Jason Q. Purnell is a professor of psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976.
His mom, Betty Purnell, was a teacher at Pierre Laclede Elementary School, now Pierre Laclede Junior Career Academy. The principal at the time was Buella Brooks, and she was like a grandmother to him. His mom demanded excellence from her students and son when she was a teacher. He once was sitting on his mother’s lap and had an accident, right in the middle of school.
After graduating from Saint Louis University High School, he went to Harvard University to get his bachelor’s degree in government and philosophy. He earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Rochester and a PhD in counseling psychology from Ohio State University. He did not stop school until he was in what he called “the 23rd grade.”
He is married with two children, ages 6 and 8. His wife Amanda works for the St. Louis VA Medical Center as an innovation specialist.
Purnell went to school so he could research ways to help young people and make a difference in their lives.
“I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected,” he said. “I had a truly blessed childhood and wonderful parents. I want every child to grow up loved, supported, and prepared for all of the opportunities that life holds for them.”
He is currently working on building a health program that is called For the Sake of All, dedicated to “improving the health and well-being of African Americans in St. Louis
and why it matters for everyone.” For more information, visit https://forthesakeofall.org.
Academy Journalism is a partnership between The St. Louis American and St. Louis Public Schools founded by DaMaris White, principal of Pierre Laclede Junior Career Academy, where Megan M. O’Brien runs the program with a staff of volunteers organized by The American.
