Dr. DaVonti’ DeAngelo Haynes
DaVonti’ is an educator, strategist, researcher, evaluator, and community builder focused on supporting urban and rural communities. His work bridges education, workforce, and community development, with a special commitment to supporting youth-focused efforts in both city neighborhoods and rural communities.
DaVonti’ work alongside communities and organizations to gather research and data to develop and build strategies that leads to action and communal progress. Whether teaching in the classroom, consulting with nonprofits, or advising on youth engagement, he brings a unique blend of lived experience and cross-sector insight.
Through his work, DaVonti’ has worked with urban, rural, and Appalachian communities throughout Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Louisiana, Maryland, Washington D.C., and Alaska.
At his core, he’s a community-centered, family-oriented, advocate here to uplift and champion youth and young people, create space for bold strategies, and support our communities to ensure they don’t just survive—they thrive.
DaVonti’ is the founder of Re/val Strategies and the 501(c)3, Faces of Access. He currently serves as an associate professor at Wayne State University and has previously worked at Temple University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and The Ohio State University.
A proud Midwestern native and first-generation college graduate, DaVonti’ has dedicated his professional and personal life to exploring the complex systems that shape the experiences of youth, particularly those who are disconnected from key societal institutions like education and the workforce. Born in Detroit, Michigan, and educated in the Detroit Public Schools and Cleveland Metropolitan School District, DaVonti’s upbringing instilled in him a deep commitment to public education and a passion for addressing the inequities that affect marginalized communities, many of which he experienced firsthand.
As one of seven siblings, DaVonti’ understands the profound impact that family and community can have on a person's trajectory. This personal experience fuels his research, which seeks to uncover the nuanced ways in which systems and policies influence the lived experiences of urban and rural youth, as well as the communities they reside in. His work is not just an academic pursuit; it is a mission driven by his lived experiences and his desire to create environments where all young people can thrive.
After graduating high school from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, DaVonti’ continued his academic journey at The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in public affairs with a specialization in education policy, followed by a Master of Social Work with a focus on children and youth services, a Master of Science in agricultural communication, education, and leadership, and a Ph.D. in the same field with a specialization in educational administration and an interdisciplinary minor in public policy and management.
His research focuses on community dynamics with respect to college access, workforce development, and youth disconnection. His work aims to inform and influence policy, programming, and institutional practices to create more opportunities and pathways for youth and young people. His research is grounded in an interdisciplinary framework that integrates public policy, social work, community engagement, and educational theories.
DaVonti’ has developed and implemented numerous programs in partnership with institutions of higher education, K-12 school districts, and community partners; conducted research on youth experiencing disconnection; and partnered with local social service providers, nonprofits, and public and private organizations with the goal of leveling the playing field for all youth.
In addition to the nonprofit, Faces of Access, DaVonti' is the founder of Re/val Strategies a mission-driven consulting firm that partners with nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and public institutions to develop strategies, evaluate programs, and design data-informed solutions rooted in community voice and impact.
As a scholar-practitioner, DaVonti’ is committed to creating sustainable youth and community development programs and policies. His work has earned him numerous awards and recognitions, reflecting his dedication to educational and opportunity justice. Through his research and community engagement, DaVonti’ continues to ask how institutions of higher education can more effectively and equitably support urban and rural youth in achieving their full potential, ensuring that all young people have the opportunity to succeed.
