Meditation, Movement, and Community Care

Mental health

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Black Being addresses the profound impacts of systemic violence and racism on the mental and physical health of Black communities in Los Angeles. These communities face pervasive trauma and barriers to culturally competent care, leading to widespread mistrust in the healthcare system and exacerbating health disparities. The urgency is underscored by stark statistics: Black residents in Los Angeles are 20% more likely to experience serious psychological distress than their white counterparts, yet only 33% of Black adults who need mental health care receive it.Additionally, Black individuals are less likely to have access to quality healthcare facilities (more widely provided in neighboring affluent communities), contributing to the cycle of inadequate treatment and support. We aim to reduce barriers to care—financial, cultural, and physical—ensuring people can access healing therapies to maximize their health and wellbeing.

Black Being's "Being in Practice" program offers a series of daily, free, or sliding-scale classes in meditation, yoga, movement, and community care. Currently, we provide eight weekly classes, and with support from LA2050, we aim to expand this to 11-13 classes. This expansion will offer more therapeutic options, allowing participants to find classes that fit their schedules and needs. Our goal is to integrate wellbeing efforts into daily life, challenging the perception that they are merely "luxuries" or "one-time" efforts. We believe that intentional, daily actions lead to lasting change, addressing the significant barriers to culturally competent care faced by Black communities in Los Angeles.
To achieve this growth and meet the pressing demand for accessible mental health support, we must expand our team. This includes hiring a dedicated part-time program manager to support overall program development and coordination. Additionally, we aim to onboard 2-3 additional wellbeing practitioners who will lead the daily classes. This expansion targets a 30% increase in program participation, aiming to serve over 300 individuals monthly through accessible and affordable classes. By strengthening our internal sustainability practices and maintaining accessibility in our programming, this initiative not only supports immediate community needs but also lays the foundation for long-term health and wellbeing in South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is already different because of the work of Black Being. Opening our brick and mortar made way for a community centered healing facility in the high-need city of Inglewood; a neighborhood with a deep history of systemic violence and neglect. Our studio has welcomed over 500 unique visitors and we have a high retention rate with 83% of participants returning for two or more classes. As our work continues to be successful, we aim to expand our programs and services, ensuring an array of modalities are represented and can support the schedules of working people. Ultimately, our vision is to offer all of our wellbeing programming and services free of charge to our community ensuring that financial barriers never prohibit an individual seeking healing. Disenfranchised communities deserve access to quality, culturally competent methods of care and Black Being aims to make that reality for Los Angeles County and beyond.

Black Being believes true change is a felt sense experienced individually and collectively. Our vision for success is rooted in creating a tangible shift in how Black individuals in South Los Angeles feel within themselves and their communities, manifesting as increased safety, calmer nervous systems, and clearer minds.
To measure our impact, we use both qualitative and quantitative assessments. We gather detailed testimonials from participants to understand their personal experiences and the changes they feel in their bodies and minds. Regular communication and feedback requests help us gauge the collective sense of connection, value, and safety among participants. Quantitatively, we monitor program attendance to understand engagement and interest. Our annual Community Impact Survey and per-class feedback forms measure changes in stress levels, emotional wellbeing, and feelings of safety before and after participating in our programs.