Featured Speaker: Dr. Deja L. Jones

Dr. Deja L. Jones is a community activist and educator dedicated to empowering Black children through high-quality education and nature-based experiences. As the Founder and Head of School at Honeypot Montessori in Newark, NJ, Deja works to bridge the gap between education and nature for her community ensuring increased access for Black children. Deja's academic journey led her to earn a Ph.D. from Saybrook University's Transformative Social Change department, specializing in Early Childhood Education Sociology. With a decade of experience in the field, she has worn many hats, including case management, program coordination, curriculum design, and classroom teaching, collaborating with renowned organizations such as FoodCorps, Newark Public Schools, KIPP New Jersey, and more.

She holds a B.A. in Journalism & Media Studies from Rutgers University-Newark and an M.Ed. in Teaching & Learning Leadership from Liberty University, blending her passion for media and education seamlessly. Deja's research focuses on critical issues, including environmental racism in early childhood development, building resilience in Black youth through environmental education, and promoting sustainability in urban communities like Newark and Trenton, New Jersey. Deja's dedication to driving change and sharing her insights has led her to speak at numerous conferences, including SXSW EDU, EdFest, Rutgers-Newark Urban Education conference, and Natural Start's Nature-Based Early Learning Conference.