Author: amenajohnson

Throughout her career Amena Johnson has had a deep commitment to youth, social justice, advocacy and education. Amena is the former Director of Programs at the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) a youth center for LGBTQ youth ages 13-21. Prior to SMYAL she was a Community Initiatives Associate at the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN). While at GLSEN she supported GLSEN Chapters throughout the country to ensure safety for each member of every school community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. In addition to SMYAL and GLSEN, Amena was the Training Manager for Temple University's Center for Intergenerational Learning's National Training Network in Philadelphia, PA and the Program Manager for the National Conference for Community and Justice Delaware Region in Wilmington, DE. She has also contributed 10 months of community service in Delaware as an AmeriCorps member with Public Allies. Amena has extensive experience in training; curriculum development; working in the LGBTQ community and working on issues of diversity and inclusion. She possesses: - 4 years working in national organizations collaborating and conducting trainings with organizations nation wide - 4 years working in LGBTQ organizations - 7 years experience developing curriculum and training tools for training programs - 9 years experience developing and maintain partnerships with community organizations and serving as a liaison on local coalitions and workgroups - 11 years providing training and technical assistance to community organizations about diversity and inclusion - 11 years supervising paid and volunteer staff Amena received a BFA in Drama Therapy from Longwood University an MS in Organizational Leadership and Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Wilmington University.

Amena D. Johnson

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Jan 2018 – Present                      Prince George’s County Department of Social Services 

Landover, MD

  • Provide support through training and coaching to all PGCDSS staff around working with LGBTQ youth and families
  • Develop a strategy to recruit participants for an 8 session CBT intervention for LGBTQ youth in foster care and their caregivers
  • Review and develop agency polices to ensure that the organization is affirming to LGBTQ people
  • Recruited, supervise and train two paid staff

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – HIGHER EDUCATION

Dec 2016- Dec 2017                              LGBTQ Resources George Mason University              Fairfax, VA

Assistant Director 

  • Responsible for new intersectional programs that focus on the intersections of race and sexuality
  • Collaborated with the library to host a screening of Moonlight. Facilitated a panel discussion after the film about the inclusion of black LGBTQ narratives in the media
  • Organized 15 workshops and events for Mason’s annual Pride Week
  • Planned the first Pride Week Brunch that included educational activities about the LGBTQ community. This event attracted 250 students, faculty and staff. It was the 2nd largest event of Mason’s Pride Week
  • Supervise the Program Coordinator

Sept 2015- Dec 2016           Office of Diversity Inclusion and Multicultural Education

Fairfax, VA

Interim Director

  • Manage programs and resources addressing controversial incidents on campus that affect campus incivility and intergroup relations
  • Help staff develop trainings and other programs that create and sustain an inclusive learning environment where all members of the university community are welcomed, valued and supported
  • Provide human relations and prejudice reduction training;
  • Continue to develop the skills of diversity trainers and refine the curriculum utilized including infrastructure, outreach programs, and related administrative responsibilities;
  • Recruit, supervise and train 7 professional staff
  • Implement a comprehensive assessment plan and make data-informed decisions. Provide data and reports to Senior Leadership to document goal attainment, and budget requests and trends
  • Promote collaboration and collegiality within the department and between other units
  • Mobilize staff in response to incidents of civility that impact the campus climate
  • Represent department on various campus-wide committees

Dec 2012- June 2016                              LGBTQ Resources George Mason University            Fairfax, VA

Program Coordinator

  • Review, design, implement and assess educational curricula about addressing the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) students. This training is offered 8-10 times per year
  • Work with academic partners to design and conduct both in-classroom and co-curricular learning opportunities
  • Plan and implement large scale campus wide programs such as guest lecturers, conferences and theme weeks
  • Supervise one graduate assistant
  • Develop, implement, and assess programs that meet the diverse needs of students
  • Facilitate connecting students and student organizations to campus resources
  • Assist with data management, information gathering, distribution and documentation
  • Monitor office budget including expenditures, costs, procedures and funding sources

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Aug 2015- Dec 2015                                 George Mason University        

Fairfax, VA                                                                                                                                      

Adjunct Faculty, Women and Gender Studies                                      

  • Teach 2 courses: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies and Bias Within the LGBTQ Community
  • Design assignments and course content
  • Prepare and deliver lectures and interactive discussions to students
  • Assess, evaluate and give feedback on student assignments

Aug 2013- Dec 2014                Transition Resource Center George Mason University          Fairfax, VA

University 100 Faculty 

  • Co-teach University 100 course with a student Peer Advisor
  • Meet weekly with Peer Advisor for lesson planning and preparation
  • Serve as a mentor to the Peer Advisor
  • Meet 1:1 with students once per semester outside of the class time
  • Address specific student concerns, in and out of class

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 

Nov 2009 –  Jan 2012 Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and  Leaders (SMYAL)

Washington, DC                                                                                                                   

Director of Programs

  • Developed and delivered a training curriculum for youth and adults about addressing the needs of LGBTQ youth. Training delivered to 550 participants
  • Managed all program services for a youth center for youth ages 13-21, including program outreach, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring organizational goals were met
  • Recruited, supervised and trained paid staff and volunteers
  • Developed and maintained partnerships with youth serving organizations and served as SMYAL’s liaison on local coalitions
  • Maintained accurate records and developed reports in compliance with a grant from the Center for Disease Control and the District of Columbia Health Department focused on HIV testing and prevention
  • In partnership with the Executive Director, developed and monitored annual budget for program activities

Oct 2007 –  Nov 2009              Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN)               Washington, DC

Community Initiatives Associate

  • Provided technical assistance and evaluation to 11 volunteer lead chapters across the country advocating for safe schools policies and supporting Gay Straight Alliances (GSA) in their local communities
  • Conducted trainings and workshops for adult and youth chapter members
  • Coordinated activities relevant to a mini grant program for GLSEN chapters
  • Assisted with the development of a train the trainer handbook and related materials
  • Assisted with the development of  the Jump Start Youth Leadership Program for Gay Straight Alliances

Jan 2007 – Oct 2007               Young Women’s Project                Washington, DC

Senior Program Manager Teen Women in Action

  • Managed participant recruitment, training activities, administration, and relationship building for 4 after-school program sites in high schools in Washington, DC
  • Developed program curriculum and related materials
  • Facilitated workshops for girls ages 14 – 17
  • Supervised and trained 3 paid staff members
  • Maintained accurate records and develop reports

Mar  2006 – Jan 2007             Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning Philadelphia, PA

Training Manager

  • Developed training curriculum and related materials about engaging 50+ year old adults as volunteers
  • Assessed client training and technical assistance needs
  • Conducted training and technical assistance for clients
  • Assisted in supervising trainers who worked in conjunction with center staff
  • Maintained accurate records and developed reports in compliance with a grant from the Corporation National and Community Service

Dec 2005 – July 2007               Leadership Practice               Milwaukee, WI 

ABCD Consultant

  • Develop curriculum and training materials on Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
  • Delivered trainings about ABCD to non-profit organizations receiving funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service
  • Provided technical assistance about ABCD to clients

Nov 2001 – Mar 2006 National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)/ YWCA Delaware      

Wilmington, DE                                      

Program Manager

  • Planned, developed, implemented, and evaluated youth and adult activities, curriculum, technical assistance and training that addressed issues of racism, sexism, religious bigotry, LGBTQ issues, ableism and other forms of bias and bigotry
  • Assessed and implemented client training and technical assistance needs
  • Recruited, supervised and trained paid and volunteer staff
  • Partnered with community organizations to provide programming
  • Monitored program budgets and maintained accurate records
  • Assisted with grant writing and other fund raising activities

Jun 2000 –  Nov 2001              Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay               Newark, DE

Program Specialist

  • Trained agency trainers on how to manage and facilitate volunteer trainings
  • Developed and implemented outreach programming for girls of color and low income populations ages 5-15
  • Developed a patch program for girls ages 6-11
  • Partnered with 20-30 youth serving organizations to provide programming
  • Supervised and volunteers and paid staff

Jul 1999 –  June 2000             Public Allies Delaware                                     Wilmington, DE

Program Manager 

  • Provided supervision, case management, job placement services, and individual development plans for 10 adults between the ages of 18-30
  • Developed and implemented training curriculum and service learning projects
  • Severed as the liaison between AmeriCorps members and partner organizations
  • Served as the contact for program alumni, and organized activities for alumni