I am an artist, writer, mindfulness practitioner, facilitator, and emerging filmmaker who is guided by three values: Love, Liberation, and Compassion. I began telling stories on film in 2014, starting with three powerful Black women. I launched my YouTube channel @DamaliAbenaRobertson in 2019 and have talked to dozens of people about activism, racial equity, belonging, mindfulness, and collective liberation over the last several years. I’m currently making a film about collective liberation. 

I’ve spent the last 17 years working in fundraising, communications, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). I’ve contributed my leadership skills and human-centered approach to a cross-section of organizations like Stanford University, the Center for Youth Wellness, CIIS, LifeLong Medical Care, to name a few. I’ve also been invited to moderate conversations with thought-leaders like Rhonda Magee, Monica Guzman, Yung Pueblo, Tricia Hersey and Bayo Akomolafe. My life and work are grounded in mindfulness practices that began at East Bay Meditation Center. 

I discovered East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in 2013. I began by attending day-longs for Black women and then became part of the 5th cohort of Practice in Transformative Action (PiTA). PiTA is a year-long mindfulness program for activists. I have continued my relationship with EBMC over the years in various capacities and was invited back to be an apprentice teacher for PiTA’s 10th cohort. As an apprentice teacher, I have intentionally made space for grief (both individual and collective feelings of grief) because it is a universal experience. I believe individuals, institutions, communities, and the world around us would benefit immensely from making more room for grief. This grief work has opened opportunities for me to co-facilitate day-long retreats for BIPOC communities at Spirit Rock and has created the opening for this communal grief project.

Because I believe joy and thriving are birthrights, when I’m not working or facilitating, I’m taking walks in nature, listening to Reggae music, Hip Hop, or something inspirational, attending Heart & Soul, dancing or spending time with my dogs and young adult children. 

www.damalirobertson.com