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Ra'nyah Douglas

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Bio

Hi, my name is Ra’nyah Douglas! I am a resourceful and dedicated second-year BA/JD dual degree student at the illustrious Howard University. With excellent analytical skills and a demonstrated commitment to making an impact, I possess strong communication and problem-solving abilities, all with a compassionate approach toward becoming an Attorney with a passion for reform & advocacy. I am adept at collaborating with legal professionals and community organizations to facilitate effective rehabilitation programs.

Education

Howard University

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Criminology
  • Minors:
    • Political Science and Government
    • Communication, General

Wilbur Cross High School

High School
2019 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Criminology
    • Law
    • Political Science and Government
    • Communication, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Legal Services

    • Dream career goals:

      Criminal Attorney with a focus in Advocacy & Reform

    • Juvenile Probation Summer Intern

      Superior Court for Juvenile Matters (New Haven, CT)
      2024 – 2024
    • Fall Student

      School to Prison Pipeline Class
      2024 – 2024
    • Fall Intern

      Students for Voting Justice
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Owner

      Yummi Luxe Treats
      2018 – Present6 years
    • Dining Associate

      Whitney Center
      2021 – Present3 years
    • Per Diem Banquet Server

      Yale University
      2022 – Present2 years

    Sports

    Cheerleading

    Varsity
    2022 – 20231 year

    Awards

    • Certificate of Appreciation

    Softball

    Varsity
    2021 – 2021

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Black Women Pre-Law — Member
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Nation Drill Squad & Drum Corp — Coach
      2021 – 2023
    • Advocacy

      Black Girls Vote — Member
      2023 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Elm Village Inc. — Guest Speaker
      2023 – 2023
    • Advocacy

      Yale New Haven Hospital — Summer Virtual Career Awareness Program
      2021 – 2021
    • Volunteering

      Soup Kitchen —
      2023 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      Wilbur Cross High School — Assisted in passing out turkeys to students.
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Lisette Agosto, Social Worker — Social Worker Assistant
      2022 – 2023
    • Advocacy

      Girls Empowerment Summit — Featured Presenter
      2022 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    King Jay Foundation Scholarship
    Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The government and society cannot think of themselves as separate. What one group does affect others, and what one does will eventually affect the other. We must act for each other, not only ourselves. Youth need people in the community who can meet them at their level but also hold them accountable. They need people who are willing to educate themselves on juvenile laws and the justice system so that they can use that knowledge not only to teach but advocate for the youth in our community to make changes. If we can come together to provide programs such as anti-crime programs, job opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and education programs it can help increase positive youth engagement and decrease the violence rate. Throughout my teenage years, I have seen many of my friends spend most of their childhood incarcerated due to being a participant in youth violence. I always ask them, “Why do you choose to live your life this way?” The most common response I have gotten was “Nobody cares or understands” or “It’s too late, I’m too deep in.” The system fails minorities. Juvenile minorities need more leaders who will provide them with more resources mentally, psychically, and emotionally. Our system needs more leaders who believe in reform, this has encouraged me to want to be a juvenile counselor who runs a juvenile anti-crime program. As the justice system continues to fail and overlook minorities, studying Criminology at Howard will help me propose a strong solution to stop youth violence. Howard's Criminology program will provide me with the utmost education that will benefit me in becoming a strong advocate for turning around the lives of troubled juveniles. Howard’s courses will be the ground steps to propose a solution while my anti-crime program will correct the issue. Running an anti-crime program as a juvenile counselor will ensure that I have the skill level to offer assistance, support, and direction to youths and their families. Counselors give life guidance by teaching youth how to deal with issues, alter negative thought patterns and actions, and focus their energy more positively. The challenge is that so many community members work against each other instead of coming together. Community leaders and the justice system can strengthen their collaboration by using respect, accountability, communication, healing, and empathy (understanding) in a criminal justice process through the victim, defendant, and families. This has shaped me to be one, but not move as one; move as a whole.
    Ed and Flora Pellegri Scholarship
    Throughout my teenage years, I have seen my brother being driven to the street life which led him to be “raised” by the system. I always ask him, “Why do you choose to live your life this way?” The most common response I have gotten was “Nobody cares or understands” or “It’s too late, I’m too deep in.” Although my brother isn’t my biological father, the older I got he was the closest thing I had as a father. Seeing my brother lose his freedom to the streets has affected me mentally and physically. As a child I have always been interested in the legal field so shows such as 60 Days In and Jailbirds sparked my interest. Watching these shows made me worry about my brother, these shows demonstrated that jails aren’t safe at all! Until it was then my doctor recommended that I not watch these types of shows because it was part of triggering and causing my post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Institutes of Health(.gov), “Children with a parent in prison may experience low self-esteem, depression, disturbed sleeping patterns and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. In a North American study, separation from a parent through imprisonment was found to be more detrimental to a child's well-being than divorce or the death of a parent.” My brother’s life of imprisonment started at a young age. The system fails minorities. Juvenile minorities need more leaders who will provide them with more resources mentally, psychically, and emotionally. Our system needs more leaders who believe in reform, this has encouraged me to want to be a juvenile counselor. A juvenile counselor offers assistance, support, and direction to youths and their families. Counselors give life guidance by teaching youth how to deal with issues, alter negative thought patterns and actions, and focus their energy more positively. Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The government and society cannot think of themselves as separate. What one group does affect others, and what one does will eventually affect the other. We must act for each other, not only ourselves. Youth need people in the community who can meet them at their level but also hold them accountable. They need people who are willing to educate themselves on juvenile laws and the justice system so that they can use that knowledge not only to teach but advocate for the youth in our community to make changes. We can come together to provide programs such as anti-crime programs, job opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and education programs which can help increase positive youth engagement and decrease the crime rate. The challenge is that so many community members work against each other instead of coming together. This has shaped me to be one but not move as one and to move as a whole. Community leaders and the justice system can strengthen their collaboration by using respect, accountability, communication, healing, and empathy (understanding) in a criminal justice process through the victim, defendant, and families.