For the past 40 years, Nina Laboy has gained wisdom through working in collaboration with others on issues of human justice. Nina continues to explore spiritual evolution through her practice in Buddhist Mindful Meditation in the way of Thich Nhat Hanh and S.N. Goenka among other Buddhist Masters. Nina joined Seattle Insight in 1998. In 2003, Nina became an original member of the Seattle People of Color and Allies Sangha and now sits and studies with elders of its Crone Sangha.
Nina’s life work is dedicated to her (r)evolution as a human.
Her work and volunteer life experiences include an eclectic variety of skills, education and adventure.
Nina began as a middle school teacher of ESL, Drama, and Creative Writing in the South Bronx, after earning a BA in English and Drama from Fordham University. Completing studies at the New York University Non Profit Institute, she entered the world of youth development; managing a consortium of alternative youth services in New York City.
After moving west in 1996, Nina became the Director of Summer Youth Employment and Education for the City of Seattle. She moved on as a director of programs for American Friends Service Committee, international Quaker organization. Her work focused on humanitarian aid, social justice, undoing racism, gender rights and peace building.
Another important aspect of Nina‘s life is her activism and performance resume. Nina joined former Young Lord’s in the founding of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and has led campaigns exposing police brutality and racial bias crimes. She’s a founding member of The South Bronx Clean Air and organized in holding polluters and regulators accountable. Nina is an accomplished singer of Nueva Cancion, Latin Jazz and the American songbook. She is grandma to eight, great grandmother of 5, mother of 4; all precious Ones. Nina is of Taino, African, and Spanish heritage.
Nina has just completed the 2-year Dedicated Practitioner Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Society and is currently earning her credentials as a Mindful Meditation Teacher under the tutelage of Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach and other notable teachers.
