There’s a Diversity Problem in Wellness | A Virtual Panel Discussion | Well+Good Talks

There’s a Diversity Problem in Wellness | A Virtual Panel Discussion | Well+Good Talks

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The wellness industry is not exempt from the culture of white supremacy that plagues the U.S. (and much of the world). Far from it: For an industry that purports to be healing, racist and white-washing behaviors can feel even more insidious. On Thursday, June 25th, we brought together four industry leaders for an honest and open conversation about what needs to change to make wellness a truly safe space for all.

Meet the Panelists:

Elisa Shankle | Co-Founder, HealHaus (top left corner)
– Follow on Instagram: @elisashankle, @healhaus
– Website: https://www.healhaus.com/
– Link to Donate to support HealHaus: https://www.healhaus.com/donate-2
– HealHaus Membership Options: https://www.healhaus.com/rates
Elisa Shankle married her love for design (she holds an interior design degree from Pratt Institute) with her passion for holistic health to create HealHaus, a cafe and healing space in Brooklyn. The wellness sanctuary holds daily yoga and meditation classes, and is designed as a safe space where healing is accessible, inclusive, and community-oriented. After learning how to overcome her anxiety and depression naturally through diet and plants, Elisa became dedicated to sharing the benefits of alternative medicine with others.

Maryam Ajayi | CEO + Founder, Dive in Well + Indagba (bottom left corner)
– Follow on Instagram: @maryamajayi, @diveinwell
– Website: https://www.diveinwell.com
– Link to Donate to the Dive in Well Crowdfunding Campaign:
– https://ifundwomen.com/projects/dive-in-well
– Dive in Well Pivot into Equity Course: https://www.diveinwell.com/pivot-to-equity
Maryam Ajayi is the founder and CEO of Dive in Well, creating space, community, conversations, and change for a more diverse wellness industry. She is also the founder and CEO of Indagba, helping socially conscious people and companies grow into their full potential. As an energy healer and entrepreneur with 10+ years experience in business growth strategy and strategic partnerships across a multitude of industries ranging from politics to tech, she is also an activist, disrupter, and change-maker using her voice to uplift and empower others. Maryam is passionate about advocating for inclusive spaces for marginalized communities, de-stigmatizing the wellness industry, and workplace well-being. She has worked with brands such as Nike Women, Lululemon, The Wing, General Assembly, and she and her work have been featured in the New York Times, Sunday Times, Goop, The Cut, and The Thirty.

Latham Thomas | Founder, Mama Glow + Celebrity Doula (top right corner)
– Follow on Instagram: @glowmaven @mamaglow
– Website: https://www.mamaglow.com
– Link to donate to the Mama Glow Doula Professional Training Program – Scholarship
Fund: https://www.mamaglow.com/donate
– Buy Latham’s book!: Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide to Luminous Living and Crowning
the Queen Within
Latham Thomas is the founder of Mama Glow, a global women’s health and education brand serving women along the childbearing continuum. Through bespoke doula services, Mama Glow supports women and families during the fertility period, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Named one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, Latham published the book Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide to Luminous Living and Crowning the Queen Within, and guides women everywhere to “mother themselves first.”

Nicole Cardoza | Founder, Yoga Foster + Reclamation Ventures (bottom right corner)
– Follow on Instagram: @nicoleacardoza, @yogafoster, @reclamationventures
– Websites: https://www.nicoleacardoza.com, https://www.yogafoster.org,
https://www.reclamationventures.co
– Link to Donate to Reclamation Ventures Grant Fund:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/reclamation-impact-grants
– Anti-Racism Daily Newsletter: https://www.antiracismdaily.com
Nicole Cardoza is the founder and executive director of Yoga Foster, a national nonprofit that empowers educators with yoga and mindfulness resources for the classroom. She’s also the founder of Reclamation Ventures, a fund that invests in high-potential, underestimated entrepreneurs making wellness more accessible in their communities. She teaches accessible and friendly yoga classes that blend movement and reflection.

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17 Comments

  1. Katrina Pilkington on August 4, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    Thank you for this!



  2. Ame T. on August 4, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    Loved this talk! Thank you to all the presenters who shared their experiences and tips 🤗💜



  3. Sophie Loren on August 4, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    Thank you for amplifying the conversation around diversity and wellness and the liked issues and promising opportunities (and incredible work) being done to make wholistic wellness spaces more accessible and representative.



  4. Danielle on August 4, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    Such a phenomenal virtual panel. Yesss



  5. Bri P on August 4, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    This was such a great chat, and every topic and point spoken on was so true.



  6. Jessica A. on August 4, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    Such a powerful and important discussion. Thank you for taking the time to talk through these issues that involve ALL OF US! Much love to you all❤️



  7. Michelle Burton on August 4, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    Thank you. You’re all incredible.



  8. Hey There on August 4, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Man I was looking forward to watching this until the "we" blacks came in. Unsubscribed.



  9. Caroline L on August 4, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    This is a good discussion, but hello elephant in the room.. It is HYPOCRITICAL to not acknowledge that your industry is exploiting Asian and South Asian spiritual practices! You’ve gone through this conversation talking about anti-racism and diversity problems – you mention yoga, reiki, finding your dharma – and the whole time there is ABSOLUTELY ZERO acknowledgement of the cultural roots of your practices.



  10. Jeanne Hagan on August 4, 2021 at 9:50 pm

    Hello, I am new to this discussion. Thank you for raising awareness to the diversity issues facing woman today. I have one question, have any of you seen the latest video of Cardi B? if so, would you care to comment on her what her contributions are to the the Black and Latino community at large?



  11. Niamey Thomas on August 4, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    This was such an amazing conversation and I feel seen. Well + Good. I expect more convo like this led by Black women, and I expect them to get paid! Thank you ladies!



  12. Myrna J on August 4, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    Thank you for this. ✔👍🏾✊🏾



  13. Yolanda Danae' on August 4, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    So glad I stumbled across this video. Each of the speakers resonated with me in one way or another. I can’t wait to check out each of their platforms and continue looking out for new posts from Well+Good.



  14. Fatima Ahmed on August 4, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    powerful intro Latham Thomas!!!



  15. Safa Ghnaim on August 4, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    This has been really insightful, and not just for brands but also consumers like myself. I hope more people watch and listen to this with an open heart and not get caught up in their egos or stuck in silos.



  16. Haydyn Marina on August 4, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    This was amazing, great resources shared, thank you so much.



  17. Ava Yu on August 4, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    No there is not. I have been very fit for the past 4 decades in sticking to a great diet and exercise plan and none of it was because of identity politics! Stop this BS please!