Jonel Edwards
Jonel Edwards lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
She is a leader in the community power building organization, Dream Defenders. Originally from Miramar, Florida by way of Jamaica, Jonel entered the world of activism after the murder of Trayvon Martin, putting together marches on her college campus at the University Of Florida.
During that time Jonel became politicized and involved with the Dream Defenders on her campus becoming a chapter leader. Shortly after her graduation in 2013 she was brought onto Dream Defender staff as an organizer working with local Dream Defender membership across North Florida.
Over the past five years Jonel has gone from campus member, organizer, youth organizer, The Wildfire Project trainer, Training & Membership Development Director, to Co Executive Director for the Dream Defenders where she plays an important role in the next evolution of the Dream Defenders organization. Jonel has also been heavily influenced by the work of her siblings across the globe, from Palestine, to Brasil, to south Africa and beyond who have demonstrated what collective work towards liberation must look like! “This work has transformed me, everyday I rediscover my voice, my power, my dignity, and my community.”
Co-Executive Director, Dream Defender, LeftRoots Member, Wildfire Facilitator.[1]
Jonel Edwards was the Youth Engagement Director and Lead Organizer at Dream Defenders. Previously, Jonel worked for the Southern Poverty Law Center where she participated in the Florida Campaign for Juvenile Justice advocating for the removal of zero-tolerance type policies in Florida schools. Jonel’s activism is rooted in the fundamental duty to develop the power of young people to defend their right to determine their destinies through taking ownership over their education, their history, and their communities. [2]
Works at The Wildfire Project. In a relationship with Jabari Mickles.
Education
Jonel Edwards, is a graduate of the University of Florida where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. While attending UF, Jonel was heavily engage in campus activism. While on campus, Jonel served as the President, Political Action Chair and Volunteer Coordinator for the Gator Chapter of the NAACP and Vice President for the Dream Defenders’ UF Chapter.[3]
Facilitation Team
The Wildfire Project has a team of 17 experienced facilitators, all of whom are leaders in a wide range of movement sectors and issue areas. Many of these practitioner-facilitators emerged from the organizations we’ve partnered with, and now make up our Leadership Team – which is one way that Wildfire is led by its grassroots base. This team keeps us rooted in many different movement arenas, allowing us to cross-pollinate cutting edge innovation and insights from different social change efforts across the country. We are proud that our team is active in the movements they serve on the ground, and distilling these insights allows us to be uniquely multi-sectoral.
Akua Deirdre Smith, Andrew Smith, BJ Star, Catherine Salonek, Claire Bergren, Ileia J. Burgos, Jonel Edwards, Joshua Kahn Russell, Executive Director , Kirin Kanakkanatt, Lex Barlowe, Lu Aya Nephew, Michael Strom, Sachie Hayakawa, Sam Corbin, Sherika Shaw, Sofia Campos, Yotam Marom.
Dream Defender
TakeOver Florida 2013
Nancirulia La Cuata June 10, 2015 TakeOver Florida 2013 — with David Reynard, Kat Engleman, Jonel Edwards, Mag Siddiqui, Shammgod Carr, Jarrel Strong, Rae Rae Richardson, Sadity Mya, Jabari Mickles, Mahal Lee Bryant, Donnell Regusters, Ruth Thomas and Ahmad Abuznaid.
Florida Comrades
Ruth Thomas October 20, 2016 ·
- With Shammgod Carr, Kimberly Gonzalez Tojeiro, China Duhh, Jennifer Ubiera, Ruth Jeannoel, Nana Rogers, Marc Jeannoel, Jena Lynn, Shi'kera Carr, Shamako Carr, Thomas Bryant and Jonel Edwards.
Palestine delegation members
Dream Defenders May 2016 Palestine delegation;
- Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard
- Dream Defender and Green Party of Florida spokesperson Didier Ortiz
- Maria Castro, an organizer with Puente Arizona
- Steven Gilliam, Jr., an organizer with the Miami Dream Defenders
- Rachel Gilmer, the Dream Defenders’ chief of strategy
- A Dream Defenders staff member who focuses on criminalization, Jonel Edwards
- Minister, organizer and Princeton Ph.D. student Nyle Fort
- Black Lives Matter Toronto co-founder Janaya Khan
- Dream Defenders co-founder Ahmad Abuznaid[4]
Comrades
Umi Selah September 14, 2016 ·
"With Chardonnay Ndegeocello Singleton and Jonel Edwards.
Revolutionary Strategies to Beat the Rising Right Wing
Revolutionary Strategies to Beat the Rising Right Wing, was a nationwide conference call organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Sunday October 30, 2016.
- What's the nature of this right-wing threat? What has this election cycle changed about the political terrain we're fighting on? How do we need to prepare for whats coming after the election? Hear about these crucial questions from our panel of top political strategists, including Nelini Stamp, Bill Fletcher, Jr., Linda Burnham, and Sendolo Diaminah.
Those indicating interest in attending, on Facebook included Jonel Edwards.[5]
""Introduction to Black feminism"
"Intro to Black Feminism" hosted by Sendolo Diaminah Cazembe Jackson, and Adrienne Maree Brown.
Tuesday, August 15 at 8:30 PM
Created for Black August Practice Group.
Sendolo Diaminah August 15, 2017;
- Black people! Tonight my beloved sister Adrienne Maree Brown is leading a web discussion about Black Feminism as part of a series of Black August political education sessions hosted by Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and BOLD.[6]
Those indicating they would attend on Facebook included Jonel Edwards .
Black Ideological Struggle Webinar
Black Ideological Struggle: Radical, Liberal, Conservative Public · Hosted by Sendolo Diaminah and Cazembe Jackson
Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 8:30 PM
Created for Black August Practice Group
- Join Sendolo Diaminah for a conversation about why Black radicals can and must learn how to effectively engage liberal and conservative ideologies among our people.
- September 2, 2017. Hey family! Here is the final recording from the Black August webinars! Sendolo Diaminah took lots of patience and creativity breaking down Black Ideological Struggle for us.[7]
Those saying they would attend, on Facebook included Jonel Edwards.
LeftRoots
Jonel Edwards is a member of LeftRoots, Fannie Lou Hamer Branch.[8]
Gillum supporter
References
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]type=3&theater
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ [http://www.colorlines.com/articles/members-dream-defenders-delegation-israelpalestine-talk-segregation-occupation-and-massiveMembers of Dream Defenders' Delegation to Israel/Palestine Talk Segregation, Occupation and That Massive Wall ColorLines Kristian Davis Bailey JUN 17, 2016]
- ↑ FB Revolutionary Strategies to Beat the Rising Right Wing Went 109
- ↑ [4]
- ↑ [5]
- ↑ [6]