress, prevalent in 70% of Black communities, exacerbates existing health issues
+ Rates of anxiety and depression soar to 20% higher among Black individuals
In response to these challenges, Black Being stands as a haven for those who wish to deepen their wellbeing journeys. Our programming is not just a luxury but a necessity, addressing the urgent need for stress reduction and mental wellbeing – vital components to Black liberation.
Encourage physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, through practices and programs anchored in culture and ancestral wisdoms.
A world where all Black people are taken care of emotionally, mentally and physically while living freely in their bodies and in their communities. We honor and prioritize Black people at every stage of their healing journey.
Located in Downtown Inglewood at:
312 E. Queen Street
Inglewood, California 90301
Black Being is a queer and woman-founded organization based in Inglewood. With nearly four decades of collective experience – we come to our work with backgrounds in mental health, yoga, contemplative practices, philanthropy, public relations, and nonprofit leadership.
Allison “Alli” Simon (she/her) is from and currently resides in South Central Los Angeles and has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep commitment to creating spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and experience greater wellbeing, belonging, and liberation.
Meditation has been a cornerstone of Alli’s life since 2008, beginning as a personal practice that supported her through periods of challenge, grief, and loss. Over time, it became a path of study, teaching, and service. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Green Tree Yoga and Meditation in South LA in 2015, followed by the Yoga, Mindfulness and Social Change program at Loyola Marymount University and 300 additional hours of advanced study with Radical Darshan, bringing her to 500 hours of yoga teacher training. She has completed meditation facilitation training with InsightLA and the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA). She is currently studying Buddhist Psychology through Spirit Rock and recently completed an EcoDharma training.
Alli’s spiritual practice is rooted in the teachings of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Satipatthana Sutta, alongside Vipassana meditation in the tradition of S.N. Goenka and an ongoing silent retreat practice rooted in Vipassana and Insight. Her path has also been deeply shaped and inspired by Black Dharma teachers, social justice advocates, healers, and practitioners whose work lives at the intersection of spiritual practice, liberation, and collective care. Alli is committed to teaching these practices “in the idiom of the people”—honoring their depth and lineage while making them understandable, embodied, and relevant to the communities she serves. She sees herself as a bridge, helping people find their own way into the path and understand what these practices might make possible in their lives.
For years, Alli taught yoga, meditation and movement throughout Los Angeles County—in community spaces, parks, gyms, nonprofits, museums, and other public gatherings. During the pandemic, she led meditation virtually via social media twice a day for 120 consecutive days, creating a consistent space for people to pause, return to themselves, and practice together during a time of profound uncertainty and isolation. Her years of community-based teaching ultimately led to the founding of Black Being, a vision brought to life with the support of brands and private philanthropists who believed in her work.
As Executive Director and Co-Founder of Black Being, Alli understands the work not simply as an organization she leads, but as an expression of her dharma—a way of putting her practice into service of community. She is particularly committed to creating pathways for Black and other communities of color to encounter meditation, yoga, and retreat spaces where they can see themselves reflected. For many, Black Being becomes a doorway into practices they may not otherwise have encountered, and an invitation to imagine themselves as practitioners, teachers, and leaders.
In 2025, Alli led her first BIPOC Community Silent Meditation Retreat alongside JoAnna Hardy, Devin Berry, and Hakim Tafari—an important milestone in her own practice and retreat leadership. She is committed to making longer and silent retreat experiences more accessible to Black and other communities of color and to expanding who feels invited into these spaces.
Alli holds an M.A. in Management from the University of Redlands and a B.A. in Communications – Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton. She also serves as the Senior Lead for Wellbeing and Healing Justice at Social Justice Partners Los Angeles, where she leads healing justice and community care workshops for BIPOC workers and social service providers.
Her teaching, writing, and meditation work have been featured and shared through collaborations with CALM, The Los Angeles Times, KTLA, The SpringHill Company, Athleta, adidas, Ban.do, Ope_n, and Yoga International.
Based in Compton, Brittany Pollard is a wellness practitioner, meditation facilitator, community builder, and cowgirl dedicated to healing justice and collective care. Her work is guided by a deep belief that Black people deserve spaces of rest, restoration, and liberation, and her purpose is to help individuals reconnect with their inner wisdom and power.
With over 15 years of experience in wellness, Brittany began her journey with a B.S. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and has since trained in trauma-informed life coaching, breathwork, meditation, nutrition, and fitness. She is also a skilled program operations consultant and project manager who solely focuses on Black owned organizations.
As Program Manager at Black Being, Brittany brings her holistic approach to leadership, supporting the design and facilitation of healing-centered programs that nurture belonging and transformation. Across all her work, she remains committed to creating spaces where Black people are deeply seen, held, and celebrated in their wholeness.
Jade Smith (she/her) is an Inglewood native with a lifelong commitment to health and wellness. A former gymnast, 3-sport athlete, and college basketball player at USC, turned yoga enthusiast.
After experiencing burnout in college, she discovered yoga during a humanitarian trip in Africa. Captivated by the fusion of breath and movement, Jade pursued yoga teacher training in Costa Rica, delving deeper into her practice & philosophy.
Post-college, she became a full-time fitness model, working with the world’s top athletic brands. Simultaneously, studying & practicing various wellness modalities including Meditation, Nutrition, Ayurveda, Herbalism, Astrology, and Stretch Therapy.
The birth of her child inspired her to become a holistic doula, supporting women along their journeys to becoming mothers. Jade is passionate about making wellness and healing accessible to BIPOC and educating women about natural birth and traditional postpartum methods.
paradyse oakley (she/they) is a passionate community advocate based in South Central Los Angeles (Tongva Land), where she has deep roots and an unwavering commitment to her community. A proud graduate of the University of California Santa Cruz, paradyse majored in Community Studies as well as Critical Race and Ethnic Studies and Politics, equipping her with the knowledge and tools to champion social justice and equity.
As an abolitionist, Black Feminist, Intersectional Environmentalist, and cultural worker, paradyse’s work is informed by her belief in the interconnectedness of social justice issues. At Black Being, she is dedicated to cultivating a warm and welcoming environment where all community members can find sanctuary and support. Living by the motto “see a need, fill a need,” paradyse utilizes her skills and resourcefulness to address the unique challenges facing her community.
In addition to her advocacy, paradyse emphasizes the importance of rest and self-care, encouraging others to prioritize their well-being amidst activism. Her love for her community is evident in all she does, as she strives to uplift and empower those around her through compassion, understanding, and collective action.
A Southern California native, Sonya (she/her) joins Black Being with over a decade of dedicated experience in education and the nonprofit sector. After graduating from Spelman College in 2016 with a B.A. in Education, she spent six years as a preschool teacher, fostering the growth and development of early learners. Driven by a passion for community-centered work, she transitioned into the non-profit space five years ago. She is deeply committed to creating and supporting tangible, positive impacts on children, families, and communities. Outside of her professional life, she is the proud mother of an eight-year-old son, Lawrence, who remains the absolute joy of her life.
Britt (she/her) is a yoga teacher, student, and all-around lover girl on a mission to reach hearts through the practices of yoga. Her offerings are steeped in yogic philosophy, thoughtfully sequenced, and leave ample space for stillness and rest. She aspires to create safe spaces and resource her students with somatic healing practices that help them meet themselves and the world around them with deeper compassion, curiosity, and love.
Sahmia (she/her) has practiced yoga for over a decade, first turning to it during a stressful season as a way to heal and find balance. As a mother and mental health advocate, she creates classes that are warm, grounding, and supportive — a space for women and caregivers to breathe, move, and reconnect with themselves. Sahmia believes yoga is less about perfect poses and more about cultivating resilience, compassion, and inner peace.
Born and raised here in South Central Los Angeles, I am dedicated to serving my community with as many tools and resources for mental well being and physical health. I am 200hr trained in Hatha Yoga , 250 hours in Pilates Mat and reformer with over 100 hours in continued education which includes Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Aerial Yoga and Restorative and excited to be bringing this practice to my city! Outside of teaching I am a visual-artist with a masters in Fine Art from Otis College of Art and Design.
RC (he/him) is an LA native who has been enjoying yoga for a little over a decade–– off and on at first––but over time his commitment to the practice grew. He found the balance and restorative elements of yoga increase one’s ability to cope, feel grounded, and connect to oneself. In 2020, those realizations led RC to get certified in Rocket Yoga, and he has been teaching happily ever since. RC aims to foster freedom, grace, and safety during the practice; and, he also hopes to cultivate a foundational understanding of yoga and its benefits to all, especially Black men and the broader BIPOC collective.
Ian (he/him) is a mindfulness and meditation leader who brings clarity, focus, and intentionality to the creative world. With years of experience supporting award-winning talent and top global brands, he combines his deep understanding of the creative industry with practices that nurture well-being, presence, and sustainable growth.
Through Age of The Creative, Ian empowers creatives, leaders, and organizations to integrate mindfulness and self-awareness into their work, providing tools, strategies, and resources to support both professional success and personal wellness.
Known for his thoughtful, results-driven approach, Ian helps individuals and teams cultivate balance, resilience, and purpose in an often fast-paced and high-pressure industry.
Alex (he/they/she) is a therapist working at the intersection of multiple identities—queer, non-binary, Japanese American, and Jewish. They use mindfulness-based therapies to help clients live in the present moment and find liberation from the impact of family history and systemic discrimination.
Through Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Alex supports clients in uncovering their inner strength and healing the parts of themselves that may show up in confusing or painful ways.
This work is hard—but Alex believes it doesn’t always have to be
Minelli (she/her) offers a grounded, slow, and playful teaching style that is both accessible and rooted in yoga philosophy.
To her, Black Being is a home for embodiment and Black liberation in all forms—spiritual, mental, and physical.
Her hope is that community members leave with a deep sense of calm, feeling reconnected to their bodies and able to move through life with greater presence and intention.
With over a decade of experience walking the path of spiritual remembrance, ché integrates meditation, breathwork, movement, and creative expression into their personal and professional approach to healing. Previously, ché worked at a retreat center based outside of Los Angeles, where they managed retreats, streamlined operations, and supported communication efforts to ensure meaningful experiences for all participants.
Iman Gibson’s journey with mindfulness began early, during what she fondly calls “hippie school,” where she first learned to sit in circles, talk about feelings, meditate, and practice yoga. She still remembers moving with her breath for the first time to Sade’s Lovers Rock—an experience that became a foreshadowing of the refuge mindfulness and movement would later provide amidst crippling anxiety and debilitating digestive issues.
These lived experiences inform the way Iman guides others—with empathy, vulnerability, and embodiment. For the past 15 years, she has nurtured reconnection with mind, body, and spirit through creativity and immersive experiences.
By day, Iman serves as the Director of Global Wellbeing for one of the world’s most recognizable brands; by night, weekends, and whenever else, she is devoted to serving community. She holds a BS in Public Health from USC, an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, and is a qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher through Brown University.
For Iman, it is a privilege to be of service—helping others find moments of ease and presence amidst life’s beautiful chaos.
Nola (she/her) is a Los Angeles–based yoga teacher and professional dancer whose intuitive, breath-centered classes blend stillness, mindful movement, and alignment. Specializing in prenatal yoga while working with students of all levels, she guides practices that cultivate body awareness, intention, and connection.
Synthea found yoga & meditation as a lifeline to help guide and navigate her through her early years and childhood trauma.
Although her initial training is rooted in Hatha, she has since refined her teachings to incorporate Yin & Restorative teaching alongside her ever expanding exploration of sound healing and guided meditation.
Through her own experiences & healing, she utilizes these tools to serve others in exploring their own autonomy, healing, & truths.
JoAnna (she/her) is an insight meditation (Vipassanā) practitioner and teacher; she is on faculty at the University of Southern California, a meditation trainer at Apple Fitness+, co-founder of the Meditation Coalition, a visiting retreat teacher at Insight Meditation Society, and a collaborator on many online meditation Apps and programs. She teaches; silent meditation retreats, social justice based meditation classes and workshops, youth work, online courses, and works with private students. She coauthored Teaching Mindfulness to Empower Adolescents, alongside Matthew Brensilver and Oren Jay Sofer. Her greatest passion is to teach meditation in communities that are dedicated to seeing the truth of how racism, gender inequality and oppression go hand in hand with the compassionate action teachings in Buddhism and related perspectives to social and racial justice. She is the grateful mother to CJ and Harris and happily married to Andre.
Sasha (she/her) is a community organizer and yogi who has been practicing yoga for 15 years. She became a certified instructor in 2016 and loves holding space for folks to rest and ground into their bodies.
As a mindfulness artist, Dora Kamau (she/her) creates and holds space for individuals to explore different expressions of presence. Her mindfulness journey began over 13 years ago, in search of inner peace and harmony. Since then, she has led workshops, events and retreats, as a part of her life’s purpose to create sacred, safe spaces for healing and transformation. With a background in Psychology and Psychiatric nursing, her love for the human psyche, science and ancient healing practices inform her teachings and techniques. Dora is also a meditation teacher at Headspace, a leading mindfulness and meditation app, making the world a happier and healthier place. Her work in the world has aligned her with brands and public figures such as: Nike, lululemon, Reebok, Saje Natural Wellness, Yes Theory, Shan Boodram, Raheem Sterling, Starbucks, The Try Guys, Bumble, Washington Post, Disney, Essence Magazine and many more.
As a personal trainer, Love realized that true health isn’t just about physical fitness but finding harmony between mind, body, and spirit. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming depression, she helps clients build sustainable practices for their overall wellbeing.
At Black Being, Love teaches Balance + Mobility and Strength Training classes, which provide a strong foundation for overall health and support a yoga or mindfulness practice. Through her brand, Balance with Love, she inspires others to embrace their unique paths to wholeness.
Sydney Reece, M.Ed. (she/her), is an international educator in social justice advocacy, and multicultural collaboration. A meditation teacher specializing in addiction and trauma resilience using mindfulness-based practices, Buddhist psychology, and 12-Step recovery principles of service, healing in and with community, and contemplative inquiry. She has over 10 years of experience supporting adults, formerly incarcerated individuals, and homeless youth, as well as the health professionals who serve them. Sydney received meditation certification from InsightLA as well as the Oasis Teacher Training Institute at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. She holds a teaching credential and master’s degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University, and a second master’s from the African American Studies Department in conjunction with the English program at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Dedicated Practitioner Program, and Spirit Rock’s Advanced Practitioner Training Program. Sydney educates on understanding internal systems of oppression, explicitly identifying and working with American racial history stress, and growing compassionate self-regulation utilizing the foundation teachings of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, somatic experiencing while mapping the social and historical factors usually missing from analytical investigation and single-pointed concentration. She is particularly attuned to the subtleties of diversity dynamics and the needs of women and BIPOC practitioners in the workplace. Sydney has enjoyed teaching meditation and Intro to Buddhism classes throughout California and at different centers throughout the nation. She particularly enjoyed collaborating with organizations and county and state entities in designing and launching belonging and wellness programs using mindfulness-based stress reduction principles for staff and members at Safe Place for Youth (SPY), Los Angeles Regional Detention Facility for Women, HealthRIGHT360, iBme, and Prototypes to name but a few. While teaching abroad for the Chambre de Commerce Orlèans, France, and the Education Nationale in Guadeloupe; Sydney designed and facilitated cross-cultural negotiations and effective communications training programs helping college students and senior executives bridge cultural misunderstandings across diverse work teams and in times of conflict through mergers and acquisitions.
Hakim (he/him) is a Buddhist Dharma practitioner and meditation facilitator. He’s been focused on using practices to bridge an intersection between mindfulness, sports and social justice. Hakim is originally from the UK and currently resides in the Los Angeles area. In the mid 1990’s, after an injury and illness that led him to acupuncture, he was introduced to a life of mindful movement and herbal medicines that helped him to adopt a lifestyle that supported his well being. All in all, his deep learnings and practices in Eastern medicine have propelled his influence with people all over the world. As a social activist promoting well-being, movement, and natural medicines, Hakim’s experience of mindfulness and social awareness supports his friends, family, and community at large. He believes that the essence of mindfulness is not only something to be practiced for the self, but for those seeking to walk (or run) a path of non-judgment, non-ego, and compassion for the greater good of all beings.
Jade (she/her) is a yoga and meditation guide, holistic doula, and community builder from Inglewood. A former college athlete turned wellness advocate, she is passionate about making mindfulness, movement, and holistic healing accessible to Black communities.
Dr. Von Simmons (she/her) is a mindfulness and meditation leader who integrates presence, awareness, and intentionality into every aspect of her work. She creates safe, engaging spaces that foster deep learning, self-discovery, and connection, guiding individuals and groups to cultivate balance, resilience, and personal growth.
As a Life & Career Coach, Adjunct Psychology Professor, and Global Webinar Facilitator, Dr. Simmons blends her expertise in mindfulness with decades of experience in talent development, DEIB, performance management, organizational development, and culture change. She is committed to helping individuals and organizations thrive while maintaining well-being and clarity amidst life’s challenges.
Dr. Simmons holds a Doctorate in Human and Organizational Psychology, an MA in Human Performance Improvement, and a BS in Management & Organizational Leadership. Beyond her professional work, she brings her passions for Reiki, belly dance, creative expression, and liberation into her teaching, coaching, and facilitation.
Carly (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has spent more than a decade in service to children and families in community mental health settings in and around Los Angeles. She is the Founder of Kaftan Collective, an organization grounded in the practice of embodied awareness as a pathway to communal healing for Black, Indigenous and POC individuals, families, and communities. With a passion for supporting children ages birth to five and their families, Carly has dedicated much of her career to promoting trauma-informed, reflective and culturally attuned clinical care.
Carly is committed to the work of decolonizing mental health; particularly in her hometown of South Central Los Angeles, where resources for holistic, culturally appropriate, mental health treatment are limited. Carly has dedicated her work to helping others find their voices, embody their power and bask in the beauty of their lived experience. She believes wholeheartedly in the practice of rest as a birthright and necessity to sustaining the path of liberation and wellness. Carly holds a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from UCLA and professional endorsements as both an Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and Reflective Practice Facilitator II. She is also certified in Child Parent Psychotherapy and Reflective Parenting.
Kaylyn’s journey began with a deep interest in yoga and spiritual practices, which became the foundation for his work in wellness and personal growth. As a newly certified yoga teacher, he brings mindfulness, movement, and holistic practices into every space he holds, creating opportunities for connection, reflection, and healing.
With over eight years of experience working with children and young adults, Kaylyn has served as a camp counselor, teaching assistant, and program facilitator, supporting youth in developing mental wellness, positive identity, and resilience. He currently serves as a Teaching Artist and Program Coordinator for the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project in South Los Angeles, and as Youth Program Manager at the Earthlodge Center for Transformation in Long Beach, where he leads programs centered on well-being, community, and personal growth.
At the heart of Kaylyn’s work is a commitment to guiding others—especially young people—toward balance, self-awareness, and empowerment through movement, mindfulness, and spiritual practice.
Syd (they/them) is an ordained Buddhist minister, spiritual counselor, movement chaplain, writer, speaker, teacher and group facilitator. As a queer trans/non-binary, mixed race, Taiwanese American healer + writer, Syd weaves together magic, possibility + intention in their work with individuals and small groups. For over 20 years, Syd has been supporting healing + body liberation in life-affirming ways, rooting deep into their cultural, ancestral and indigenous practices — holding the interdependence of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual wholeness of every person.
Dr. Tara Zinnamon (she/her) is a neuroscientist and yoga, breathwork, and meditation guide committed to moving her community towards wellness and expansion. Straddling two seemingly disparate approaches, she has found through her research, clinical and lived experiences that the human mind and body are capable of self-healing and immeasurable feats. Guiding the body, breath and mind, her intention is to encourage self-awareness, connection and resilience in the practice and in life.
Aretta’s (she/her) career in private and public sector service has focused on successfully driving national branding campaigns across sectors including government, automotive, entertainment, consumer packaged goods and education, as well as partnerships and funding raising development. Her personal philanthropic efforts include prior advisory board service with Inner-City Arts. She approaches civic issues through a gender lens and her strength lies within finding points of intersectionality to support positive change for the City of Los Angeles. As a Daughters of the American Revolution member and third generation college graduate, she carries forward her family’s tradition of public service, youth education and wellness through sports, play and movement. Aretta holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Fullerton.
Ayesha (she/her) is a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader with a distinguished track record in strategic vision, business development, and market analysis. Adept at driving high-impact projects from concept to execution, she propels brand missions and growth with a blend of community insight, resonant storytelling and operational excellence. Ayesha centers her practice on three key tenets: community, innovation and purpose. Drawing from her lived experience growing up in apartheid South Africa as a young girl and then navigating newfound democracy as a young adult, she takes a human-centered approach to driving cultural relevance and community resonance for global brands. Currently serving as Head of Purpose for adidas, she has been pivotal in turning their brand ethos—that through sport, we have the power to change lives – into meaningful action. This journey has seen the strategic development of initiatives that resonate deeply within adidas communities, showcasing a commitment to equity and inclusion. Utilizing design thinking methodologies, she has transformed how the brand engages with social issues. Under her leadership, the organization has launched and sustained award-winning campaigns, platforms and community programs making the Forbes list for “Best Brands in Social Impact” for two consecutive years.
Christine (she/they) is passionate about channeling our collective power to create enduring justice and community. As Executive Director of SJPLA, she brings together nonprofit, community, and foundation leaders to fuel systemic transformation, facilitating mutual learning, deep connection, and synergistic collaboration. Christine launched SJPLA’s Systems Change Accelerator to bolster early-stage social justice initiatives and Anti-Racism for White People, a year-long learning journey for 170+ community leaders.
For nearly 20 years, Christine has leveraged a blend of community organizing, grantmaking, and policy change to create progress on racial and economic justice, homelessness, and LGBTQ rights. Prior to SJPLA, Christine was the Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Greater LA, where she designed and led Home For Good, the region’s initiative to end homelessness. Home For Good brought together over 200 cross-sector partners and leveraged over $1 billion in resources to create housing for 35,000+ of the most vulnerable Angelenos.
Christine is a graduate of Scripps College and received her MSW from UCLA. She lives in Claremont with her two kids, Huck and Vivian.
Shawn (she/her) is an integrity-driven nonprofit leader with more than 18 years of experience advancing equity, operations excellence, and people-centered organizational culture. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Inner City Law Center, where she oversees a broad portfolio including Human Resources, Legal Services, Strategic Initiatives, Program Operations, Information Technology, Administration, and General Counsel. Inner City Law Center fights for housing and justice for low-income tenants, working-poor families, immigrants, people who are disabled or living with HIV/AIDS, and homeless veterans.
Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Shawn served as Assistant Vice President of Program Operations at Chrysalis, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness as they sought employment and economic stability. Across her career, Shawn has been deeply committed to putting people first—fostering cultures of collaboration, mutual respect, innovation, and continuous improvement. She leads by example, emphasizing quality over quantity and promoting excellence in customer service and program delivery.
Shawn’s expertise spans operations, program design, staff development, and the implementation of federally, state, and locally funded community programs. She believes that strong staff morale, shared vision, and healthy organizational culture are foundational to positive client outcomes and sustainable community impact.
Shawn holds degrees in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, Education in Leadership and Change, and Public Health/Kinesiology. She views the intersection of these disciplines as essential to building wrap-around services and advancing long-term strategies to eradicate poverty and strengthen communities.
Giovanna Fischer (she/her) is a Los Angeles-based Cultural Strategist and Educator who currently serves as Chief Equity Officer at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where she leads initiatives that interrupt and dismantle intersecting forms of oppression while building cultures of belonging and advancing intersectional, justice-centered practice. With over 17 years of experience spanning community organizations, creative agencies, and educational institutions, Giovanna works at the intersection of learning, belonging, and justice — collaboratively designing solutions to the social conditions that hinder inclusive cultural production. Her practice has been shaped by collaborations with organizations including Twitch, adidas, The Edible Schoolyard Project, and the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, as well as years as both a classroom teacher and educational leader. She holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from Brooklyn College through the New York City Teaching Fellows program.
Dr. Maisha (they/them) is a Family Medicine physician returning home to Los Angeles after more than two decades living, learning, and working in the Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Maisha was deeply shaped by early and sustained exposure to community health activism, particularly traditions rooted in South Los Angeles.
Maisha moved to the Bay Area in 2003 and pursued an interdisciplinary educational path across Stanford University, Mills College, UCSF, and UC Berkeley, before completing residency training in Seattle, Washington. During residency, they trained at Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center—one of the original Black Panther–founded health clinics still operating today—located in Seattle’s historic Central District. There, Maisha received extensive training in gender-affirming care, integrative and holistic medicine, and HIV-related care.
Much of Maisha’s professional work centers on navigating medicine as a Black, queer, non-binary health professional and supporting institutions in becoming more inclusive, affirming, and responsive to people at these intersections. Their healing philosophy focuses on expanding access to integrative medicine for communities that have historically been excluded from these approaches. Maisha is especially dedicated to working with Black and Brown communities, queer and trans people, individuals living with HIV, and adolescents.
Outside of medicine, Maisha is deeply connected to music, culture, and creative expression. They enjoy attending concerts, participating in silent meditation retreats, djembe drumming, and immersing themselves in community gatherings and day parties—and still dream of becoming a DJ. These pursuits are intentional, reflecting Maisha’s commitment to aligning healing, creativity, and medicine. Grounded in the belief that healing is both a science and an art, Maisha strives to center patients’ humanity and witness people as their fullest selves. They are inspired by Suzuki Roshi’s words: “Each of you is perfect the way you are… and you can use a little improvement,” a sentiment that guides both their personal and professional journey.
Sydney (she/her), is an international educator in social justice advocacy, and multicultural collaboration. A meditation teacher specializing in addiction and trauma resilience using mindfulness-based practices, Buddhist psychology, and 12-Step recovery principles of service, healing in and with community, and contemplative inquiry. She has over 10 years of experience supporting adults, formerly incarcerated individuals, and homeless youth, as well as the health professionals who serve them. Sydney received meditation certification from InsightLA as well as the Oasis Teacher Training Institute at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. She holds a teaching credential and master’s degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University, and a second master’s from the African American Studies Department in conjunction with the English program at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Dedicated Practitioner Program, and Spirit Rock’s Advanced Practitioner Training Program. Sydney educates on understanding internal systems of oppression, explicitly identifying and working with American racial history stress, and growing compassionate self-regulation utilizing the foundation teachings of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, somatic experiencing while mapping the social and historical factors usually missing from analytical investigation and single-pointed concentration. She is particularly attuned to the subtleties of diversity dynamics and the needs of women and BIPOC practitioners in the workplace. Sydney has enjoyed teaching meditation and Intro to Buddhism classes throughout California and at different centers throughout the nation. She particularly enjoyed collaborating with organizations and county and state entities in designing and launching belonging and wellness programs using mindfulness-based stress reduction principles for staff and members at Safe Place for Youth (SPY), Los Angeles Regional Detention Facility for Women, HealthRIGHT360, iBme, and Prototypes to name but a few. While teaching abroad for the Chambre de Commerce Orlèans, France, and the Education Nationale in Guadeloupe; Sydney designed and facilitated cross-cultural negotiations and effective communications training programs helping college students and senior executives bridge cultural misunderstandings across diverse work teams and in times of conflict through mergers and acquisitions.