Anti-Racism Education

We can only strive to be ‘antiracist’ on a daily basis, to continually rededicate ourselves to the lifelong task of overcoming our country’s racist heritage.

Being anti-racist isn't simply a label we get to claim; it's not a box to check off. To borrow a quote from Ibram X. Kendi, professor and author of How to Be an Antiracist in The New York Times, “We can only strive to be ‘antiracist’ on a daily basis, to continually rededicate ourselves to the lifelong task of overcoming our country’s racist heritage.”

This list of resources below is by no means exhaustive — it is a start. It includes organizations and people doing important racial equity and social justice work; black voices in wellness; books to read; films to watch; podcasts to listen to. Start here.

People to Learn From:

Rachel Cargle, author, activist and creator of The Great Unlearn: @rachel.cargle
Layla F. Saad, author of Me and White Supremacy, podcast host and teacher: @laylafsaad
Andréa Ranae, coach, activist and podcast host: @andrearanaej
Shaun King, journalist, social justice advocate and educator: @shaunking
Danielle Coke, illustrator and activist: @ohhappydani
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, history professor and author: @dribram (Twitter)
Ericka Hines and Desiree Adaway, consultants, curriculum designers and founders of Equity at Work: @divahines, @desireeadaway
Roxane Gay, writer and speaker: @rgay (Twitter)
bell hooks, author, feminist, teacher and scholar: @bellhooks (Twitter)
Ava DuVernay, filmmaker and founder of Array: @ava (Instagram), @ava (Twitter)
Maryam Ajayi, founder of @diveinwell, an organization cultivating space, conversations and change: @maryamajayi
Sinikiwe Stephanie, founder of @naaya.wellness, which aims to root BIPOC in their well-being: @sinikiwe.stephanie

Black Voices in Wellness to Follow:

Yoga, Spirituality & Lifestyle

Maya Breuer, yoga teacher and activist: @maya.breuer
Michelle C. Johnson, activist, author and yogi: @skillinaction
Dr. Crystal Jones, sound therapist and energy healer: @drcrystaljones
Light Watkins, meditation instructor and author: @lightwatkins
Rachel Ricketts: racial justice educator and spiritual activist: @iamrachelricketts
Pilin Anice, Health Coach at THE WELL and yoga teacher, @pilinanice
Chidera Eggerue, author and creator of the online movement #saggyboobsmatter: @theslumflower
Lauren Ash, yoga and meditation teacher and founder of @blackgirlinom: @hellolaurenash
Nicole Cardoza, entrepreneur, investor and executive director of @yogafoster: @nicoleacardoza
Lillian Daniels, yogi and author: @lillian_daniels_
Black Boys OM, a community of black male yogis: @blackboysom
Jessamyn Stanley, creator of @theunderbellyyoga, podcaster, author: @mynameisjessamyn
Millana Snow, energy healer and founder of Wellness Official: @millanasnow
Chef Ameera, spirit and wellness coach: @chefameera
Edyn Nicole, yoga teacher and podcaster: @edynloveslife
Wanda Parks, certified health coach and aromatherapist: @wellness_with_walda
Chelsea Jackson Roberts, yoga and meditation instructor at Peloton: @chelsealovesyoga
Faith Hunter, meditation and yoga instructor: @spirituallyfly
Spirit House Collective, a "magikal" healing community in Brooklyn and LA: @spirithousecollective
Aja, spirit guide coach and founder of the Spirit House Collective: @thespiritguidecoach
Sunday Phillips, yoga and pilates teacher based in Colorado: @sunday_phillips
Crystal McCreary, yoga teacher and trainer: @cmccrearyyoga
Sara Clark, yoga and mindfulness: @saraclarkyoga
Adrienne Maree Brown, doula, poet and author of Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good: @adriennemareebrown
angel Kyodo williams, ordained Zen priest and author of Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace: @zenchangeangel
Lama Rod Owens, Buddhist teacher, activist and author of Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation through Anger: @lamarodowens
Christopher Griffin, Brooklyn-based botanist nurturing community through plants: @plantkween
Regina Rock, breathwork healer, Shakti Barre instructor, tarot reader & “Queer Spiritual Magician”: @wolfmedicinemagic

Food & Nutrition

Chelsea Williams, MPH, plant-based wellness and nutrition: @thatschelsea
Wendy Lopez, RD, CDE, and Jessica Jones, RD, CDE: dietitians, diabetes educators and cookbook authors: @foodheaven
Jessica Wilson, MS, RD, dietitian, consultant and activist: @jessicawilson.msrd
Sophia Roe, a chef, writer and founder of @thepillowtalksessions: @sophia_roe
Sara Elise: nutrition expert and co-founder of Blind Seed an organization that hosts wellness workshops and events: @saraelise333
Dani Moravek-Pope, nutritionist, health coach and founder of Creative Nutrition Co.: @danithenutritionist

Mental Health

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, licensed psychologist, speaker and creator of @therapyforblackgirls: @hellodrjoy
Dr. Jessica Clemons, MD, board-certified psychiatrist in New York City: @askdrjess
Alishia McCullough, licensed mental health therapist and social justice warrior: @blackandembodied
Ashley McGirt, MSW, LCSW, trauma therapist, speaker and author: @therapywithash
Black Mental Wellness, mental health community: @blackmentalwellness
Black Men Heal, therapy for men of color: @blackmenheal
Create The Space, soul coaching for men of color: @create_the_space
James Harris, therapist and founder of Men To Heal: @men_to_heal
Jay Barnett, LMFT, marriage and family therapist: @kingjaybarnett
Amina Shaw Moss, LCAT-LP, MPS, of Third Hand Healing, visual arts psychotherapy: @thirdhandhealing
Black and Well, a community, including a shop and magazine, embracing what it means to be "black and well": @blackandwell
Jimanekia, trauma specialist & sex educator: @jimanekia
Nala Simone Toussaint, activist and healer who works with women across the spectrum of identities, social and economic realities to support their health and well-being: @nalasimonet

Fitness

Shaun T, fitness trainer @beachbody, author, motivational speaker: @shaunt
Brandi Nicole, MHA/NME, founder and healing hike host @hikeandheal: @thewellnessenthusiast
Tunde Oyeneyin, Peloton instructor and fitness model, @tune2tunde
Ally Love, founder/CEO of @lovesquad, Brooklyn Nets host and Peloton instructor: @allymisslove
Joe Holder, wellness guru and GQ fitness columnist: @ochosystem
Alex Toissaint, senior instructor for Peloton, training advisor for Ladder Sport: @alextoussaint25
Curtis Williams, certified personal trainer and former NFL wide receiver: @curtiswilliams17
Banana Skirt Productions, dance classes inspired by music videos: @bananaskirtny
Allison Tibbs, certified wellness coach and personal trainer: @allisontibbs
Shambhala Yoga Dance, yoga and dance studio in Prospect Heights: @shambhalayogadance
Alison Mariella Désir, athlete and ambassador for Hoka One One: @alisonmdesir

Women's Health & More

Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, board-certified OB/GYN empowering women in health: @jessicashepherdmd
Latham Thomas, “self-care sorceress,” doula and founder @mamaglow, a maternity brand: @glowmaven
All Bodies Health, live and on-demand health workshops: @allbodieshealth
Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a resource to help black women thrive before, during and after pregnancy: @blackmamasmatter
Brandi Sellerz, doula and co-founder of Moms In Color: @bstereo
Charmaine Fuller, holistic health coach: @heycharmhealthcoach
Dr. Rachel M Knox, MD, MBA, endocannabinologist, consultant, educator: @racheldocknox @theknoxdocs
Carla Moss, health coach for women going through perimenopause and menopause: @beingwellaware
Tracie Braylock, MSN, BSN, RN, holistic nurse and writer: @traciebraylock
April Christina, women’s health and endometriosis expert: @imaprilchristina
Erica Chidi, CEO and co-founder of Loom: @ericachidi
Ericka Hart, sex educator and writer: @ihartericka
Dr. Darien Sutton MD, MBA, emergency physician in NYC and medical contributor for ABC News: @doctor.darien
MOBI NYC, curated social connectivity events for queer people of color to see their holistic self: @mobinyc
Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, fertility awareness educator and holistic reproductive health practitioner: @fertilityfriday

Black-Owned Businesses to Buy From:

Skincare and Beauty

Blk + Grn, a marketplace for high-quality, toxic-free brands by black artisans: @blkandgrn
Briogeo, hair care with clean ingredients: @briogeo
Glam Body, body scrubs to nourish the skin: @iamglambody
KNC Beauty, scrubs, masks and balms with lips and eyes in mind: @kncbeauty
Pretty Well Beauty: curated clean beauty products @prettywellbeauty
LIHA: beauty products that blend African roots with a "quintessentially British attitude": @lihabeauty
Pattern Beauty, curly and tight-textured hair-care brand from @traceeellisross: @patternbeauty
Golde, superfood blends and self-care products: @golde
Mischo Beauty, toxic-free, luxury nail lacquer: @mischobeauty
Foxie Cosmetics:, vegan, handcrafted bath and beauty products @foxiecosmetics
Pholk, vegan and affordable “soul food for your skin”: @pholkbeauty
Hunnybunny, all-natural bath and beauty products with a D.C. boutique: @love_hunnybunny
The LipBar, easy-to-use makeup products designed to match any complexion: @thelipbar
Asili Living Co., hand-crafted, non-toxic, vegan skincare products: @asililivingco
Himistry, skincare and shaving care products with natural ingredients for men: @himistry
Oyin Handmade, natural, gentle and cruelty-free hair and body products @oyinhandmade
Reserved and Polished, non-toxic nail and beauty treatments in NYC: @reservedandpolished

Wellness

Glamourina, culturally inspired activewear brand for women of color: @shopglamourina
Mama Glow, supporting moms during pregnancy and after birth: @mamaglow
Loom, classes and services for an empowered approach to sexual health education: @loomhq
The Honey Pot Company, plant-based feminine care products: @thehoneypotco
Ruby Love: underwear and swimwear with leak-proof protection — and lots of comfy and cute options: @shoprubylove
Heal Haus, a wellness community and café in Brooklyn with daily yoga and meditation classes: @Healhaus

Home

Bolé Road Textiles, colorful and vibrant fabrics designed in Brooklyn, handwoven in Ethiopia: @boleroadtextiles
Pur Home, earth-safe home cleaning products “changing the way you think about clean”: @purhomeclean
Love Notes Fragrances, NYC-based hand-poured soy candle company: @lovenotesllc
BLK MKT Vintage, a curated collection of black cultural artifacts and collectibles: @blkmktvintage
Dorcas Creates, illustrations, cards, accessories and more from UK-based artist and jeweler: @dorcascreates
The Wrap Life, premium headwraps and headbands: @thewraplife

Food and Drink

Partake Foods, gluten-free, vegan cookies for those with food allergies @partakefoods
Plantmade, plant-based, non-GMO protein powders created with people of color in mind: @plantmadeco
Brooklyn Tea, an authentic tea room in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and an online store: @brooklyntea
BLK and Bold, a specialty coffee and tea company that wants to “turn a daily ritual into a means of giving back": @blkandbold
A Dozen Cousins, “soulfully seasoned,” ready-to-eat beans inspired by black and Latino recipes: @adozencousins
McBride Sisters Collection, California wine company owned by half-sisters Robin and Andréa McBride: @mcbridesisters
EatOkra App, discover black-owned restaurants in your area and across the country

Local NYC Businesses

If you are in New York, check out these resources to find local black-owned businesses — for whatever you're looking for!

Social Justice Organizations to Support:

Books to Read:

Recommended by THE WELL Practitioners & Staffers:

The Inner Work of Racial Justice by Rhonda V. Magee, a mindfulness- and compassion-based approach to confront racial injustice, recommended by Pilin Anice, THE WELL Health Coach
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad, leads readers through a journey of understanding white privilege and supremacy, workbook included
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Dr. Peggy McIntosh, a 1989 essay written by American feminist scholar
Between the World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, in the form of a letter written to his son, Coates offers a powerful framework for understanding our nation's history and current crisis
Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold, a user guide for white women to become a great ally
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde, essays and speeches from black lesbian poet and feminist writer
All About Love by bell hooks, the renowned feminist scholar shares a new path toward healing for individuals and the nation

Films, TV Series and Videos to Watch:

13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix
Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent
Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent
Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy
If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent
King In The Wilderness — HBO
See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix
Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent
The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax
When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker — Netflix
12 Years a Slave
Black Feminism & the Movement for Black Lives: Barbara Smith, Reina Gossett, Charlene Carruthers (50:48)
"How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion" | Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools (18:26)

Podcasts to Subscribe to:

Further Action to Take:

We've based this initial resource on this Google Document put together by activists Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein in May 2020. We have added to it and will continue to do so.

Step 1 in Being Anti-Racist: Educate Yourself