Angel Kyodo Williams

Angel Kyodo Williams is an author and Zen sensei (teacher), one of only three black women in this role. As founder and spiritual leader of the Center for Transformative Change, she applies wisdom teaching to social issues and is a leading voice for a movement that she has coined “transformative social change.” Williams published her first book, Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace, in 2000; her 2016 book, Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation, explores racial injustice as a barrier to collective awakening. In recognition of her work, Williams received the first Creating Enlightened Society Award from Shambhala leader Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.