Meet The Team

Monet H. Smith is a social entrepreneur and change maker for criminal justice reform. She has a passion for law, communities of color, and social equity. In 3 years, Monet graduated within the top 10% of her class to receive a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University in Criminology Legal Studies. 

Shortly after college, she moved to New York and served as Chief of Staff to The New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators. During her time within this position, she founded SJ.II, Society’s Justice. Innovations & Interventions Inc. in the hopes of addressing a rising crime prevention crisis and educational gaps within the city's communities of color.  

Currently, Monet is a rising second year at NYU Wagner MPA-PNP program specializing in Social Impact, Innovation & Investment, with a focus on Social Entrepreneurship. In addition to her work at NYU Wagner she is also studying for law school with plans of enrolling in fall of 2025 immediately after graduation. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Amaris Smith is an aspiring lawyer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a criminology degree from Pennsylvania State University. She has interests in working in sports law while also serving as a criminal defense attorney. Her interest in sports law comes from a background working with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers, & Penn State Football teams as an intern. 

Amaris has showcased her passion in social justice reform through her internship with Roc Nation within their philanthropy department called the United Justice Coalition and her role within SJ.II. She is currently studying to pursue her goals of going to law school and aspires to foster the development & access to success within marginalized communities in the U.S.

Jeremiah Morancy is an alum of Brooklyn College, with a degree in psychology, and proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Currently, he plays a vital role at SJ.II, focusing on recruiting young adult mentors and organizing community networking events. Jeremiah also brings extensive experience in IT recruitment, having served as a Senior Information Technology Recruiter at Blue Chip Staffing LLC. His expertise includes full lifecycle recruiting, managing technical recruitment processes, and building extensive databases of tech professionals across the US. Previously, Jeremiah contributed to educational leadership as a Service Learner at BCCP and served as Dean of Students at the NYC Department of Education. His diverse background in psychology, education, and IT recruitment underscores his commitment to professional excellence and community service.escribe the mission of your organization.

Evonae Dickenson is a dedicated Cosmetology student at Empire Beauty School in New York City. She works part-time as an Administrative Assistant for the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators, Inc., where she supports the organization's administrative functions.

Additionally, Evonae as the Operations & Team Manager for Society’s Justice Innovations & Interventions (SJ.II), Evonae oversees daily operations and manages the team to implement the organization's initiatives effectively.

Her commitment to community service is evident through her volunteer work with the Campaign Against Hunger and the Showdem Movements Foundation, where she contributes to providing essential resources and supporting community-driven projects.

Evonae's multifaceted experience in cosmetology, administration, and community service highlights her dedication to personal and professional growth and her passion for making a positive impact in her community.

Shanai Watson is a first-generation graduate from Boston, MA. She transferred from the University of Notre Dame in 2022 to Louisiana State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a concentration in criminology and a minor in Political Science in 3 years. Throughout college, Shanai was extensively involved in the LSU and East Baton Rouge community, as she held membership in several student organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women, the Future Black Women in Law Association, the Innocence Club, and many others. 

Currently, Shanai works full-time as a client advocate within a Public Defender's Office through the Partners for Justice Client professional fellowship. During her two-year fellowship, Shanai will pursue her Masters in Public Policy online through Northeastern University. After both the fellowship and her Masters program are complete, she will apply to matriculate immediately into law school. for two years before applying to law school. She hopes to one day become a legislator working to reform the education, healthcare, and criminal justice systems across the United States. 

Lily Mobraaten is an incoming junior at New York University studying Social & Cultural Analysis with minors in Spanish and Child Development. As a long-time community organizer, she is passionate about criminal justice reform, youth empowerment, addressing the U.S.’s role in global violence, and the intersections of gender, racial, and economic justice. She is involved in the New York community through her work with youth at Harlem Children’s Zone, through reproductive and gender justice advocacy on NYU’s campus, and through her volunteer position to help recently arrived migrants seek asylum in New York City. She hopes to become a lawyer focusing on immigrant rights, public defense, education reform, or corporate accountability.

Jillian Peprah-Frimpong serves as the Governmental Relations Fellow on the Outreach Team at SJ.II, focused on strengthening partnerships with legislators and promoting the organization’s youth programming and initiatives. Jillian aspires to work at the intersection of public policy and journalism, where she can utilize her communication and research skills to bring attention to the lives of marginalized and vulnerable populations. She holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in Computer Science from Wellesley College. 

DeJa Crawford is a dynamic student currently serving as the Events and Marketing Intern at SJ.II. With a strong background in marketing, law, and community service, she joined the organization to drive positive community impact through expertly planned events.

DeJa excels in event marketing and planning, having successfully crafted effective marketing campaigns, designed websites, and held leadership roles in various organizations. Her skills in analyzing market trends and implementing strategic solutions underscore her commitment to excellence.

As an Honors Marketing student at Pace University's Lubin School of Business, DeJa has refined her communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities. She is also the Content Manager for New York District Circle K and an active member of the American Marketing Association at Pace University. DeJa's dedication to her field and community shines through her work and continuous pursuit of knowledge.