About Mr. Viney
An Educator Since Birth
L-Mani S. Viney is national thought leader in education, mentoring and youth advocacy.
You can say education runs through his veins. He comes from a lineage of legendary public school educators including his mother (who currently still teaches), father, aunts and uncles. So it was only natural that he would join the profession but there was something, greater than just lineage, that drove him to become an educator.
The DNA of Jersey City
Growing up as a teenager in Jersey City during the 1980’s, he was a witness to the impact that drug addiction, poverty and AIDS had on his community, especially friends and family. He saw how this impacted the lives of those close to him. These life experiences became driving force behind his strong desire to make difference in the lives of the youth. Since making this commitment to the educational profession in 1996 he has continued to dedicate his life to this work.
Teaching Beyond the Classroom
Starting out teaching in Georgia and then Newark, NJ it wouldn’t be until the fall of 1998, when he joined the staff of Piscataway High School in New Jersey that he would make his mark. Entering into his 22nd year in the district, he was a teacher of Social Studies for 21 years. During the time he was credited with the curriculum creation and instruction of the African American History course and unique programming such as the Black History Month Film Festival. Beyond the classroom he wanted to address the need for mentoring in the district. This led to the creation of the 50 Strong Peer Mentoring program to which he still remains as director.
Though he loved the classroom he always felt there was a need to do more for more students beyond those he taught. In January of 2020 he would leave the classroom to become Dean of Students for the high school, a role he continues to serve in today. Yet this commitment to youth extends beyond his work in the educational sector and into the mentoring field.
The 24/7 Mentor
Outside of the school system he is the Director of the Jersey City Kappa League. The Kappa League is a youth leadership program for young men of color. In addition, he is the past executive director of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation and also served as the fraternity’s National Guide Right Chairman, transforming its core program, Kappa League, into the largest youth leadership program for African American boys and boys of color in America.
His commitment to youth has garnered him numerous speaking engagements, awards and opportunities. He was the 2006 NJ Amistad Teacher of the Year for the development and instruction of the African American history curriculum. 2012 Piscataway High School Teacher of the Year. In 2017 he was recognized at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Partner of the Year for his leadership in Kappa Alpha Psi just to name a few.
Achievement In Every Field of Human Endeavor
He has spoken for numerous organizations such as MENTOR, the Congressional Black Caucus, National Association of College Admissions Association, the NEA, College Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, National Council of Black Studies, the American Psychological Association, the Campaign for Black Male Achievement and the Obama Foundation’s My Brothers Keeper initiative.
He is a graduate of Boston College, Class of 1996, and in 2018 decided to go back to school and received his master’s in educational leadership from Montclair State University. Though committed to education, his first and main priority is his family. He is currently married to his wife of 18 years, Deidra Viney and has two children Lorenzo, 15 and
Dana 10. .