Today we’d like to introduce you to Dajai Monae.
Dajai Monae is a Dallas activist that advocates for equality, justice and humanity for the people. Bringing awareness to bias and unfair actions towards ethnic group or unjustified circumstances. “My platform is to create unity and equality by bringing awareness to racial injustices, deemed and seen as normal, due to the recent instilling of some, that injustice is acceptable. During my undergraduate program at Texas Southern University, I enrolled into a political science course with a professor that was a representative of the City of Houston. His lectures were both literature and open discussion. Throughout his course, I gained an interest in politics and the justice system. In 2018, I started my nonprofit organization, The KEEY Foundation which dedicates time to youth literacy and the homeless community. Through my nonprofit, I hope to lead my community by setting an example to invest in our youth as they will be the next leaders of this country and pour love into our community.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I live by the quote “The best things in life don’t come easy, but those things are the ones worth the sacrifice.” Establishing a nonprofit and building a brand always has challenges. From building an audience to building a marketing scheme to attract viewers and gain volunteers for events, it can all be overwhelming. My biggest challenge is building a reliable team and managing things from an activist standpoint and hosting events from a nonprofit standpoint all while being a full-time college student and working my corporate job full time. I am currently working to get into law school to merge all of my interest into one career. Doing something, I am passionate about while also making a living to provide for myself.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My platform has grow rapidly as I’ve grown in knowledge as well as leadership. I am an activist that advocates for equality, justice and humanity for the people. By bringing awareness to bias and unfair actions towards ethnic group or unjustified circumstances. My goal is to create unity and equality by bringing awareness to racial injustices, deemed and seen as normal, due to the recent instilling of some, that injustice, is acceptable. As a great man once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” My solution is to inform the community of unfair acts, their rights and educate people on equality and unity by setting examples of kindness and love.
My organization gives to the homeless and the youth of our community by hosting events once a month. My ultimate goal for the Dallas community is to open a community building for children to attend after school for academic tutoring, literacy improvement and mentoring programs. Also, to become a criminal defense attorney fighting for minorities and paving the way for future leaders in this country.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I do not believe in looking back and saying “I wish I would have done this different.” My road to starting a nonprofit and building a brand has taught me a lot on many levels. It has enhanced my knowledge in areas I thought I was strong in and has also helped me improve my networking skills. If I had to choose to do something different, it would be to be more proactive from start to finish and acknowledge my small progressions. I’ve literally started my platform from a class interest and turned it a brand and nonprofit on my own. That’s badass!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dajaimonae
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dajaimonaethesocialactivist
Image Credit:
Aleysha Taylor
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