DJ graduated from Pitzer College with a degree in Psychology and Africana Studies and received her Masters of Education degree from the University of Michigan. While in Detroit, she started a nonprofit organization called TUF cookies that supported young girls to be activists in their communities. She joined KIPP Ignite in 2015 as a kindergarten teacher. In 2018, she became a Dean and managed both Kindergarten and 1st grade. From there she became an ASL for about 3 months and further progressed to being School Leader in 2019 (interim) and 2020.

For 5 years, DJ served as the first Black School Leader and longest sitting School Leader KIPP Ignite has ever had. In June, DJ will be joining KIPP SoCal’s Regional Teaching and Learning team as a Regional Early Literacy Coach for KIPP SoCal’s 22 schools. In her free time, she loves to try new restaurants, go to concerts, and have game nights with friends.