Hobbies and interests
Cheerleading
Advocacy And Activism
Criminology
Dance
Reading
Juvenile
Law
Social Issues
Ra'nyah Douglas
1,195
Bold Points1x
FinalistRa'nyah Douglas
1,195
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
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 programMajors:
- Criminology
Minors:
- Political Science and Government
- Communication, General
Wilbur Cross High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
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
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 – 2024Fall Student
School to Prison Pipeline Class2024 – 2024Fall Intern
Students for Voting Justice2024 – Present10 monthsOwner
Yummi Luxe Treats2018 – Present6 yearsDining Associate
Whitney Center2021 – Present3 yearsPer Diem Banquet Server
Yale University2022 – Present2 years
Sports
Cheerleading
Varsity2022 – 20231 year
Awards
- Certificate of Appreciation
Softball
Varsity2021 – 2021
Public services
Advocacy
Black Women Pre-Law — Member2023 – PresentVolunteering
Nation Drill Squad & Drum Corp — Coach2021 – 2023Advocacy
Black Girls Vote — Member2023 – PresentAdvocacy
Elm Village Inc. — Guest Speaker2023 – 2023Advocacy
Yale New Haven Hospital — Summer Virtual Career Awareness Program2021 – 2021Volunteering
Soup Kitchen —2023 – 2023Volunteering
Wilbur Cross High School — Assisted in passing out turkeys to students.2022 – 2022Volunteering
Lisette Agosto, Social Worker — Social Worker Assistant2022 – 2023Advocacy
Girls Empowerment Summit — Featured Presenter2022 – 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.