Shonnell (she/her) graduated from Ramapo College in the state of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and studies in the area of Substance Abuse. She later worked as a family service expert for the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, where she spent more than 20 years ensuring the stability and safety of NJ’s most vulnerable children and families. Shonnell accepted the position of a public servant to her community as a supervisory family support specialist and started to perceive herself as more than just a state employee.

Shonnell, a Fairleigh Dickinson University alumna, has been able to advocate for practices and policies that are based on transformational leadership among peers and coworkers by using her master’s degree in public administration. This collaboration backed the notion of empowering individuals to act as change agents in their surroundings.

Shonnell received the opportunity to enroll in Monmouth University’s Masters of Social Work Program in September 2019. Shonnell wrote for NASW Focus magazine while she was a student at Monmouth University, covering social justice concerns affecting black and brown communities. Shonnell began working for Global Foundation for Girls in 2020 as an intern who contributed to the creation of the “Brown Girl Stigma Series” before joining the organization as a consultant, content writer, and developer. In 2023, Shonnell graduated from Monmouth University with a degree in social justice.

Curiosity inspires Shonnell to answer the metaphysical question, “What are you becoming?”. She brings this perspective on growth and spiritual health as she works towards the evolution of herself and others.
In her free time, Shonnell exercises her thoughts as a freelance writer, researcher, youth activist, and webinar trainer.