Cierra Kaler-Jones
Meet the Instructor
Cierra Kaler-Jones, Ph.D. is a social justice educator, writer, researcher, narrative coach, movement and meditation instructor, and speaker based in Washington, D.C. She took her love of storytelling in all its forms and founded Unlock Your Story, an organization that supports women and organizations in leveraging storytelling for liberation, community-building, and social change. She also serves as the Director of Storytelling at Communities for Just Schools Fund.
She’s led writing and storytelling workshops at universities and colleges including the Pennsylvania State University, Louisiana State University, Rutgers University, University of Maryland - College Park, and more; given over 300 talks and keynotes including TEDx and SXSW EDU; was invited to speak to senior officials at the White House, U.S. Departments of Justice, and Education; and has led social justice and healing spaces for companies across the country, including Athleta and 305 Fitness. She is also a lecturer at George Mason University and Georgetown University.
Her writing is featured in outlets such as Midnight & Indigo, magazines like Rethinking Schools, academic journals like the Middle School Journal, and books including Strong Black Girls: Reclaiming Schools in Their Own Image, Black Girl Civics: Expanding and Navigating the Boundaries of Civic Engagement, and Teaching Brilliant, Beautiful Black Girls.