While with the Mindfulness Discussion Group (MDG), I helped create the BIPOC Mindfulness Resource Guide to support mindfulness practices in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. The guide features BIPOC teachers and includes resources such as apps, books, and podcasts tailored to their experiences. It aims to inspire and empower practitioners while fostering inclusivity and accessibility in mindfulness.

Image depicts a group of five Education Justice Project (EJP) students at Danville Correctional Center around a small table with books engaged in conversation; by the Education Justice Project.

Under my leadership, the Mindfulness Discussion Group (MDG) at Danville Correctional Center was expanded to increase accessibility and impact. The program, originally serving only Education Justice Project (EJP) students, now includes the general prison population, offering mindfulness training to more participants. A key innovation is the integration of a supervised facilitation component, allowing participants to develop peer teaching skills and earn credit toward the University of Illinois Certificate in Education Studies. This expansion fosters emotional regulation, resilience, and leadership within the prison community, creating a sustainable, participant-led mindfulness culture.

Image depicts a group of 12 MDG inside members and 2 MDG outside members at Danville Correctional Center posing for a picture; by the Education Justice Project.

I have organized and facilitated two book clubs focused on fostering critical conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Centered around engaging books like DEI Deconstructed, which examines actionable strategies for dismantling systemic inequities, and Me and White Supremacy, a reflective guide for addressing personal biases, these book clubs met multiple times a semester to engage participants in thoughtful discussions about systemic inequities, personal reflection, and actionable change. 

Image depicts a group of four people seated around a small, round table engaged in discussion; by The Gender Spectrum Collection

Under my leadership, the DEI team of the Education Justice Project (EJP) developed and implemented the biannual DEI Climate Survey. This initiative aims to assess inclusivity, equity, and safety within EJP spaces while gathering demographic insights about its members. The survey provides actionable data to identify areas for improvement and ensure EJP fosters a supportive and welcoming environment for all. It has become a vital tool for guiding DEI strategies and promoting transparency, as demonstrated by its comparative findings across years and plans to include incarcerated members’ perspectives in future iterations.

Image depicts feedback survey with rating stars; by upklyak on Freepik