Shawana Ward is an author, Reiki I practitioner, and Mindfulness Director at Hampton University. Shawana graduated from Old Dominion University in 2014. After obtaining her psychology degree, Shawana went on to further her education through enrichment and state certifications, working in the counseling and mental health fields for almost 10 years. After having her own son and creating her own mindfulness and wellness practices, she then began education on chakra healing, alternative and holistic services, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Since graduating, Shawana has co-founded a nonprofit, Extract Attract Inc., that assists youth, adolescents, and emerging adults in developing the confidence and skills they need to be successful individuals in the community. Shawana has reached several K–12 public and private schools, created mindfulness workshops up and down the east coast, and facilitated community and workplace wellness sessions all over the DMV area.

Shawana believes that healthy environments create healthy individuals and, in turn, create healthy communities, motivating her to continue to serve via guided meditation, yoga practice, shadow work, and mindfulness-based practices.