our Team
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JITU BROWN
National Director
Jitu Brown, National Director of the Journey for Justice Alliance (J4J) is a long-time community organizer born on Chicago’s south side. He is a product of Chicago’s public school system and is a proud parent and husband. Jitu started volunteering for the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), the oldest black-led organizing community-based organization in Chicago in 1991. He eventually joined the staff as Education Organizer in 2006 and organized in the Kenwood Oakland neighborhood for over 20 years bringing parents, students, teachers and community members together to collectively participate in the education system by developing various educational initiatives and battle back against efforts to systematically disinvest in, close and privatize schools in Chicago.
In his role as National Director for J4J, he leads an alliance of grassroots community, youth, and parent-led organizations in over 30 cities across the country demanding community-driven alternatives to the privatization of and dismantling of public schools systems. He has brought great energy and focus to the connection between the attacks on public education and the disempowerment of African American communities all across the country.
He was one of 12 parents, grandparents and community members who put their bodies on the line in a 34-day long hunger strike to save Walter H. Dyett High School in Chicago, the last open enrollment High School in the historic Bronzeville community. As a result of their gallant efforts, Dyett High School is the first closed school in the country that has re-opened as an open-enrollment, neighborhood school. His dynamic organizing in our neighborhoods, cities, and nationally for an equitable and just education system is based on a belief in the potential of all children and the rights of parents, youth, and communities to participate in all aspects of planning and decision-making.
RONSHA A. DICKERSON
National Organizer
Ronsha has dedicated her life to serving the community through developing cultural centered art, education and youth programs. Her goal for any urban city is to empower its residents and strengthen its community.
Ronsha has been married to her high school sweetheart Jamal P. Dickerson for 20 years and through their union is blessed to be the mother of six magical children.
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BYHEIJJA R. SABREE
Operations Manager
In 2014, Sabree started Stop, Drop and Dance SD&D, a performing arts production company that creates opportunities for youth and young adults to express themselves positively through performance art. SD&D believes that art and art education should be accessible to everyone, especially communities of color. SD&D provides a platform to host premier events to showcase local, national and international artists. SD&D has hosted workshops featuring Kaelyn “KK” Harris (Usher and Missy Elliot) and Miss Ksyn (Beyonce, Sean Paul and Lip Sync Battle) and in 2016 and 2017, SD&D hosted a master dance class featuring World Renowned Artist Les Twins (2017 WOD Winners , Revolution, MIB International & Cats).
She has currently collaborated with Les Twins to launch #WECHOOSETHEARTS, a campaign to bring arts education workshops to students in disadvantaged cities across the country and abroad.
Byheijja is owner and Lead Graphic Designer for An Eye on Design LLC, an independent, family based custom graphic design and printing company based in Camden, NJ.
SHARON SMITH
Leadership Development Coordinator
Sharon Smith, Leadership Development Coordinator for the Journey for Justice Alliance brings more than twenty years of experience as a trained community organizer and partnerships manager. Specialties include new program development, training, cultivating community partnerships, outreach, and community engagement. Development and strategic planning in the youth, social services, and education sectors. She has the ability to work with leadership in communities across the United States to implement strategic plans to advance organizational mission and vision.
In her role as the Leadership Development Coordinator, she organizes and facilitates training for member organizations and allies on sustainable community schools, parent and student leadership development.
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