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.