Credentials 

Formal Education

    • Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Theravada Lineage, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, 2006
    • Masters in Clinical Psychology, John F. Kennedy University, CA, 1993
    • Masters Coursework in Organizational Development, Pepperdine University, CA, 1985

Professional Employment

    • Founder, Mindful of Race Institute, LLC, 2020
    • Guiding Teacher, Dedicated Practitioner Program, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, 2016-2019
    • President, King & Associates, 1994-2020
    • Founder, Bridges, Branches & Braids - offering Celebration of Rage and Generational Healing retreats, 1996-2008
    • Corporate Training Manager & Senior Organization Development Consultant, Levi Strauss & Company, CA, 1989-1993
    • Senior Organization Development Consultant, Intel Corporation, CA, 1985-1989
    • Corporate Training Specialist, TRW Corporation, CA, 1982-1985

Insight Meditation Teachers' Councils & Posts

    • Teacher's Council, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, 2018-2020
    • Founder, Mindful Members Insight Meditation Community, 2013-2017
    • Guiding Teacher, Insight Meditation Community of Washington, 2012-2020
    • Guiding Teacher, Spirit Rock's Dedicated Practitioner Program (DPP6), 2015-2017

Cultural Studies Abroad

    • Writing Sabbatical, Split, Croatia, 2021
    • Writing & Cultural Retreat, Aarhus, Denmark, 2006-2007
    • Study Tour of Candomble Afro-Brazilian Spirituality led by Espiritus healer Angela Moraes, Brazil, 1998
    • Study of Afro-Cuban Santeria Religion including percussion and sacred dance with master drummer Carolyn Brandy, Cuba, 1998
    • Led cultural study tours to Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, and Egypt, 1987-2001
    • Egypt studies with alchemist and shaman Nicki Scully, 1997
    • Fourth World Conference of Women: Action for Equality, Development & Peace; I presented on Generational Healing, Beijing, China, 1995
    • Study of South Indian culture, temple cities, stories of textiles, ancient health systems, and classical dance with Alexandra Merrill. Kerala & Tamil Nadu, India; Chance encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 1993

 

Meditation Credentials

    • Practitioner of Theravada Buddhism, 1992-present, Dharma Teacher, 2006 - present; Mentored by Jack Kornfield
    • Tibetan Buddhism, Dzogchen (Nyingma) Empowerments, mentored by Rinchen Gyalmo, Chogyam Trungpa Rinoche lineage, 2006-2010 
    • Dharma Wisdom Circle hosted by Alice Walker and Jack Kornfield, 1998 - 2008 
    • Graduate, Dedicated Practitioner Program (DPP4), Spirit Rock Meditation Center, 2011-2013
    • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training (MBSR), 8-week training, Charlotte Mindfulness Living, 2012 

Continuing Education, Influences, and Certifications

    • Somatic Experiencing training, Peter Levine, 2013-2014
    • Mindful Schools, Mindfulness Curriculum Training, 2012
    • Interpersonal Neurobiology Certification, Dan Siegel, Mindsight Institute, 2010
    • Dagara Lineage Divination with global medicine woman and wisdom keeper, Mbali Marais, 2001
    • Mosaic Voices, Greek Mythology studies, Michael Meade, 2001-2012
    • Family Constellations, The Santa Barbara Center for Family Constellations, CA, 2007-08
    • Landmark Leadership Forum, CA, 2004
    • The Art of Living Course, Sri Sri Ravi Shanka, 1997-2000
    • Trance Dance Initiations, Wilbert Alix, CA, 1995
    • Re-Evaluation Counseling Training, Berkeley, CA, 1995-l998
    • Advanced Human Interaction Labs,  National Training Lab Institute, 1993-1999
    • West African Yoruba Mythology Studies with Chief Luisah Teish, Oakland, 1992-1996
    • Collaborative Organization Design Certification, Gelinas James, CA, 1994
    • Yoga Practitioner, Harmony Yoga, NC, 1992-Present
    • Empowerment Training Certification, Peter Block and Joseph Henning, 1992
    • Neurolinguistic Programing, NLP University, CA, 1992
    • Advanced Tavistock Clinical Training, Gloria Thompson & Associates, CA, 1989
    • Myers-Briggs Training, Otto Kroeger Associates, CA, 1989
    • Transitions Management, William Bridges & Associates, CA, 1986
Past Engagements
Publications
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African and Choctaw roots. Raised in South Central, Los Angeles, in the heat of jazz and the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Daughter to Lodie Mae Cherry and John King, the middle child of eight siblings. Mother of Ernest Cherriokee, two grand children, and two great grand daughters, and wife to Barbara E. Riley.

Heart Activist; Enneagram - 8; MBTI - INTJ; Numerology - 5; Orisha Guidance - Obatala & Ochun; Animal Totems - Elk, Hawk & Owl; Pronouns - She/Her/They

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