MEET YOUR PEER EDUCATOR

Destiny N. Thomas, MPA, PhD, JD

A native of Oakland, California, Dr. Destiny Thomas is the founder and CEO of Thrivance Group, a socially responsible urban planning company. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fisk University (2006), a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Health and Non-Profit Management from Tennessee State University (2008), a Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (2016), and a JD from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, Dr. Thomas has nearly 20 years of experience in developing equitable systems within governmental and non-profit sectors. In 2020, Dr. Thomas’s work was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America.

More recently, under the executive direction of President Joe Biden, Dr. Thomas was appointed by Secretary Buttigieg to the Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity (ACTE). Dr. Thomas is currently expanding her scope of services through an umbrella organization, the Thrivance Institute for Holistic Advocacy. This will be a multi-regional hub for wrap-around advocacy. The vision TIHA incorporates 1) permanent free housing for institutionalized people, 2) a warm connection referral service for people navigating the criminal justice system, 3) community-led policy advocacy, 4) engagement activities that fortify a sense of belonging in neighborhoods, and 5) a research think-tank that reports reparative efforts.

Dr. Thomas’ approach integrates dignity-infused community engagement, participatory governance, racial equity, gender studies, and anti-displacement strategies. Dr. Thomas is recognized for her commitment to servant leadership and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated