W.K. Kellogg Racial Justice Scholars
Since August 2022, we’ve partnered with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to amplify our commitment to racial equity and transformative solidarity. Through this collaboration, we have empowered grassroots advocates by providing them with access to restorative tools and a supportive community. Our cohort of 19 advocates are now driving positive change on a global scale.
Burnout among racial justice leaders is real. The compounded stresses of entrenched, systemic injustice and advocacy work can disrupt every aspect of our lives—our relationships, our workplaces, and our communities, in addition to our individual health. Trauma is a significant public health issue. Yet, with the right tools to address and move beyond the burnout, leaders can move through trauma and gain a deeper understanding of self and others, greater wisdom, and more compassion. The Center for Mind Body Medicine (CMBM) equips leaders with the training and tools necessary for personal healing and resilience-building.
In August 2022, CMBM launched our partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to bring our model of self-care and mutual support to racial justice advocates across the United States. CMBM Faculty and member of the W.K. Kellogg Solidarity Council on Racial Equity (SCoRE), Diane Wolk-Rogers, MEd, NBCT, recognized the need for racial justice advocates to gain access to the CMBM model for self-care and mutual support
Through her advocacy, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has generously supported the participation of racial justice advocates in CMBM training, with 19 advocates joining our March 2023 Online Professional Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine. In this five-day training, participants engaged deeply with our evidence-based model and forged connections with professionals around the world.
Impact
The W.K. Kellogg Racial Justice Cohort consists of 19 passionate changemakers committed to transformative community healing and racial justice. They come from diverse communities grappling with historical, systemic racism and communities reeling with the aftermath of racist acts of mass violence. They’re also making global impacts in their work with refugees and asylum-seekers.
The W.K. Kellogg Racial Justice Cohort will participate in CMBM training through January 2024.
Testimonials
Despite being in the early stages of the program, these scholars have begun sharing the CMBM model in the communities they serve and are seeing significant positive outcomes.
‘Thank you’ are two small words that go a long way. How do you say ‘thank you’ to someone who gave you the opportunity to re-discover yourself and introduced you to so many other amazing people who are on the same journey? I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to learn skills and practices to heal myself and then teach others to do the same. Thank you.
This training was life-changing. It introduced me to people from around the world. I was able to hear, connect, and empathize with other people’s pain, trauma, and lifestyles. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life as a young Black man and I’m very thankful to have been able to participate in this program.
Next Steps
We are eager to welcome back 12 members of our W.K. Kellogg Racial Justice Cohort to our Online Advanced Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine, where they will deepen their understanding of mind-body medicine skills and will learn to lead Mind-Body Skills Groups in their communities. Another six members of the W.K. Kellogg Racial Justice Cohort will have the opportunity to take their training to the highest level through our Certification Program, a program of intensive study and supervision.
The inaugural Kellogg Cohort included the following scholars:
Kush K. Bhardwaj (Williamsville, NY)
Jacqueline Cherry (Buffalo, NY)
Deidra EmEl (Buffalo, NY)
Wesley Hawkins (Baltimore, MD)
Kimberly Lagree-Saleh (Baltimore, MD)
Randall Leonard, LCSW-C (Baltimore, MD)
Petra Harmon One Hawk (Fort Yates, ND)
Catherine Roberts (Puerto Rico)
Matila Jasmine Sackor-Jones II (Glen Burnie, MD)
Debbie Rica Wilson (Baltimore, MD)
Rachel Bruno (Coconut Creek, FL)
Amalia Deloney (Baltimore, MD)
William J. Hicks (Baton Rouge, LA)
Eric Wellington King (Rosedale, MD)
Andreana Elise Lefton (Champlin, NY)
Nazafarin Lotfi (Tucson, AZ)
Gustavo Perez (Tucson, AZ)
Victoria Ross (Buffalo, NY)
Dina Thompson (Buffalo, NY)
Get Involved
Our work with our Health Equity Scholars doesn’t end here. We aim to continue building partnerships with other charitable organizations to expand access to our trauma-healing and resiliency-building tools.
Support our Health Equity Scholars
Ready to partner with us to bring mind-body medicine skills to another cohort of Health Equity Scholars? Let’s talk.
Learn about our scholarships
We offer a limited number of partial and full scholarships for our training programs. Get more information on current opportunities.
