Pratt Institute’s Mindfulness Collaboratory Secures Grant to Expand Leadership Training for BIPOC Women
Frederick P. Lenz Foundation Funds Innovative Program Integrating Mindfulness and Workforce Development
BROOKLYN, NY, January 13, 2025 — Pratt Institute announced that the Mindfulness Collaboratory has received a transformative grant from the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism to launch an innovative “Enlightened Leadership” training program. This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower BIPOC women with contemplative leadership skills, building on the Collaboratory’s long standing mission to advance Aarts workforce development.
The grant will fund the development of a leadership curriculum rooted in mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Designed to address systemic inequities, the program will equip women of color, particularly those from underrepresented communities, with the tools and confidence to lead with compassion, clarity, and purpose in professional and community settings.
Co-founded by renowned educator and artist Rhonda Schaller and industrial and organizational psychologist Dr. Esmilda Abreu, the Mindfulness Collaboratory has been at the forefront of exploring contemplative practices to create meaningful career pathways. The “Enlightened Leadership” initiative expands upon their impactful work, offering BIPOC women transformative resources to navigate the arts and broader workforce with wisdom and creativity.
“Mindfulness is a profound catalyst for self-discovery and growth,” said Schaller. “As the granddaughter of immigrants, I deeply value this opportunity to help women with diverse origin stories reach their fullest potential as leaders. This grant enables us to deepen our mission of fostering self-reflection, resilience, and community connection.”
Dr. Abreu asserts, “As a woman of color, I have found true leadership emerges from inner balance and cultural strength. By integrating mindfulness into workforce development, we aim to empower BIPOC women to thrive in the face of challenges while building sustainable, equitable communities.”
This collaboration with the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation underscores the powerful intersection of arts, mindfulness, and leadership. Together, the organizations aim to create a more inclusive and equitable future, leveraging contemplative practices to develop enlightened leaders who can drive meaningful change.
For more information about The Mindfulness Collaboratory’s initiatives in contemplative-based workforce development and upcoming programs, please visit https://www.pratt.edu/mindfulnesscollaboratory.