Lee Johnson III, Ph.D., is Senior Fellow for Early Childhood Education at the Southern Education Foundation (SEF) and directs the Southern Early Childhood Education Justice (SECEJ) Network, a regional coalition improving early learning across the South. He served as Vice President of Policy at the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), leading advocacy and research. He also served as Senior Policy Analyst at ZERO TO THREE, advancing federal early childhood mental health investments. Dr. Johnson held director roles in Alabama’s Department of Early Childhood Education, directing the state’s home visiting program and expanding early childhood mental health. He holds degrees in early childhood education and public health.