Kiyomi is an Afro-Latin, queer, Jewish, Marine Corps veteran and mother who works to ensure that all of the intersecting identities of her and her children feel at home in any space. If there is one word to sum up her life’s work it would be “inclusion.” Kiyomi’s social justice activism is centered on creating more inclusive spaces for Jewish people of all backgrounds as well as eradicating racism and antisemitism. To that end, she develops, produces, and facilitates panels, workshops, and discussions on the topics of race, racism, and antisemitism. She utilizes non-violent communication approaches to coach people through tough conversations and promote productive dialogues.

 In 2020, Kiyomi co-founded Jewbian Princess, a Black, Jewish women-led organization to deliver corporate-level diversity and inclusion education to Jewish organizations through a Jewish lens. Kiyomi became a facilitator at Project Shema to help educate people on antisemitism and its root causes within movement spaces in 2021. In her role as the Vice President of Partnerships at Project Shema, Kiyomi works with the Jewish community and allies to foster communication skills and strategies that will help reduce anti-Jewish rhetoric and harm. She is also a facilitator at Ta’amod and “stands up” for creating psychologically safe Jewish workplaces through empathy, education, and equity. 

In addition to her day jobs, Kiyomi serves as a board member of the Los Angeles section of the National Council for Jewish Women (“NCJW”) and the national board of Jewish Council of Public Affairs (“JCPA”). She has a degree in political science and a Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in public service. Kiyomi lives with her partner and two children in the suburbs of Los Angeles where she can be found watercolor painting, embroidering, and sewing pieces of flare to inspire a more just world. Learn more about her at KiyomiKowalski.com.