The Wellspring
Brittani Hite | Founder of Ethos Equity
With a reputation for calmness, mindfulness is not often thought of as a social justice tool. However, the very potency that makes it effective in calming us down is the same medicine needed to wake us up. As we delve more deeply into systemic racism both at an individual and collective level, this work requires us to recognize and resolve unconscious patterns that enable these inequities to exist in the first place.
Brittani Hite is on the front lines of this work. As the founder and strategic director of Ethos Equity Consulting, Brittani is committed to advancing racial and social equity. With more than a decade of communication and engagement experience Brittani is known for her ability to identify and resolve obstacles to justice through human-centered strategies. She effectively establishes paths to progress for individuals, institutions and initiatives by shaking up the status quo with an intersectional DEI approach that catalyzes transformational change.
"I think of mindfulness as an intentional commitment to personal and societal improvement, which is why it's a foundational aspect of my work dismantling racial and social injustice. Practicing mindfulness allows each of us to recognize and change our participation in inequitable systems by acknowledging the existence of historical frameworks, unlearning harmful social conditioning and actively seeking ways to catalyze collective liberation."
As we think about how we raise wholehearted, inclusive kids, it starts with our own journeys of awareness. We are tremendously grateful for Brittani's work and how she's helped shape the way we move forward as a business. We highly recommend you follow her journey. Thank you, Brittani, for being a lighthouse for us all! https://ethosequityconsulting.com/ @EthosEquity
Caroline Pritchard | Writer & Social Justice Leader
A few times in your life, you have the privilege of knowing someone who leaves such an indisputable mark on your heart, you're forever changed. Meet Caroline Kusin Pritchard and prepare to be forever changed.
Caroline (she/her) uses her own voice to amplify marginalized voices that have been excluded from bookshelves for far too long. Caroline writes stories for children and is the author of a number of forthcoming picture books. Her debut picture book, Gitty and Kvetch, will be released in August of this year through @simonkids and is available for pre-order now. She is a firm believer that picture books are a frontline defense against harmful systems and beliefs that impact kids from day one— white supremacy, heteronormativity, antisemitism and beyond.
We are eternally grateful for the endless ways Caroline is teaching us how to challenge our conditioned belief systems, ask hard questions, interrogate our biases, and reframe our parenting to include a wider, inclusive lens. We highly encourage you to follow her at @carolinepritchardwrites to learn more. Thank you, Caroline. You are a lighthouse for us all.
Dr. Jaime Crowley | Child Psychologist
When we first started this business, it was imperative that we surround ourselves with a handful of diverse experts who've gone before us and created a foundation for us to build upon. Right out of the gate, Dr. Jaime Crowley was our first and most trusted expert and advisor.
Dr. Crowley is a licensed psychologist who provides psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults struggling with a range of emotional and behavioral difficulties. And we are honored to consider her our "in-house psychologist." As a psychologist specializing in treating anxiety disorders, Dr. Crowley frequently teaches various mindfulness exercises to her patients as a way to calm their brains and bodies. During the pandemic, she's needed to practice exclusively via a telehealth platform. This unusual situation has prompted her to utilize mindfulness techniques even more in my virtual sessions, as it enables greater connection with patients through the screen.
Pioneering the way for how adults connect with anxious kids, Dr. Crowley co-authored a therapeutic children’s book, Moose the Worry Mutt Goes to Doggie Daycare, based on her anxious but affable chocolate Lab, Moose. The book is a playful and accessible way to teach children about worries and model healthy coping strategies for managing anxiety. A therapeutic companion worksheet aimed at helping kids learn how to “bark back” at their worries is available for free download on www.MooseTheWorryMutt.com.
We are grateful for the many ways Dr. Crowley contributes her time and energy towards children's mental health. We are lucky to learn from her and benefit from her many talents. Follow Moose (@MooseTheWorryMutt) and buy a copy today for your kiddos!
Incia Palmieri | Creator of "Once Upon a Mat"
One of the most gratifying parts of running a small business is collaborating with other entrepreneurs who hold a shared mission and a willingness to collectively bring that mission to life. We know that the work we do is most powerful when we see ourselves as just one of the many threads braiding together to bring a new learning landscape forward for kids. So when we get to meet some of the other "threads," we hold them close as part of a mighty tribe working together to make a meaningful dent in this wild world.
Incia Palmieri is a graduate of Political Science from York University and holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Medaille College. She completed her yoga trainings from Rainbow Kids Yoga and Radiant Child Yoga and Postnatal Yoga from Toronto Yoga Mamas, 200 YTT from Karma Teachers & is Yoga Alliance designated E-RYT 200 & YACEP. She has been teaching yoga to kids and families for 5 years across studios, communities and schools.
Tara Lehrer | Mindful Nutritionist
A known voice among women searching for a more balanced and vibrant lifestyle, Tara encourages women to identify their core intention and let that force drive their next steps. She leads wellness workshops that help integrate these principles into practical applications. Tara lives in Los Angeles with her husband, film-maker Brian Lehrer, her pup Soba, and a baby girl on the way.
To learn more about how to bring a more mindful approach to your family's eating routines, jump in and follow her work at @taralehrer as well as her blog @howyouglow (www.howyouglow.com). Thank you, Tara, for showing us what a mindful approach to eating and wellness can look like.
