Christa T. Mahlobo, PhD (she/her) is the Insights & Research Director at Word In Black, where she leads research initiatives that illuminate the experiences, perspectives, and priorities of Black America to inform journalism and drive social impact. She previously served as a Provost's Postdoctoral Fellow in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Mahlobo holds a PhD in human development and family studies from The Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on identifying and strengthening the factors that promote flourishing—and addressing the barriers that hinder it—within Black communities. Through her work on the Humanities and Human Flourishing Project, she examined how the arts and humanities have long served as pathways for Black Americans to express hope, heal from collective trauma, and experience joy and wellbeing. A certified yoga instructor (RYT-200), Dr. Mahlobo also leads workshops on contemplative practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to promote flourishing among members of the global majority.
