Dr. Shaniqua Jones

Dr. Shaniqua Jones is a Global Leader and Restorative Justice Practitioner, Expert. Affectionately known as Dr. J, she is recognized for her brilliant ability to connect deeply with those who have been harmed and those who have caused harm through Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices. Dr. J has been called upon to remove barriers that alienate and dehumanize people from all walks of life.

Jones completed her doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership, specializing in Higher Education, in May of 2016. She has a diverse background in academics. What separates Dr. Jones from her peers is her uncanny ability to infuse her personal and professional experiences, allowing her to connect genuinely and have profound empathy for the people she serves.

In 2018, Dr. Jones was honored as a 40 Under 40 rising leader in the Young Women’s Professional League Chicago for her industry expertise and leadership. The global speaker founded the Purple Path for-profit organization in the spring of the following year. The organization provides sustainable and tangible resources, building competencies, relationships, and social capital in deserving communities.

Recently, Dr. Jones served as Director of Community Engagement and Diversity Programs at Trinity Christian College, where she provided opportunities to discuss matters of the heart related to diversity and social justice by utilizing Restorative Practices. She mentored students through academic preparation and spiritual formation while advising them in service across the country.

Dr. J has solidified herself as an effective leader with significant momentum, serving as a Restorative Justice Trainer for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement and being appointed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education to the Whole Child Task Force in 2021. That same year, she accepted a one-year assignment as the Restorative Justice Facilitator for the MacArthur Foundation – Just Imperative Working Group, focusing on healing and resilience. Dr. Jones also serves as Chief Educational Officer for Touch Gift Foundation.

As a Restorative Justice Coordinator – Dean of Students at Chicago Collegiate Charter School, Dr. J implemented foundational Restorative Justice training in churches, schools, community organizations, and government agencies, including the Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. She served as a consultant-to-District Coordinator of Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices with Thornton Township High Schools District 205 for four years, ending her residency in 2022. With a global platform, as the founder of Purple Path and Jones Academy of Excellence, Dr. Jones has educated and served thousands of students, parents, guardians, educators, and organizations through her work rooted in Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices. In Spring 2024, she fulfilled her professional dream as a TEDx Speaker.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Jones is a dedicated wife and mother of five biological children, an author of 13 awe-inspiring works, and a fierce advocate for health equity and caregiving. As a caregiver to her husband, who has been on a long journey of healing and recovery, she has developed a deep, personal understanding of the challenges caregivers face, particularly the emotional and physical toll of supporting a loved one with complex health needs. Her experiences navigating healthcare systems and advocating for holistic wellness, accessibility, and the reduction of social isolation have fueled her mission to ensure that communities—especially those often overlooked—have equitable access to the care, support, and resources they deserve.

Through Chicago Integrated Health (CIH) and Purple Path, Dr. J is actively working to dismantle systemic health disparities by creating safe spaces for healing, community engagement, and access to critical resources for families, caregivers, and underserved populations. She believes that caregiving is an act of service and social justice, and she continues to use her expertise to amplify conversations around the intersection of restorative practices, caregiving, and health equity.

When she isn’t impacting lives and transforming communities, you can find Dr. J sporting her favorite gym shoes, a reflection of her commitment to staying grounded and always being ready to walk alongside those in need.