our Team

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 A. Dickerson, National Organizer for Journey for Justice Alliance, a National Alliance of grassroots community, youth and parent-led organizations in over 30 cities across the country who understands that education is a human right and organizes for community driven alternatives to stop the privatization movement and devaluing of public education. Dickerson is the co-founder of UCC’s Camden Parents Union, a community group of Camden, NJ parents, caregivers, alumnus, business and community leaders that advocate for equitable education, equal funding and resources and the retention and recruitment of black and brown teachers in Camden, NJ public schools. She is also the lead organizing parent of Camden Students Union, a community group of Camden public school students and alumni that that are working diligently to Save Public Education in Camden, NJ.

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.

BYHEIJJA R. SABREE

Operations Manager

Byheijja R. Sabree, wife and mother of 6 incredible children, is the former Operation manager of Unity Community Center of South Jersey Inc UCC, a three-decade old, nonprofit, grassroot organization in Camden that focuses on developmental programs and performing art program as a positive alternative for black and brown youth. For a number of years served as Martial Arts Instructor for Universal Pasha Karate School and Principal Dancer for Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble. Byheijja joined UCC in 1995 and served as the executive secretary for 5 years and quickly progressed to the Operation Manager from 2000-2012. Byheijja is also a certified grant writer and cultural arts ambassador. In 2013, she co-founded Camden Parent Union (CPU) and Camden Student Union (CSU), a community-based organization that educates parents and students on education equity. She also is a Coordinating Member of Journey for Justice Alliance (J4J), a network of 30 grassroots community-based organizations in 31 cities organizing for education equity.

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.

Sharon is a mother of five children, who attended public and charter schools in the City of Newark, NJ. As a parent leader, in her local school and schools across the district children Sharon fought for equity in all children schools and later became the cofounder of Parents Unified for Local School Education,( PULSE), created to mobilize parents in the strategic planning about school improvement. Through her work with PULSE, Sharon created PULSENJ a New Jersey Network (WeChoose Campaign) convene leaders across the state to discuss strategy and organize around statewide demands.“Lasting change in our communities began with the voice of the community and stakeholders. Creating a healthy and driven community with a sense of community pride and a voice that speaks for the concern of all individuals.”