Dina Thompson is the Executive Director and a founding member of Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition. She has been an adjunct instructor at the University at Buffalo in the Department of Social Work for nine years. Dina is a graduate of Hilbert College in Buffalo, NY, and the International Institute of Restorative Practices in Bethlehem, PA, where she earned a Master’s Certificate and license in Restorative Practice. Additionally, she has certifications in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, is a certified Practitioner of Healing Centered Engagement, and completed training in Advanced Mind-body Medicine approaches. This speaks to her passion and activism for racial healing, justice, and equity for marginalized communities.

Dina serves her community as a social justice advocate using the principles and practices of Restorative Justice Practice to address and heal the impacts of systemic and institutional inequalities and build communities where everyone can live, work, play, and thrive.

Dina and her team have successfully helped implement Restorative Practices in several school districts across the Western New York Region, thereby reducing negative responses to challenging behavior and increasing positive school culture and connection. Through her leadership and partnerships, Dina has aided in creating several juvenile justice diversion programs for youth in our criminal justice system. Dina assists in training and leading monthly restorative conversations to address the past and present harms of racism, privilege, and implicit bias, and has coordinated Restorative Justice Day in Buffalo for the past four years.

Dina Thompson is a lifelong native of Buffalo, wife, and mother of three. She loves hanging out with family and friends. Her hobbies are running, gardening, cooking, and doing anything outdoors. What gets her excited is working with youth, seeing them smile, and hearing them laugh is heaven.