What We Do
The Awareness Institute offers diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) coaching and workshops to create spaces where all people can feel welcome to be themselves. We believe affirming someone else’s humanity is one way to celebrate our own.
We offer 3 types of services to build inclusive spaces where everyone can grow and thrive. Contact us to see how we can be of service.
the team
Anyta Wilson, LCSW
Founder & Director
Ms Wilson is the driving force behind The Awareness Institute. She has more than 2 decades of experience in workshop development, group facilitation and delivering therapy that she brings to the work. She explains:
"I started The Awareness Institute because I wanted to change the conversation around identity and self-worth. I saw how internalized bias was hurting everyone, regardless of their identity. I knew that for any healing to happen, people had to first learn to recognize their own bias and interrupt it.”
The Awareness Institute takes her insight on internalized bias and uses that approach to bypass blame and encourage compassion. She helps people revise their existing skills to engage with others in ways that are kind and fair to all.
Ms Wilson has been a trainer with other social justice organizations including The Anti-Defamation League, St Louis NCCJ, and The Diversity Awareness Partnership. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Kids In the Middle and for the Black Healers Collective. She travels all over for trainings but is currently headquartered in St Louis, Missouri.
Lisa Pavia-Higel
Communication Specialist
Professor Pavia-Higel has been a community educator for more than 20 years, holding 2 Master’s degrees in communication and media. She is also a performer, writer, and designer and she brings those creative skills into her training and workshops. Professor Pavia-Higel develops educational experiences that are fun and engaging. "I think that when a group is having fun, it releases many of their daily stresses, and if I can bypass their stress and tension, I can get them working on the problems in their organization."
Professor Pavia-Higel is a communications consultant and has worked with the YMCA of Greater St. Louis as a trainer and professional communicator. In 2021, she created the documentary #reUnited (https://www.theclaritygeeks.com/reunited) and partnered with The Awareness Institute to develop the workshop shown in the film. Professor Pavia-Higel is currently a tenured Professor of Communication at Jefferson College in Missouri.
John Lockhart, Ph.D
Education Specialist
Dr Lockhart has been involved with The Awareness Institute since its inception. He focuses on the importance of rooting out internalized bias for personal and social liberation. Dr Lockhart is motivated by the fact that when we confront our fears that are holding us back, we enter into our source of freedom and are able to help others find liberation.
“I have seen how teachers in schools and leaders in other organizations have set the tone and produced a workplace that recreates inferiority. I have also seen that when folks take an honest look at themselves and their environment, they have the chance for personal healing, which ripples out to those they work with. This personal liberation and evolution is key to helping others and improving our society.”
Having worked as a high school teacher, professor of education, vice principal, principal, and district leader, Dr Lockhart has deep experience in schools, guided by a strong belief in student-centered pedagogy. He has facilitated workshops for school districts, governmental agencies, and non-profits, particularly in the realm of equity and diversity, race and racism, inequality, and the healing journey. He also developed workshops and facilitated learning for seven years with the Oregon Center for Educational Equity. Dr Lockhart currently works as science curriculum director for University Prep Schools in Detroit, Michigan.
Lori Reed
Program Specialist
Ms Reed is an activist, peace educator, and award-winning journalist who focuses on social and economic justice. As the International Affairs program director for the St. Louis American Friends Service Committee she created large-scale programs to teach people about the Jubilee international debt cancellation project and partnered with the Hibakusha program of the Hiroshima Peace foundation on nuclear disarmament. As a community initiatives consultant in East St. Louis, IL, Ms Reed created healing creative writing workshops for the East St. Louis Boys and Girls Club of America and facilitated team-building programs for the Lessie Bates Davis neighborhood house.
"The power of shared human stories and interaction has an effect that transcends even the most entrenched oppressive systems and thought patterns. The through line for me has always been common goal building powered by making authentic human connections in safe spaces where we have the opportunity to truly see each other."
Our History