Lerita Coleman Brown is a happily retired psychology professor who now promotes contemplative spirituality in everyday life, the life and work of Howard Thurman and uncovering the peace and joy in one’s heart on her websites and social media.  Along the spiritual journey she discovered that, like Howard Thurman, she was born a contemplative and cherishes silence, stillness, and solitude.  

A graduate of the Shalem Institute, Lerita adopted a contemplative approach to the ministry of spiritual direction emphasizing contemplative spiritual practices, silent retreats, and listening prayer/support groups. In 2014, she founded “Sistas in Silence” to encourage healing through silence and stillness. Lerita’s most relevant publications include, “Praying without Ceasing: Basking in the Loving Presence of God,” published in the edited book, Embodied Spirits: Spiritual Directors of Color Tell their Stories, and “Dissecting Racism: Healing Minds, Cultivating Spirits,” published in the edited volume, Living into God’s Dream: Dismantling Racism in America.  Her first full length book, When the Heart Speaks, Listen—Discovering Inner Wisdom was released in January.

Lerita truly enjoys sitting in nature, reading, sewing, gardening, writing, visual and performing arts, watching college football, telling stories, and laughing a lot.