Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Tiara is a Black woman with an Indigenous heritage (non-enrolled Chahta and Tsalagi descendant) with cultural roots in India. She uses these ethnic and cultural connections to inform and curate the Equitable Mindfulness Framework, which is meant to support mindfulness practice and conversations across social differences. Featured on NPR (National Public Radio) as an expert in mindfulness and social justice, Tiara is also a certified Koru Mindfulness Instructor with a 20-year personal practice of mindfulness and meditation.

Academically, Tiara has been granted scholarships, grants, and awards for her work with mindfulness in the student-athlete population, mindfulness, equity/social justice, and creating transformative art with a foundation of mindful practice. For the last 5 years, she has been invited internationally to present on her research involving mindfulness and overlooked populations and utilizing community for life transitions.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx