Deja Kemp-Salliey
“I feel very fortunate to work for an organization that strives to do good in the world."
At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), we're not just an organization; we're a team of individuals committed to making New Jersey a better place to live and work. Among our remarkable team, there's one standout worthy of being VLJ’s October 2023 Defender of Justice: Deja Kemp-Salliey. Deja joined VLJ this March as our newest Development Associate, and in such a short period of time she has made her mark.
As VLJ’s Development Associate, Deja's responsibilities are as diverse as they are essential. She plays a pivotal role in planning VLJ’s major fundraising events, including The Long Drive for Justice and Arts & Eats for Justice annual gala. Her duties also encompass helping to kick off VLJ’s GivingTuesday and year-end giving campaigns, managing grants, fostering relationships with VLJ’s Board of Trustees as well as handling communications, social media, and even graphic design. Deja is also the driving force behind providing administrative support to VLJ’s leadership team.
For Deja, VLJ is more than just a workplace: it's her first "big girl" job post-graduation (Deja earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Pace University in 2022). She notes the welcoming and flexible atmosphere at VLJ and contrasts it with her friends' experiences in less supportive work places. Over the last several months, Deja has experienced tremendous personal and professional growth, all the while achieving numerous milestones. Deja’s progress illustrates not only her commitment to continuous self-improvement but to VLJ’s mission and the clients we serve.
In fact, Deja believes she ended up at VLJ for a reason—not to be cliché about everything happening for a reason—but to pave her own path toward the future. She's considering attending law school, where she can use her connections at VLJ to seek strong mentors. Deja encapsulates her experience at VLJ with, "I feel very fortunate to work for an organization that strives to do good in the world."
Even Deja's mother has been touched by VLJ's mission, having joined Deja for VLJ’s recent annual gala on October 3. Deja’s mother remarked that she found herself surrounded by people who were using their legal skills to make the world a better place, and she was particularly moved by the gala client speaker who highlighted how VLJ and its staff transformed his life. It was a night that left Deja’s mother feeling immersed in good people, impact, and even more proud of her daughter (we second the feeling, mom!)
When she's not busy helping VLJ harness the power of pro bono to change lives, Deja enjoys thrifting for vintage clothes, practicing yoga, and exploring the vibrant nightlife of New York City. While originally from Montclair, Deja sees herself living in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future, embracing the city's diverse culture and opportunities.
Deja Kemp-Salliey is a shining example of the incredible staff who make Volunteer Lawyers for Justice the powerful force for good that it is. Her journey with us is just beginning, and we can't wait to see the change she continues to bring to VLJ and the community. Thank you, Deja, for the dedicated and compassionate way you ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty!
Connect with Deja on LinkedIn