Jonathan Conyers

Jonathan Conyers is an acclaimed author, producer, community advocate, and healthcare professional whose life and work exemplify resilience, service, and transformative storytelling. A native New Yorker, Jonathan attended Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem, where he joined a debate class during his freshman lunch period. Now, as co-founder and Director of Community Outreach for the Brooklyn Debate League (BDL), a nonprofit committed to bringing Speech and Debate to at-risk and historically marginalized communities, Jonathan continues the educational legacy of his own after-school experiences, passing down skills and opportunities to future generations. 

Jonathan is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, a certification in Polysomnographic Studies, and a minor in Writing. Beyond his creative and philanthropic work, he serves as a respiratory therapist specializing in neonatal and pediatric care at NYU Langone Health and worked on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, performing life-saving work for fellow New Yorkers. 

During his time with the BDL, Jonathan has helped students launch debate teams, compete at local and national tournaments, qualify for State and National championships, and participate in intensive summer debate institutes. In 2022, he was featured in a Humans of New York series that went viral; Jonathan spotlighted BDL alongside his own story, helping raise $1.3 million in support of the organization. His impact has been recognized by the New York Times, the Washington Post, and national television programs, and BDL is currently producing a documentary highlighting the transformative power of debate education. 

Jonathan founded Conyers Media, a production company dedicated to elevating underrepresented voices through film and digital media. Through Conyers Media, he has created multiple podcasts and is producing film, television, and documentary projects that foster healing, accountability, and social change. He also authored the memoir I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here (Hachette Book Group, Legacy Lit), about survival, voice, and transformation. In the winter of 2028, his highly anticipated graphic novel, I AM ONE OF YOU (HarperCollins, HarperAlley), is set to hit stores worldwide. 

Jonathan has spent his life supporting, educating, and creating for his community, and he continues to build a future rooted in service, storytelling, and lasting community impact.