The Juanita Sims Doty Foundation, Inc. (JSD Foundation), designated as a charity organization by the Mississippi Secretary of State in October 2010, is exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The Foundation has also been designated as a public charity with a 501c3 nonprofit status and is dedicated to improving individual lives through community engagement and outreach.  

Mission, Purpose and Vision

Our mission is to positively impact the lives of children, specifically children of color through mentoring, youth development, health, education and advocacy and the overall wellness of the family. Since 2010, the purpose of The Juanita Sims Doty Foundation (JSDF) has been to improve individual lives through community engagement and to ignite a “spirit of service, collaboration and advocacy” throughout the state, nation and the world.

The signature program of JSDF is the Ambassadors of the Evers Academy for African-American Males (A-TEAAM) National Mentoring Initiative in partnership with the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute and other local and national community-based organizations.

The Ambassadors of the Evers Academy for African-American Males (A-TEAAM) Initiative is a mentorship program that inspires young males of color in primary and secondary schools to honor the life and live the legacy of Medgar Wiley Evers as they interact with a village of role models. A "village" of volunteers provides support and guidance, utilizing a culturally responsive curriculum to empower youth as they matriculate through school. The purpose of the A-TEAAM Movement is to provide caring mentors and to positively impact the quality of life for young males of color by helping to sharpen or learn the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate life. 

In 2018, the foundation realized that this important work of helping to preparing children of color with the tools needed to navigate a world that can be challenging, was not enough. So, we decided to prepare the world for our children. JSDF has expanded its research and advocacy work using the lens of Dehumanization. We aim to disrupt the Dehumanization Cycle and empower communities so that children of color can thrive.

In 2019, JSDF answered the long-awaited call to support girls of color and partnered with the Cleveland Kirkland Foundation, and Jackson State University and Mississippi State University’s Athletics Departments to begin a mentoring program for girls called Educating Scholars through Tutoring, Empowerment, Engagement and Mentorship (ESTEEM). ESTEEM takes an intergenerational approach to providing the scholars with social, emotional, intellectual and community-based mentoring that they need and/or desire. The goal of ESTEEM is to ensure young ladies have the tools, support and esteem needed to be their best selves.

Community-based organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The JSD Foundation to provide a ‘village’ of mentors in Mississippi and beyond, for middle school males and females participating in our programs. The organizations are:

International Community Ambassadors Network

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Delta Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Rho Lambda Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Upsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Jackson Alumnae Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Rho Xi Lambda Chapter

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Jackson Alumni Chapter

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Beta Alpha Chapter

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Epsilon Kappa Kappa Chapter

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Mu Sigma Chapter

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter

The Links, Incorporated, Jackson (MS) Chapter

The Links, Incorporated, Le-Fleurs Bluff Chapter

100 Black Men of Jackson

100 Black Men of Canton

Forward Lookers Federated Club

Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Jackson (MS) Chapter

National Council of Negro Women, Jackson Section

The Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi, District IV

Meridian Freedom Project

Forever Lifting Youth/ Statewide Federal Credit Union

Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club

Bridging the Gap Learning Academy

Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.  (National Organization)

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Omega Mu Mu Chapter

The Cleveland Kirkland Foundation

Thirst for Learning, Portland, OR