Dré Finley is a scholar-activist, restorative practitioner, and creative visionary committed to cultivating spaces of joy, healing, and transformation. With roots in Buffalo, New York, and a deep commitment to youth empowerment, Dré has spent the last decade working at the intersections of education, identity, and liberation. His work spans higher education, intergroup dialogue, and the performing and written arts—always centering marginalized voices and reimagining what thriving looks like for our communities.

A proud alum of Colgate University with degrees in Sociology & Anthropology and Women’s Studies, Dré earned his M.S.Ed. in Cultural Foundations of Education and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Women and Gender Studies from Syracuse University. He currently serves as the Inaugural Dialogue Facilitator at Williams College, where he facilitates campus-wide initiatives rooted in restorative practices, equity, connection, and transformation for the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Dré’s leadership extends well beyond campus: he serves on several institutional equity committees and the Board of Directors for 18 Degrees, a nonprofit community-based organization dedicated to supporting children and families across Western Massachusetts.

Also a spoken word artist and musician, Dré brings his whole self to every space: heart, humor, and harmony. A lover of 90s R&B, gospel, and jazz, he believes in the power of rhythm and resistance to move communities forward.

He reminds us that “When passion meets desire… change happens.” 

9/17/22 – Everyone Wants to Belong: Being an Advocate, Activist, and Accomplice – Charles Vogl, Author

10/15/22 – Representation & Inclusion in Our School Curriculums – Rodney Glasgow, Head of School

11/19/22 – Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Diversity in Our Schools – Schuyler Bailar, Educator, Author, Advocate

1/7/23 – Religious and Spiritual Diversity in Our Schools – Jason Craige Harris, Educator and Facilitator

2/11/23 – Promoting Free Speech and Equality Values – Olatunde Johnson, Legal Scholar

3/11/23 – Banned Books in School – Christine Emeran, Youth Free Expression Director, NCAC

4/22/23 – Young Leaders and Advocates Make a Difference – Ali Michael, Facilitator and Writer

5/13/23 – Celebrating Advocacy: Shining Light on Artists – King David, Artist

10/9/21 – Teen Pollyanna Kick-Off – Jason Craige Harris, facilitator

11/6/21 – Civic Engagement – DeNora Getachew, CEO dosomething.org

12/11/21 – DEIB Work at our Schools – Erica Corbin, Head of School

1/22/22 – Contributions of Others – Marianne Macrae, Robin Hood Foundation

2/12/22 – Be an Advocate, Ally, Activist – Semeka Smith-Williams, DEI Practitioner

3/5/22 – Having Difficult Conversations – Megan Hogan, Chief Diversity Officer Goldman Sachs

4/9/22 – Pledge Projects –  Scott Warren, Specialist at USAID

5/14/22 – Reflecting and Planning – Bill Konigsberg, author