Meet Dena
Mindfulness-Based
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Author, Speaker, Leadership Trainer & Transformation Coach
Dena Samuels, PhD, serves as a mindfulness-based diversity, equity, and inclusion author, speaker, leadership coach, and consultant. As an award-winning tenured professor, Dr. Samuels taught at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs for 20 years while consulting around the U.S. and beyond. She now consults and coaches full-time on mindful, inclusive leadership development, and remains on faculty at the university. She has authored several books and many other publications. Her latest book, “The Mindfulness Effect: an unexpected path to healing, connection, and social justice,” offers 25 mindfulness practices for health/wellness, self-empowerment, culturally inclusive leadership development, social justice and environmental justice. In all of her publications and speaking engagements, she passionately invites people to raise their personal and social awareness to live more fulfilling, connected, and meaningful lives; and assists organizations, campuses, and corporations in building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures. Dr. Samuels’ extensive client list includes over 150 organizations like NASA and Big Brothers Big Sisters; Fortune 50 Corporations like Facebook/WhatsApp and Humana; and campuses around the U.S. such as the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and University of Dayton. Recently, she was featured in the award-winning documentary on racism and bias, “How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?” (T. Keith; 2022). Her community activism focuses on facilitating cross-racial dialogue. You can find some of her meditations on the Insight Timer app.
At heart, I am an educator with a passion for increasing your connection and sense of belonging in the world. I am also a springboard to help you reach your own and your organization’s inspired potential.
Dena Samuels
At the Hollywood world premiere of the award-winning documentary, “How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?” featuring Danny Glover, Ed Asner and educators and activists including Jackson Katz, Sean Hill, Kevin Powell, Dena Samuels, among others.
Extended Biography
Educator
Coach
Volunteer
Rates for Services
At DSC, presentations, workshops, and trainings are tailored to each individual client, and whenever possible, tailored to each client’s available resources. Set up a complimentary consultation with Dr. Samuels to design the perfect presentation (or series of presentations) for your organization, and to receive a quote.
Mindful about Money: our Financial Redistribution Policy
At DSC, we are committed to social justice and equity in organizations, on campuses, and throughout society. Our work focuses on shifting culture to create more inclusive environments where everyone feels like they belong. A critical aspect of social justice is equal access to financial stability. Based on US Census data, wealth has grown for members of historically privileged groups (white people, gender-normative males, heterosexuals, non-disabled people, etc.), while members of historically marginalized groups (people of color, all women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and others) have less access to financial stability.
Because so many members of historically marginalized groups experience systemic oppression and financial insecurity in the United States on a daily basis, we must work to level the playing field. Much work needs to be done in this vein. Whenever possible, we must use our resources and our opportunities to create/transform laws and policies, shift culture, and find ways for cross-cultural healing in our communities.
With this goal in mind, when a DSC client is able to pay our standard fees, 10% of all net proceeds will be invested in organizations that are making strides in social justice. These organizations are owned and/or run by people of color or Native Americans, who may also be part of or working closely with communities with less access to resources: women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and others.
This DSC policy is one small redistribution practice on the path toward positive social change, social justice, and equitable opportunities for all.
Organizations we invest in
United We Dream
WINNING PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS
Our goal is to win citizenship, permanent protections and dignity for immigrants in the U.S. and to defeat racist, anti-immigrant policies.
TGI Justice Project
TGI Justice Project is a group of transgender, gender variant and intersex people—inside and outside of prisons, jails and detention centers—creating a united family in the struggle for survival and freedom.
Diné CARE
Diné CARE is located on the Navajo Nation and is a non-profit organization that works with many Navajo communities affected by energy and environmental issues.
Lawyers’ Committee
The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Made up of more than 100 local, state and national partners, Election Protection uses a wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance and defend the right to vote.
Native American Rights Fund
Since 1970, NARF has impacted tens of thousands of Indian people in its legal work for more than 250 tribes. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations.
Social Justice Connect is a resource hub that publicizes events with a social justice lens. It connects organizations promoting their social justice events to the people who are interested in participating in those events. We offer free access to post and to locate programs, events, and initiatives.
