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About Legacy Refresh and Dr. Shani Byard
About Legacy Refresh
"When I was 16 years old, my mother took me to see Baba Nelson Mandela speak at the Los Angeles Coliseum. I learned about the South African system of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s protest of fasting until there were equal voting rights in South Africa. Overwhelmed and feeling powerless by the horrific injustices he described, I decided to act. Even though I was so far away from South Africa, I could still do something within my control: protest in solidarity. I “fasted” too by removing beef, pork and poultry from my diet until there were equal voting rights in South Africa. As a member of the dance company at my high school, it was imperative for me to educate my peers and faculty. With our annual dance concert in cue, I choreographed a dance about the apartheid, to the soundtrack of the renowned, brilliant singer and revolutionary, Mariam Makeba. The next year, the African National Congress achieved equal voting rights and the people put Nelson Mandela into the Presidency. I knew then that my gifts and skills would be used to make way for humanity to thrive." -- Dr. Shani Byard
Conscious of our legacies and imprint on the world, and in response to the current divisive & shifting state of America, Dr. Byard started Legacy Refresh, in 2022, to refresh the consciousness and strengthen inclusive skill sets of social impact leaders navigating organizational, community and family change.
LegacyRefresh:
- Find Your Purpose
- Refresh Your Legacy
- Feed Your Soul 💜🙏🏽
Coaching, experiences and professional development trainings offered by Dr. Byard are designed to empower the inner spirit and offer reflective skill building for people leaders (aspiring leaders, managers, executives, creatives, educators, entrepreneurs and single parent professionals).
All experiences are inclusive, honoring all gender identities, spiritual/religious practices, and cultural/racial backgrounds.
Dr. Byard incorporates nature, affirmations, multi-media, journaling, breathing, visioning, meditation, discussion and fun :) into online and in-person, group and 1:1 coaching, experiences and trainings.
Testimonials
Here are some key takeaways from past-participants…
“Dr. Shani is masterful at what she does. We were so blessed to have her! Thank you for allowing us to have this opportunity.”.
“Acknowledging recent accomplishments increases my ability to dismiss limiting beliefs“
“The Leader's Refuge is a safe space for community leaders to recharge and rest our minds so that we can continue to help others build our communities.”
“I really enjoyed hearing from everyone and building community.”
“The Gratitude Hike reminded me of my power and strength.”
“Slow down, recognize who you are, be present, stay grateful & listen to the birds.”
"Shani, you are a change maker of the very best kind."
“The tools and resources were practical and helpful. Dr. Shani creates the space beautifully.”
“The importance of being intentional and purposeful in strengthening my leadership skills, but also making time to recover -- physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.“
“Dr. Byard is a calming, positive presence who gently forces you to grow and be better.”
“It doesn't take a long time to drop back into a resting state of mental clarity with this program, it just takes a willingness to show up and be present."
Legacy Refresh Experiences
Experiences offered by Dr. Byard are designed to empower the inner spirit and offer reflective skill building for people leaders (aspiring leaders, managers, executives, creatives, educators, entrepreneurs and single parent professionals).
All experiences are inclusive, honoring all gender identities and cultural/racial backgrounds.
Dr. Byard incorporates nature, affirmations, multi-media, journaling, breathing, visioning, meditation and discussions into in-person, group and 1:1 sessions.Experiences include:
1. Empowerment Coaching
- Emerging Leader Empowerment Circle
- Senior Leader Thought Partners
- Private, 1:1 Empowerment Coaching sessions
- Single Parent Professional Empowerment Coaching
- Soul Gathering Retreat, in San Bernadino Mountains
2. Empowerment Tips
3. Consultation
Readings and Resources
Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes
Knowing Where to Look - Light Watkins
Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes
The Answer is You - Michael Bernard Beckwith
Nurtured by Nature: The Cognitive Benefits of Nature
Autobiography of a Yogi - Paramahansa Yogananda
The Technology of Intention - Kim Stanwood Terranova
Stop wasting your most precious resource: Middle Managers - McKinsey Report
Lead at Your Best - McKinsey Report
Shani Byard, EdD, MSHS (she, her)
Creative Conductor of Human Potential
Career Industries: TV/Music Video Production; Non-Profit; Education; Healthcare
Dr. Shani Byard is a South Los Angeles native, engaged community advocate, equity scholar and inclusive leadership professional. She has 22 combined years of experience shaping organizational cultures for belonging; establishing equitable programming for organizations serving diverse communities, cultivating rich multi-cultural identities and digital citizenship skills with youth/young adults; and, training and coaching leaders for social justice throughout multi-state/multi-regional systems serving human beings.
In 1996, Dr. Byard graduated with an undergraduate degree in communications, specializing in TV production, from Loyola Marymount University. After graduation, she began her fist stint in TV production. In 1998, she produced a broadcast TV show, Urban Nights, hosted by news anchor, Jane Monreal and later, after partnering with the iconic hip hop producer, Dr. Dre, the TV Show was hosted by MTV's and the The Wake Up Show host, Sway. In 2000, with a keen interest in youth development, Dr. Byard transitioned from her media production career to media and arts education. She worked in multiple non-profit organizations leading after-school programs, in partnership with Los Angeles and Long Beach Unified School Districts and arts education intervention programming, in partnership with Los Angeles County probation camps. Dr. Byard also went back to school and in 2008, graduated with masters of science in human services, specializing in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College.
That same year she founded Message Media Education, a digital learning and cultural empowerment center in Los Angeles, Ca. and began pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership for social justice at her alma mater, Loyola Marymount University. In 2011, she graduated from LMU and pioneered a powerful training framework, Afro-Media Literacy (AML). This framework was designed to help all humans learn how much mass media influences their perception of Black humans and how to dismantle that influence to gain a more authentic understanding of the Black community as a whole. Dr. Byard traveled nationwide, training students, faculty, peace officers, clinicians, elders and a broad range of professionals in AML. One of her most popular AML programs was The Digital Elder Project. Dr. Byard also earned a certificate in Media Psychology, specializing in audience engagement and brand psychology from Fielding Graduate University.
After taking some time off to raise her daughter, Dr. Byard brought her diversity, equity and inclusion work to healthcare. Since 2013, she has led the design of multi-regional, health equity, apprenticeship, career pathway, professional development, inclusive leadership development and organizational development programs for LA County Health Services, LA County Social Services, LA County Department of Mental Health, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Kedren Health, and Providence Health. As an Adjunct Professor, Dr. Byard also taught in the graduate school of education department at Loyola Marymount and UCLA, and in the human development and cultural psychology departments at Pacific Oaks College.
As a community leader (Co-Chair of the Civic Engagement Committee & Leadership Council Member for the Empowerment Congress and Advisory Board Member, SistahFriends Women’s Counseling Services), Dr. Byard works collaboratively with county leaders, politicians, school superintendents, non-profit executive directors, K-12 teachers, clinicians and community activists to educate, strengthen coalitions and match community needs with county-wide initiatives.
Dr. Byard's dedication to dismantling systemic barriers and leveling up opportunity for youth/young adults, professionals and community members (from multiple backgrounds and industries), as they navigate the workplace and the world-place, is unwavering. Dr. Byard's inspiration is derived from the teachings and servant leadership models of Nelson Mandela, Jewel Thais-Williams, Paramahansa Yogananda, Michael Bernard Beckwith and Harriet Tubman. She is a proud mommy to Asha Byard, partner to Rudolph V. Richardson, and daughter to Judith Byard and Arthur McCoy.
Empowerment Coaching for Parent Professionals
Let's get clear on
WHO YOU ARE BECOMING
and the path forward.
Dr. Shani Byard, Your Empowerment Coach