Dr. Manijeh Hart

Dr. Manijeh Hart is an educational consultant, youth advocate, entrepreneur, poet and author. After graduating from Howard University with a BS in Psychology, she moved to Queens, New York to become a full-time elementary special education teacher earning an MA in Teaching from Queens College. During her time as an elementary school teacher, she led initiatives to bridge the gap between schools, parents, and the community. 

Understanding the impact of ecological systems on youth, she has always advocated for a holistic and youth-centered approach to youth development. After 14 years, she left the classroom to pursue trauma-informed and healing-centered practices that support the whole child, their families, and the communities in which they live. In 2021, Dr. Hart created alignedwire–a copper and crystal healing jewelry business to offer products and services for anyone who is seeking a holistic approach to health and wellness. Her own journey with crystal healing started in 2019, when she began using crystals to heal her mind, body, and spirit. Each piece in the collection is designed to balance and activate the chakra system while promoting spiritual and physical transformation. Dr. Hart leads workshops for youth and adults to teach them about crystals and the art of wire-wrapping as they create one-of-a-kind pieces.

In addition to creating jewelry, Dr. Hart has also authored and self-published an affirmational children’s book series entitled, Healing Heroes. Healing Heroes is a series that promotes positive self-beliefs through crystal healing and daily affirmations.With alignedwire and Healing Heroes, she aims to raise spiritual health awareness and remind others of their inner light. 

In January 2020, Dr. Hart joined City Univerisity of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies as an adjunct lecturer in the Youth Studies department where she teaches Intro to Youth Development and Transformative Justice & Young People. She is also the program coordinator for the Summer College & Career Intensive where she leads a team to support high school graduates in connecting with youth at their SYEP sites while developing college-readiness skills. 

She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Hart’s research interests lie in culturally-relevant, culturally-responsive, and culturally-sensitive environments and pedagogy.