In 2010, the mission of the Juanita Sims Doty Foundation was to positively impact the lives of children of color through community engagement and by igniting a “Spirit of Service” through volunteerism throughout the state, nation, and world. We have not veered from the goal and have been intentional about centering the mission based on the needs of children, specifically children of color.

Today, our mission is to provide youth with the tools needed to navigate a challenging world, while preparing the world to receive them. JSDF promotes coalition building and develops partnerships with organizations whose mission is to create, provide and/or support race equity. Our overall strategy is to implement service and advocacy initiatives in education, children’s and women’s health, and the overall wellness of the family.

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

After multiple requests from organizations and school districts, we added the Empowering Scholars Through Education, Engagement and Mentorship (E-STEEM) program for girls. 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.

On October 10, 2014, the JSDF and MMEI joined into a partnership with the Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated (TLOD) during TLOD’s 50^th Year Anniversary Celebration in Houston, TX to implement the A-TEAAM in their chapters across the country.  The 12^th President of TLOD, Mrs. Audrie Lawton and the 10^th President of TLOD, Mrs. Peggy Lewis LeCompte, National A-TEAAM Coordinator, developed this relationship with the JSD Foundation.

Additionally, in 2018, we began our efforts to prepare the world to receive youth with research and additional advocacy activities based on disrupting the Dehumanization Cycle and providing individuals and communities with the capacity to utilize a race equity lens when engaging communities of color. As our youth use the tools they receive to navigate this world and encounter organizations and agencies more prepared to support them, they’ll have everything they need to Choose to Grow!

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

Statewide Federal Credit Union

Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.  (National Organization)

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Omega Mu Mu Chapter

The Cleveland Empowerment Foundation