Founders
Dr. LéJon Payne
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Dr. LéJon Payne has an extensive career in education, having served in various capacities across public, private, and charter schools, as well as in postgraduate studies. Her roles have ranged from classroom teacher to principal, with significant contributions to Maker Education, STEM education, technology integration, community partnerships, and professional development for educators. During her tenure as Principal at Sequoia Elementary in the Oakland Unified School District, she implemented school-wide programs and fostered strong community partnerships. Under her leadership, the school received the Raise the Bar Award for significant gains in literacy among Latino students. As Assistant Principal at KIPP Bridge Academy, she was instrumental in mentoring teachers, enhancing student learning through innovative instructional strategies, and leading the STEM department.
Internationally, Dr. Payne has made significant strides as the Education Manager at GEMS Education in Dubai, UAE, where she managed large-scale educational projects and collaborated with Harvard University on professional development initiatives. Her work in integrating educational technologies through simulation and virtual reality, and managing corporate partnerships has left a lasting impact on the global educational landscape.
Ordained as an Itinerant Deacon at Brookins African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oakland, CA, Dr. Payne has dedicated her life to ministry and community service. She has served as a minister, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and outreach leader and coordinator, organizing youth conferences, fundraisers, and outreach ministries. Her leadership was pivotal in the historic election of the first A.M.E. African American Female Bishop, Vashti McKenzie.
Dr. Payne's spiritual outreach extends beyond local communities. As the Co-Founder and International Service Organizer for the Art of Confidence Foundation, she has coordinated service projects in Nairobi, Kenya, and developed financial literacy programs benefiting members in the States and abroad. Her work in performing arts and financial education has empowered countless youth and fostered international alliances.
Shanequa Dasher
Shanequa Dasher, MEd, is the ultimate creative educator. She has been an educator for over two decades, and has passion for working with creative students. She resides in Atlanta, GA and is the mother of an 11 and 7 year old(Kayla and Kyler). In 2011 she integrated her love for the Arts with education and became a full time educator and entrepreneur as a co-founder of The Art of Confidence Foundation.
Shanequa has always had a passion to discover new and creative ways to teach standards-based education. Having learned how to sew at the age of 5, she took her love for crafting and sewing and created the curriculum for the S.T.E.A.M based program, Calculate and Create. This program has allowed her to teach math based crafting classes for after school programs, in-school field trips, as well as virtual classes and parties. Her mission is to create a love and understanding for the necessity of math in both the arts, and everyday life. The Calculate and Create program concept served as inspiration for her bestselling math fiction children’s book and activity workbook “2x2=1 and I’m DONE,” which is now in homes across the globe.
In her spare time Shanequa enjoys international travel, shopping, crafting, and singing karaoke. Shanequa’s passion for the power of educational integration with the arts is a strong component of her mission to build confidence in each and every parent and child she has the opportunity to impact. Shanequa prides herself in providing one-of-a-kind, quality content that educates, inspires, and entertains through creativity.
At The Art of Confidence Foundation, we are committed to the belief that every individual has the capability to embrace their identity, shape their destiny, and make a meaningful impact on the world.