DANVERS, MA, April 01, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Janelle Ridley, MA, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

An unwavering force for social change, Ms. Ridley has spent over two decades dismantling systemic barriers in education and juvenile justice, reshaping policy and empowering communities. She has been a driving force in community advocacy, policy innovation and education reform, working at the intersections of public policy, social justice and youth empowerment.

Beginning her career as a social worker in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Ms. Ridley tackled systemic barriers such as mental health disparities, poverty and juvenile justice involvement. Transitioning into education, she became an educator at East Boston High School, where she founded the school's NAACP chapter, the only active high school chapter nationwide at the time, empowering students to engage in national conversations on racial and educational justice. As the director of programs and community engagement at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, Roxbury Community College, she continues to design transformative, community-driven initiatives that broaden educational access and social justice.

Previously, Ms. Ridley co-founded and led the Racial Justice x Tech Policy (RJxTP) program at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management, where she served as associate director from 2021 to 2023. Collaborating with her esteemed mentor, Dr. Maria Madison, she redefined intersectional approaches to technology policy and spearheaded one of the first micro-credentialing courses within RJxTP, laying the foundation for digital equity-focused certifications. Her work in AI bias research bridges civil rights and policy advocacy, ensuring that technology serves all communities equitably.

"Ms. Ridley brings an extraordinary combination of strategic vision, field expertise, and authentic connection to community needs that will transform our programming initiatives, as well as how we approach education for the next generation," said Dr. Madison, interim dean of The Heller School.

Ms. Ridley's impact in the public sector is equally distinguished. As the director of policy and strategic initiatives for the City of Boston from 2018 to 2021, she led transformative civic engagement projects, shaping policy frameworks that continue to influence city governance today. She also worked as a program manager and district liaison for the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, advocating for the educational and social reintegration of system-involved youth.

Ms. Ridley is the founder of Affirmation Education, a consultancy that reimagines education through interactive, student-driven learning experiences. Through simulations, board games and experiential pedagogical models, she enables young people to navigate real-world societal challenges with resilience and leadership. She envisions establishing a boarding school designed to serve system-involved youth, providing them with holistic support and educational pathways that break cycles of incarceration and marginalization.

Her leadership extends into national coalitions. She serves as chair of the Northeast Regional Coalition for Juvenile Justice and is the former chair of the Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. Additionally, she sits on the Boston Collaborative board, reinforcing her commitment to equity-driven policy and youth empowerment initiatives.

Ms. Ridley is currently pursuing her doctorate at Brandeis University. She earned a Master of Science in social policy, with a concentration in economic and race equity in 2023 and a Master of Arts in organizational leadership and psychology with a concentration in global mental health from William James College in 2022. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Lasell College in 2006.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Ridley is a devoted mother to her son, James, and partner to Steve Tompkins. She remains deeply engaged in community service through Calvary Christian Church and various outreach initiatives, dedicating her time to mentorship, social impact projects and youth development.

Her accolades include recognition in racial justice advocacy and educational innovation, such as the Working Mission Certificate for Racial Justice x Tech Policy in 2023 and medals in the International Series Game Competition in 2021 and 2022.

Ms. Ridley attributes her success to the resilience and brilliance of the young people she works with and the mentors who have guided her. She remains committed to breaking barriers, amplifying marginalized voices and ensuring that education and justice work in tandem to uplift communities.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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