Lessons by Donnalie
Donnalie Jamnah is an educator, instructional designer, and storyteller passionate about work that is creative, purposeful, and committed to liberation and equity. DJ creates tools and lead conversations that educate and inspire others. They have a Masters in Educational Technology from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and two Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Creative Writing from Columbia University in the City of New York.
DJ supports educators and students across the United States in their role as a Senior Education Program Manager for the Pulitzer Center’s Education and Engagement Team. They manage Pulitzer Center’s 1619 Project Education Programs including the annual 1619 Education Conference. Prior to transitioning into instructional coaching and teacher development, DJ taught 10th Grade English Language Arts in the Arkansas Delta. During their time in Arkansas they served on the GLSEN Arkansas Board.
In addition to supporting other educators, DJ works to support other writers and creatives. They are Chief Content and Programs Officer at Black Nerds Create, a collective that provides content through a lens of critical and creative fandom. DJ’s creative work centers themes of community, ancestry, justice, and freedom. They believe in the potential of art as a tool for advocacy and serve as one of the leaders of the Fan Organizer Coalition co-directed by Fandom Forward and Black Nerds Create.
DJ’s advocacy includes activism around anti-racism, disability justice, queer rights, and educational equity. They specifically work to resource and empower other disabled Black parents. DJ currently serves as an officer on their children’s school PTA Board and an active member of both their state and National PTAs. They are proud to be a part of the Apollo Stories Project and amplify stories that spark meaningful change.
