Desiree Jones-Matthias (she/her) is an African Nova Scotian woman from the historical Black community of Upper Hammonds Plains. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Law and Society. She graduated from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University in 2020 and was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2022. She articled with Nova Scotia Legal Aid prior to joining the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) in July 2022. Her practice focuses on criminal defence, human rights and social/racial justice policy reform. Her work at ANSJI is centered in increasing access to justice for Black and African Nova Scotian clients in need of legal services. Desiree is skilled in written and court advocacy, client relations, research and project development. Desiree maintains a small independent consulting practice providing research, writing, policy reform and development, strategic planning and other related services to non-profit organizations.