Angel Acosta
on Healing-Centered Education
Dr. Angel Acosta is a "Wounded Healer." Just like so many educators out there.
The creation of a community storytelling project he led uncovered a deep truth: we need more spaces where educators and the people they serve can heal, thrive, and flourish. We must celebrate those whose own healing journeys fuel their capacity to care for others.
Angel often begins with a question when asked to present himself: “What is emerging?”
Emergence has been a constant motif in his life: “When I was young, I had no clue what I was going to become. I was just following a series of emergent phenomena, pursuing what was most present in my heart.” For Angel, his grandparents’ home in the Dominican Republic was the first space where he experienced deep inner peace: “There was something so magical about walking on that land. My relationship to nature, to the skies, was deeply fostered there.”
Reflecting on his Dominican heritage, he realized the power of feeling fully alive is given by acting from a place of connectedness: “It is there. The void, the confusion that erupts from being in a liminal place - the edge, the cracks - all that creates the fertile soil for surprise, for possibilities. What grounds me is not faith in time, but faith in relationships, that even through conflict, turmoil, and catastrophe, we will continue to relate to each other in ways that bring us closer.”
Now an innovative educator, speaker, and pioneer in the field of “Healing-Centered Education”, Angel helps youth and adults tap into the wisdom, pain, and potential that reside not just in the mind but in the body. A firm believer in “social artistry” as the ideal context for teaching and leading in turbulent times, he leads us into exploring the “archaeology of self”: “We have to act from the future we dream of, or we’ll find ourselves living in one dreamt by others.”
During the pandemic, Angel found himself drawn to the sense of community care more than ever. He began hosting open virtual circles or grounding sessions, generously holding space for anyone with a deep hunger for connection. This was the beginning of what would eventually become the Acosta Institute, a hub at the intersection of healing-centered education, contemplative social science and slow work.
Angel also serves as the Director of The Garrison Institute's Fellowship Program, a Fellow at the Mind & Life Institute whose curiosity extends to exploring with the House of Beautiful Business "the polyopportunity”.
Healing-centered education holds incredible promise as a framework for regenerative leadership: “We might need to plan for having our hearts broken open with the surprise that even at the final hour, we might just get it together.”
Read Dr. Angel Acosta’s answers for Inspirators and follow his footsteps into a space of human flourishing.
Thank you, Angel, for being a Healing-Centred Educator!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Dr. Angel Acosta
Company / Institution: Acosta Institute
Title: Chair, Acosta Institute
Website: https://www.acostainstitute.com/
LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/dr-angel-acosta-1886653b
Country of origin: Dominican Republic
Country you currently live in: New York, USA
Your definition of Regeneration: Regeneration is the process of healing from past harm and creating systems that nurture and sustain life for generations to come.
It’s about repairing what’s broken - whether in education, communities, or the environment -and envisioning new, just ways of being that center empathy, equity, and interdependence.
Main business challenge you face: One of the most pressing challenges is aligning the urgency of systemic change with the slow, relational process of healing-centered work. It’s about finding a balance between transformative impact and the patience required for authentic, sustainable growth.
Main driver that keeps you going: The belief that every person - especially those from marginalized communities -deserves the opportunity to thrive in a world that sees and values their humanity. I’m driven by the stories of resilience, the power of education to transform lives, and the next generation of changemakers.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: The ability to connect deeply with others, listen with empathy, and find strength in vulnerability.
The trait you most value in others: Courage to show up authentically and a willingness to learn and grow, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Witnessing those “aha” moments when someone realizes their own potential. Spending time with my family and meaningful conversations with loved ones.
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
I’m deeply inspired by community leaders, educators, and activists who challenge systems of oppression while planting seeds of hope. Figures like Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and Angela Davis. Their work reminds us that regeneration begins with critical reflection and collective action.
A starting point for companies or professionals that are beginning the regeneration journey: Start by listening deeply. Understand the history and context of the systems you want to change. Ground your efforts in relationships and equity, ensuring that those most impacted by the issues are central to the solutions.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: The phrase “doing more with less” bothers me because it often ignores the systemic inequities that prevent access to resources in the first place. Regeneration isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about redistribution and restoring balance.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: You are not alone. Even when it feels like the world is crumbling, know that there are others fighting alongside you. Start small, find your community, and remember that hope is a practice, not just a feeling.
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
● Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire
● All About Love by bell hooks
● Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown
● Clarity by Jamie Smart
Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently:
● The Acosta Institute
● How to Survive the End of the World (Podcast)
● Code Switch (NPR Podcast)
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Music that tells a story and moves the spirit, like Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, and Los Lobos.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Visiting Morocco was a great experience to connect with others and get the chance to reflect. Japan was a great trip for meditation and building relationships with colleagues.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
● adrienne maree brown
● Leah Penniman
● Robin Wall Kimmerer
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Healing-centered approaches to education and leadership are growing in importance. There’s also an increasing focus on community-centered economic models and the resurgence of Indigenous knowledge systems.
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline):
● Genius Network gatherings
● Strategic Coach events
● INTL Conference by the Acosta Institute
Impactful and relevant Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses or certifications:
● Applications of AI in Education Certification program by the Acosta Institute
● HCE Education Certificate program by the Acosta Institute
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: I see young people leading with creativity, urgency, and heart. They’re reimagining systems and building bridges between movements in ways we’ve never seen before.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: The persistence of systems that prioritize profit over people and the environment remains a significant barrier to change. Without a collective will, these structures could continue to stall progress.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Deep listening, courageous humility, and visionary thinking rooted in collective care.
The quote that inspires you:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (Martin Luther King Jr. )
Your quote that will inspire us:
