Joi Chatman is a passionate advocate for social justice, equity, and inclusion, deeply committed to empowering marginalized communities. Her work centers on bridging the gap between expertise and the art and science of human connection. A certified TN Rule 31 Civil and Family Mediator and conflict coach, Joi brings a wealth of experience to her roles as an American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section former Fellow and current liaison with the Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice. Her appointment to the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence underscores her dedication to creating safer, more inclusive communities through education, advocacy, and compassionate communication.
Joi holds an MBA from Belmont University and extensive training in victim advocacy. Joi's expertise spans a wide range of areas, including Victim-Sensitive Victim-Offender Dialogue (VOD), and training for victims of mass violence or domestic terrorism. She also holds certifications from the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) Advanced Skills Institutes in Trauma-Informed Organizations and Advanced Trainer techniques, and the TN Coalition's Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy.
Having personally survived life-altering brain surgery, Joi intimately understands the power of effective communication in navigating challenges and fostering healing. Her trauma-informed approach is evident in her focus on supporting survivors through storytelling and authentic self-expression. Joi is passionate about making conflict resolution more approachable and accessible for everyone, emphasizing trauma-informed care and neurodivergent communication processes. She is committed to normalizing disability accessibility and amplifying marginalized voices in her work.