Coaching for Liberation

"I cannot recommend Hooks Global enough! Karena provided professional coaching to me that was culturally responsive and right on time. I've had various mentors and have participated in numerous leadership programs but my experience with Karena was above and beyond. Over the course of our time together, I grew personally and professionally. Because of Hooks, I was able to set life changing, sustainable goals. I can't thank Karena enough. She is AMAZING!"

"I first met Karena when I was a student at Everett Community College and she was the Director of Equity. She shows up as a mentor, friend, sister, auntie, and she steps up to support no matter the challenge. Karena embodies what it means to be in community and to build better communities. She meets people where they are with the purpose of nurturing them and helping them to see a better version of themselves. Not only do I recommend her constantly, but I often hear her recommended by trusted members of our community. In a time when the world is going through a racial reckoning, Karena's superpower is holding space for all voices to be heard, for difficult conversations to be had, and for people to tap in and ignite their better selves."

"Hooks Global partnered with KING 5's award-winning original series, Facing Race for a series of sessions exploring race and identity. They skillfully facilitated thorny conversations with depth and sensitivity. Their teachings seamlessly incorporated psychology, history, race theory, music, film, and poetry and resulted in a groundbreaking segment unlike anything KING 5 has broadcasted in recent history. Viewers called the piece that aired "impactful," "excellent," "vulnerable," and 'brave.'"

"Working with Karena completely reframed and enhanced how I saw myself as a social worker and a person committed to racial justice. Karena’s coaching supported my growth in racial equity work, moving toward action by identifying one tangible anti-racist action I could make each day, a practice I’ve continued. Karena’s guidance also helped me clarify long-term career goals that felt like pipe dreams and are now my reality. Karena has an unmistakable gift to see a whole person and all of their strengths and what they might identify as challenges and reframe those with context from their past as strengths and identify how all of experiences work for the person.”

“There are many consultants out there leading DEI work. When I first heard Karena speak though, I was hooked. Her passion, authenticity, and care for the people in the room helps create a space where people become willing to take risks and engage in difficult conversations. Not only does she gently invite others to engage in deep, critical reflection, she models what this looks like for her audiences. Hooks Global shows people the way to becoming our best selves so we can contribute to making our world one where our identities are not barriers to opportunity.”

“Karena serves as a mentor and friend while supporting our daughter, Sophia, with safe decision-making and ways to promote social justice. We see Karena's counsel at work when we hear our daughter discuss what qualities make good friends and when we joined her in a BLM protest she organized for her high school and the community. Perhaps most dear to us are the recent conversations with our daughter, which point to the work Sophia has willingly engaged in with Karena. We treasure these conversations and have missed this connection with her. Thank you, Karena, for your dedication, help, and heart-felt work. We love watching Sophia grow, use, and explore her talents!”

“Instantly Karena and I bonded, for we both are biracial women who grew up in a white family and we are able to relate to each other’s struggles. Our conversations are always in-depth and interesting because we are intelligent advocates who have similar beliefs. Over time, Karena has become more like a sister to me because we empathize with each other’s pain and happiness and because of our struggles, we have both become strong women. Karena has helped me heal more than any other therapist because she creates a safe space to talk about our pain and makes an effort to show she cares about her clients.”