Our TeamOur team is a circle of practitioners, visionaries, and people with lived experience of incarceration who know deeply what it takes to heal.
Okha's story begins with her mother Usha, born in Zambia, Africa, and her father, born in India, who moved to California in pursuit of "the American dream." When she was only 9 months old, Okha's life was altered when her mother was tragically murdered. Later, at age 22, her father was wrongfully arrested and is now serving life without parole. Healing modalities saved Okha's life.
Okha is certified with 500 hours of yoga teacher training, completed the Nervous System Reset course in Bali, and is Usui Holy Fire III Reiki Certified. She holds a master's in education, dedicating 9 years to the education system, and graduated twice from Essie Justice Group's Campaign School and from Initiate Justice's Institute for Impacted Leaders.
Okha is passionate about making retreats accessible to those affected by incarceration. She envisions a specially curated retreat center 90 minutes outside of Los Angeles. The name of The Heart Center came to her when she was playing in the sand in Joshua Tree.
Micki Jackson is a community builder, yoga teacher, and nonprofit leader who believes that healing begins with connection to ourselves, to one another and to the world around us. Her work is rooted in creating spaces where people feel seen, supported and empowered to reconnect with their innate wholeness. Drawing on experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, grant management and wellness programming, Micki brings both strategy and heart to every endeavor.
She moves through life choosing work, experiences and relationships that feel deeply meaningful. She believes joy is found not only in life's milestones but also in quiet moments, shared laughter, time in nature and genuine human connection. This philosophy shapes both her personal life and her leadership, inspiring her to cultivate experiences that invite healing, reflection and belonging.
Whether leading yoga, building partnerships or strengthening mission-driven organizations, Micki is committed to helping individuals and communities rediscover their resilience, embrace their authentic selves and create lives rooted in compassion, connection and joy.
Board of Directors
An empowerer of women with a background as a public auditor, Cara helps women of color build startups. Away from Excel sheets, she practices dance, somatics, herbalism, and meditation — it was this healing journey that connected her with Okha.
Rooted in Hawaii, Dani came to The Heart Center as a participant and grew into its Board Chair. A mother, partner to a man serving a life sentence, Essie sister, and renowned community organizer, she leads with lived devotion.
Richard spent 20 years inside CDCR, and that experience shaped everything. A public speaker, reentry advocate, and early mentor behind The Heart Center, he is a founder of CROP who remains rooted in faith, service, and human potential, walking alongside those rebuilding their lives with dignity and accountability
A nurturer by nature, born and raised in Southern California. Her greatest gift is holding a safe space where individuals feel seen, supported, and heard — a space to release fears and pursue growth in vulnerability and love.
Our TeamIn partnership with CYLC Public Health Fellowship Program
2026 - 2027
2025 - 2026
2025 - 2026
2025 - 2026Our team isn't built on résumés alone. It's shaped by people who have survived the system, loved someone inside, or been transformed by the practices we teach. That's what makes this work honest.
Join Our TeamInterested in learning about opportunities on how you can help our vision?
