Avon Hart-johnson
Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson is a distinguished advocate, researcher, and author dedicated to advancing social justice and supporting marginalized communities. As the president and co-founder of DC Project Connect (DCPC), a community-based organization located in the Washington, DC area, Dr. Hart-Johnson has demonstrated unwavering commitment to providing support, advocacy, and psychoeducational services for families of justice-aligned individuals. Under her leadership, DCPC has spearheaded numerous initiatives over the past ten years, serving over 1,500 returned citizens and reaching a collective of 21,000 constituents in the DC, VA, and MD areas, as well as nationally.
A key focus of Dr. Hart-Johnson's advocacy efforts lies in local engagement with organizations such as the National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens, the Reentry Action Network, and Rethink Justice. Her involvement spans from grassroots initiatives to international platforms, exemplified by her role as the chairperson of the Connecting 4 Justice, Advocacy in Action Coalition, a national consortium dedicated to addressing social justice issues within the mass incarceration continuum. Additionally, Dr. Hart-Johnson serves as the vice president of the International Coalition for Children With Incarcerated Parents, a global network advocating for the well-being of children affected by parental incarceration worldwide.
Dr. Hart-Johnson's scholarly pursuits have garnered recognition in academic circles, with her research on the impact of incarceration on families and children in the United States and the United Kingdom being featured in scholarly publications, research journals, and textbooks. Currently, she authored and co-authored a series of children's books on explaining parental incarceration and an academic textbook on utilizing bibliotherapy for caregiver-child communication about incarceration.
Educationally, Dr. Hart-Johnson holds a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology, a Master of Science in Information Systems Management, and a Ph.D. in Human Services Counseling, from Walden University. She is pursuing a second Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Leadership, at an HBCU, Bowie State University. Her academic background, coupled with her extensive advocacy experience, positions her as a formidable force for positive change in her field. At the core of her endeavors lies a deep-seated commitment to healing and social transformation. Dr. Hart-Johnson sees herself as a conduit for healing, guided by a steadfast dedication to advocating for justice and empowerment for all individuals and communities.
In her recent address to the United Nations (April, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland), Dr. Hart-Johnson passionately advocated for the rights of preschool children of African descent in the United States who face criminalization and arrest in educational settings. She underscored the urgent need for systemic change to address the disproportionate targeting of these children, calling on the international community to uphold the rights of vulnerable youth and promote inclusive and trauma-responsive education practices. Dr. Hart-Johnson's advocacy at the global level exemplifies her tireless commitment to advancing social justice and creating a more equitable world for all.
PUBLICATIONS
Hart-Johnson, A., Johnson, G., & Hedrington-Jones, R. (2022). “Mommy, I Want to Talk to My Dad”: Exploring Parental Incarceration, Bibliotherapy, and Storybooks. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 10(11), 391-418.
Hart-Johnson, A., Johnson, G.& Tate, M. (2018). Prison staff who shape child and family visits: United Kingdom multiple case study. Contemporary research and analysis on the children of prisoners: Invisible children, 240-265.
Hart-Johnson, A. (2017). African American Women with Incarcerated Mates: The Psychological and Social Impacts of Mass Imprisonment. McFarland.
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2017). Gaining access to socially stigmatized samples. The Qualitative Report, 22(6), 1550.
Hart-Johnson, A. (2014). Symbolic imprisonment, grief, and coping theory: African American Women with Incarcerated Mates. Walden University.
Courses Taught
HUMN 8207 - Grant Writing
HUMN 9001 - HUMN-9001-76/COUN-8560-76/SOCW-9000-76-Dissertation2019 Fall Quarter 08/26-11/17-PT27
HUMN 6152 - Human Services Administration
Education
PhD, Walden University
MS, George Washington University
MS, Walden University
Public Service
DC Project Connect, Board of Directors - Washington
International Prisoner Familly Conference, Board Member - Dallas
Vice President: International Coalition of Children of Incarcerated Parents, Board of Directors - Manchester
Advocacy in Action Coalition, Chair - Dallas
ReThink Justice, Washington DC, Committee Member - Washington
Young Women’s Initiative Juvenile, Committee Member - Washington
Community Family Life Speakers' Bureau|Steering Committee, Committee Member - Washington
Presidential Inauguration , Volunteer - Washington
Internaltional Coalition of Children with Incarcerted Parents, Board of Directors -
Awards / Honors
2018 Outstanding Alumni , Walden University, 2018
Advocacy in Action Coalition Advocate Award, International Prisoner Family Conference, 2018
Tau Upsilon Alpha - Alpha Chi, Walden TUA, Alpha Chi Honor Society, 2018
Publications
Hart-johnson, A. M. (2022). Caregivers Family Relations Assessment and Communication Strategies (C-FRACS): Bibliotherapy Storybooks for Children with Incarcerated Parents. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
Hart-johnson, A. M. (2022). “Mommy, I Want to Talk to My Dad”: Exploring Parental Incarceration, Bibliotherapy, and Storybooks. Open Journal of Social Sciences
Hart-Johnson, A. M., Johnson, G. A. (2020). Prison Staff and Family Visits: United Kingdom Case Study. Humanities and Social Sciences
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2017). African American Women With Incarcerated Mates: The Psychological and Social Impacts Of Mass Imprisonment.
Hart-johnson, A. M. (2017). Gaining access to socially stigmatized samples. The Qualitative Report
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2019). Baby Star Finds Happy.
Hart-Johnson, A. (2017). PARENTAL INCARCERATION AND CHILDREN.
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2018). Advocacy for Children’s Rights: Physical Contact during Prison Visits.
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2017). Jamie's Big Visit: Grownup Timeout.
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2018). Prison Staff who Shape Child and Family Visits: United Kingdom Multiple Case Study .
Presentations
Hart-johnson, A. M. (2024). "Separation and Loss of Resources Due to the Generational Incarceration of Black Women”. Solitude International Research Consortium
Hart-Johnson, A. M., Benoliel, B., Johnson, G. A. (2018). A Qualitative Multiple Case Study: Prison Staff Philosophies, Practices, & Family Prison Visitation in the United Kingdom| NOHS, 2018. Walden University (RDS to be submitted)
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2016). Advocacy in Action Keynote Address. Self
Hart-Johnson, A. (2018). A Child’s Right: Visitation With An Incarcerated Parent. Arizona State University
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2015). Diversity through Inclusion: African American Women with Incarcerated Mates-The Silent Majority. Self
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2016). Family Healing During the Incarceration Crisis. DC Project Connect
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2017). From Victim to Advocate: Pathways to Empowerment. DC Project Connect
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2016). CSOSA . CSOSA
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2015). Diversity through Inclusion: African American Women with Incarcerated Mates-The Silent Majority. Self
Hart-Johnson, A., Johnson, G. (2018). Contemporary Research And Analysis. CBC
Hart-Johnson, A. (2018). From Victim to Advocate. WAR
Hart-Johnson, A. (2018). Vicarious Restorative Justice. WAR
Hart-Johnson, A. (2018). Mass Incarceration - The Faces. UNLV
Hart-Johnson, A. M., Garrison, T. (2018). The Color of Justice: Strengthening the Black Family. DC Project Connect
Hart-Johnson, A. M., Hedrington-Jones, R. A. (2020). Candid Parenting Conversations. Community Family Life Services
Hart-Johnson, A. M. (2020). Closing the Empathy Gap.