Practicing mindfulness can be uncomfortable. It brings awareness to systems we're part of or things inside of us that we're eager to shift. And that change is so, so possible, but not without the discomfort that comes with transformation.
Deep internal work will certainly cause difficult feelings to arise — let us welcome those as learning partners. If we address ourselves with curiosity instead of condemnation, we can move into action from a whole-hearted place rather than a fearful one (thank you, Brené Brown)!
As we've been learning and becoming more conscious of our own privilege and the lack of diversity within the wellness industry, we wanted to amplify a few BIPOC ladies in wellness that we hope will expand your vision:
1. Latham Thomas
Named one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, Latham Thomas is a celebrity doula and maternal wellness maven. Latham is the founder of Mama Glow, a global women's health and education brand serving women along the childbearing continuum. Mama Glow supports women and families during the fertility period, pregnancy, birth as well as during postpartum offering hand-holding through their bespoke doula services. Her book, Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide to Luminous Living and Crowning the Queen Within (Hay House) released on paperback on June 16, 2020. We love she that identifies as a “self-care sorceress”!
Follow Latham and Mama Glow on Instagram for holistic motherhood wellness!
2. Chelsea Williams, MPH + CCPH
Chelsea Williams is a plant-based public health nutritionist, digital content creator, and wellness writer based in Los Angeles, CA. And let me tell you— her content is gorgeous and full of clean-eating inspiration! She serves as 1 of 6 Board of Advisors for The Well, a social brand by Samsung Mobile USA and POPSUGAR Fitness that focuses on wellness content and experiential events. Chelsea’s work has been featured on various media outlets such as TV One, Fox 45 News, ABC 7 News – WJLA, News Channel 8, ESSENCE, PR Newswire, and Beauty Independent — you name it. Chelsea possesses a Master of Public Health Nutrition (MPH) and is a Certified Communicator in Public Health (CCPH) through the National Public Health Information Coalition.
Follow Chelsea on Instagram for all things beauty, wellness, nutrition, and fitness!
3. Dr. Naika Apeakorang
Dr. Naika Apeakorang is a trailblazing naturopathic practitioner, acupuncturist, and herbalist currently practicing in New York City. As a graduate of Brown University and Bastyr University, Dr. Naika runs a successful private practice (in a very gorgeous plant and light-filled office) where she offers mindfulness-centered, culturally connected, and accessible care. Dr. Naika’s integrative approach includes modalities such as acupuncture, nutrition, lifestyle coaching, supplement therapy, and herbal medicine. Passionate about community health and education, Dr. Naika regularly facilitates immersive workshops, lectures, and community healing events around the globe. She has lectured at educational institutions and non-profits, partnered with premiere cultural establishments, and provided corporate wellness activations with global brands.
Follow Dr. Naika for all the natural healing vibes!