bio

Ms. Juliet Doris a native of Chicago graduated from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs in 2015, earning a Master’s Degree of Social Work. Her research focused on at-risk youth and families. A true “Double Bruin,” she also earned her Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA in the Interdepartmental Program in Afro-African American Studies with a minor in Women Studies. Juliet has conducted research on Womyn of color and their contemporary experiences in the United States using political theories on intersectionality as her basis of inquiry. Her research also considers domestic, state, discursive, and gendered violence associated with state-sponsored institutions. 

In 2015, Juliet founded her 1st program for young women and teenage mothers named Mentoring Young Ladies Across The Nation (MYLAN), which analyzes how women of color are making the aforementioned forms of violence visible, and developing strategies for resistance and organizing, while creating social change. Juliet assisted the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) Buddy Day for UCLA, which allowed over sixty young women from urban communities the opportunity to be a UCLA student for a day, while exposing them to higher education.

Juliet is currently a social worker and through current non-profit Baggin’ Jays N Degrees (BJND) continues to create solidarity and social justice. Ultimately, Juliet hopes BJND will eradicate the scars of deficit stereotypes that perpetuate systems of inequality overwhelmingly effecting disenfranchised populations. Juliet’s commitment to community activism has been long standing.  Within the last few years, she was invited to sit on panels with powerful leaders and community activist such as COO of the LA Sparks Christine Simmons and Youlonda Copeland-Morgan Associate Vice Chancellor Enrollment Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. Additionally, Juliet has shared her educational journey through her invaluable hardships, triumphs and feats and has also given multiple campus tours, and has spoken to thousands of studentsabout pursuing higher education.

BJND

Baggin’ Jays N Degrees (BJND) a 5013c sole purpose is to improve the poor graduation rate and assist underachieving students that reside in socioeconomically challenged neighborhoods throughout high schools in Carson, Compton, Inglewood, Pasadena and South Los Angeles (urban areas). One of BJND main objectives is to become the liaison for UC alumni’s and motivated mentees who want to pursue higher education. And to connect the University of California Los Angeles community with an energetic group of students who reside twenty minutes away in South Los Angeles. BJND focal point will be to increase the admission of local high school students into the UC system. BJND will organize mentoring sessions at local high schools and plan fieldtrips for students toattend “Buddy Day” at UCLA and other UC campuses in order to expose them to broader visual and alternatives. BJND represents the voices of our communities in spaces where somehave only read or dreamt about.

Too many of our youth today are enamored with misguided media icons, and personalities who openly present a very negative view on education. What is portrayed to our youth is that success is not measured by what you know, but by what you have and who you know. Thus, as educators, parents, community leasers and funders, we must combine our efforts and become one voice for all youth regardless of income, race or gender. We cannot hold each other responsible for the pathologies destroying our communities. We must become part of the answer.