Dejia Marie James is Director of Policy Advancement and Media with PPG. She is a native Buffalonian whose family emigrated to the city from Havana, Cuba in the 1960s. As a Black feminist and African American/Afro-Cuban, she is dedicated to advocating for underrepresented communities and creating autonomous spaces for constructive support of marginalized peoples.

Her areas of focus are member engagement, public affairs, and local, state, and national community relations, specializing in developing content and storytelling that has advanced inclusive citizenship and advocacy for racial equity. She is proficient in understanding the New York State legislative process, the role of lobbying, developing sustainable pathways for leadership, access to resources, and shaping narrative.

Dejia Marie received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a minor in Spanish from SUNY Geneseo, where she completed her Spanish studies in Quito, Ecuador.

Prior to PPG, Dejia Marie worked closely on immigration advocacy, refugee resettlement, and childcare small business training through a program developed by Childcare Resource Network and Journey's End Refugee Services. She also coordinated for racial equity initiatives at a local foundation.