Mindfulness for Racial Equity & Trauma Healing

How Mindfulness Transforms Trauma & Racial Equity Work

Jenée Johnson, Program Innovation Leader at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, integrates mindfulness practices to address:
- Workplace trauma
- Systemic racism
- Emotional resilience

Her groundbreaking approach helps 9,000 employees build compassion through breathwork and self-awareness.

The Connection Between Mindfulness and Racial Trauma

Johnson identifies three critical intersections:

1. Trauma-Informed Mindfulness

   • Recognizes stress as a public health crisis
   • Teaches reset techniques for frontline workers

2. Racial Equity Through Awareness

   • Addresses microaggressions through conscious response
   • Uses sankofa principle (reclaiming cultural identity)

3. Compassionate Leadership

   • Trains managers in emotional intelligence
   • Reduces workplace harm through presence

Practical Mindfulness Techniques for POC

Johnson shares powerful methods for communities of color:

Daily Resilience Practices
- Morning meditation with Calm app
- Journaling affirmations
- Saltwater "sea baths" (Caribbean tradition)

Microaggression Response Framework
1. Pause (create space between stimulus/response)
2. Breathe (activate parasympathetic nervous system)
3. Choose conscious reaction (not automatic defense)

Why White Allies Need Mindfulness Too

Johnson challenges hollow compassion with:

• Historical Accountability Practices

  • Facing colonial legacy without defensiveness
  • Moving beyond "pain is pain" universalism

• Actionable Allyship

  • Doing internal racialization work
  • Taking tangible repair steps

3-Step Mindfulness Protocol for Organizations

1. Mandatory Trauma Training

   • Prevalence education
   • Systemic wellness approaches

2. Search Inside Yourself Certification

   • Google-developed emotional intelligence program
   • 9-month teacher training

3. Daily Reset Rituals

   • Department-wide breathing exercises
   • Compassion check-ins

"Mindfulness is our superpower against systemic oppression," Johnson affirms. "It returns our right to joy."

Key Takeaways

• Mindfulness reduces racial trauma impacts
• Breathwork builds response flexibility
• Organizations must address historical harm
• Daily practice prevents burnout

Featured Art: Mikael Owunna's Infinite Essence series visualizes Black cosmic resilience through ultraviolet photography and Igbo spiritual concepts.