Ambassador Spotlight Series: got rest?
By Alisha Reese, CMT
JA Health Writer
Black Women DO Heal Co-Executive Director of Care, Stewardship, and Operations, Regina Lacking, LCSW, is a nationally respected healer- leader, licensed certified social worker, speaker, and integrative wellness advocate with nearly 30 years of experience serving individuals, families, and communities. Through her leadership, she works to advance healing-centered systems that prioritize rest, sustainability, emotional wellness, and collective care for Black and Brown community healers. Her work is grounded in the belief that healing is both personal and communal, and that sustainable wellness requires intentional support, compassionate leadership, and culturally responsive care.
Lacking is also the founder of Doing Life Well Integrative Health & Consulting, PLLC, where she helps individuals and organizations address burnout, chronic stress, and lifestyle-related illness through whole-person wellness approaches. As the creator of the DIET Over DNA framework, she empowers communities to rethink health through the lens of Decisions, Influences, Environment, and Thinking, encouraging sustainable lifestyle transformation rooted in prevention and restoration.
Known for her authentic voice, compassionate leadership, and faith-centered approach, Lacking has become a trusted advocate for self-care, mental wellness, chronic disease prevention, and leadership sustainability. Whether speaking on stages, facilitating workshops, or serving communities directly, she is committed to helping people heal boldly, live intentionally, and recover wellness as a form of liberation. Through every space she enters, Lacking carries a message of hope, restoration, and the power of collective healing.
WHY I Rest: I rest because I understand that burnout is not a badge of honor. As Black women, many of us have been conditioned to survive while neglecting ourselves, and I believe rest is required for restoration. Rest allows me to show up whole, present, and healthy for the people and purpose I love.
HOW I Rest: I rest by creating intentional moments of stillness throughout my day. That includes prayer, quiet reflection, walking, deep breathing, quality sleep, and unplugging from constant demands. I’ve learned that rest is not only physical, it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual restoration as well..
My go-to self-care routine: My go-to self-care routine includes movement, nourishing plant-based meals, hydration, prayer, and protecting my peace through boundaries. I also prioritize time away from noise and overstimulation so I can reset mentally and emotionally. Self-care for me is less about luxury and more about consistency and preservation.
got rest?
For more information, visit blackwomendoheal.org.
