Shakti Butler, Ph.D

Shakti Butler, Ph.D, is a visionary filmmaker, transformative learning educator, and Founder and President Emeritus of World Trust Educational Services, Inc., a non-profit transformative educational organization whose films, curricula, workshops, and programs are catalysts for institutional, structural, and cultural change.
As an inspirational speaker, skilled facilitator, and engaging trainer, Shakti is sought after by schools, universities, public and private organizations, and faith-based institutions. Rooted in love and justice, her interactive presentations serve as a catalyst for transformative learning about systemic inequity. Through multi-media, dialogue, case studies, and other participatory methods, Shakti supports participants to reframe and deepen the national conversation on race, foster collective engagement, and build leadership skills that can illuminate pathways towards healing, equity and a more sustainable future.
Shakti has produced five documentaries – The Way Home; Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible; Light in the Shadows; Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity, and her most recent, Healing Justice, which helped popularize a national conversation about justice, healing, and the youth-to-prison pipeline. These films form the core of World Trust’s teaching tools and have experienced increased exposure – over 30 million views of one clip alone – generating national dialogue and critical thinking that is impacting institutions and communities across the country. Dr. Butler also served as diversity consultant and advisor on the Oscar-winning Disney animated film, Zootopia, which focuses on challenging bias and systemic inequity.