Juma Dennis was 13 years old on the day she left a war-torn Liberia and arrived in Minnesota in the middle of a freezing cold February. She knew from a young age the importance of community and public service and has devoted her life to helping others.
Juma remembered how amazed she was at the idea of free public schooling and free supplies. Back in Liberia you had to pay for the textbooks and classes you received. School was more of a luxury. She also distinctly remembered how kids were very bold in the way they would disobey their parents and break the rules right in front of them, in a way she had not witnessed before. It was a whole different world for Juma.
After Juma finished high school she attended college in Mankato to study Community Health and Psychology, traveled to Texas for a couple years, and arrived back in Minnesota in May of 2012.
“When I moved back, I started working at HCMC and then Second Harvest. I am passionate about community/public health. I feel like giving back to the community and working in your community inspires and empowers people to do better, not only here in the US but back home in Liberia as well. Getting the help that we received at the refugee camp in Ghana after we were displaced in Liberia, seeing all the public health workers provide us with food and water, I just feel like those people really deserve more praises than what they are getting,” said Juma.
Juma had also been curious about mental health, and how it affects those around you. “I took a Psychology class back in 2005 at Anoka Ramsey and honestly, the first day when I was done with that class, I got home, and I started to diagnose everybody,” shared Juma, as we joked about how some family and friends might have avoided her for a bit after that.
“That really changed my mind on how to approach people and talk to them. We have no idea what people are dealing with, some people do not physically show their mental illness, and some people hide it. Some people are not able to handle it, or cope as well as others, or they don’t have the support system and resources to get help.” said Juma
Currently, Juma works at AVIVO, a non-profit organization in Minneapolis as a mental and chemical health case manager for adults and children. “I am a people person. I love meeting new people, and talking to people. What better way for me to give back to the community than to learn those skills. I would be able to help people get back on their feet or utilize the resources around them.” Juma plans to continue her education in Public Health and is signed up to start her master’s degree program in January at St. Mary’s.
In addition to working at AVIVO and her schooling, Juma started a party planning business called J Deion Service in 2018. Juma has planned weddings, birthday parties, baby showers and even hosts events such as The Voices Magazine Awards Show. “I love helping people smile and personalize things. If you’re having an event it is so stressful, and I will take that pressure off you and handle your vendors. You can just enjoy your event while I cover everything. ” said Juma. Juma has had to shift her business to hosting virtual events whenever possible, due to COVID-19. She is in the process of applying for various small business loans or grants to grow her business further by renting out events equipment.
If you didn’t think Juma had enough on her plate already, she also works with the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota as a community event coordinator. Plus, she is part of the Liberian Business Association (LIBA), helping others with their membership, and getting people involved. Juma highly recommends joining a business association in your community to get education, resources, and grow your network. “For example, LIBA just did a technical assistance program for businesses in Brooklyn Center where they provided free laptops, training and a grant,” said Juma.
Juma plans to stay working within the community in various degrees for the rest of her life and is truly passionate about the work she is doing. In just a short amount of time she has made a huge impact on those around her and the state of Minnesota.
If you would like to hire Juma for an event or speak with her further, follow along @J Deion Services on Facebook or Instagram.
