Community Highlights: Meet Jaida Morgan of Umoja Debate League, Detroit Public Schools Community District, and Wholistic Learning Gems

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaida Morgan

Hi Jaida, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.

My journey has been shaped by the people and experiences that poured into me when I was younger; my family, my mentors, and the youth programs that helped me see a world bigger than my immediate surroundings. I was fortunate to have spaces where I was encouraged to dream big and use my voice, and those experiences made me who I am today. 

But I also know what it feels like to struggle. I’ve had my fair share of challenges and moments where I questioned myself, moments where I didn’t know if I was doing enough. And honestly, those moments still come up. But what keeps me going is my belief that young people deserve intentional investment in their growth, success, and future. That’s why I do this work. 

Now, I’m a school social worker, and I see firsthand what our students are up against every day. Let’s be real, the literacy rates in Detroit are alarming. We have kids who are brilliant, who have so much potential, but they’re struggling to read at the level they should be. That’s not a reflection of their intelligence, it’s a reflection of a system that isn’t set up to support them in the ways they need. 

Beyond the school system, I also lead Umoja Debate League, where we use debate to help students build confidence, critical thinking skills, and self-expression among other life skills. Then there’s Umoja Village, a space we built from the ground up to be a hub for the community, because we believe in self-determination and creating the spaces we need for ourselves. And Wholistic Learning Gems is my way of bridging the gaps I see in education and community support, focusing on the whole person, mentally, educationally, emotionally, and culturally. 

At the heart of everything I do is one simple belief: That Black students and Black people in general deserve systems that don’t just include them, but are built to elevate them. We have everything we need within us, our intelligence, our creativity, our resilience. The problem isn’t that we lack talent, it’s that we’re too often denied the spaces to use it. My job is to help change that. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Not at all. But honestly? I didn’t expect it to be. 

Balancing everything, being a school social worker, Umoja Debate League, and building Wholistic Learning Gems, has stretched me in ways I never could have imagined. There have been times where I felt completely overwhelmed, wondering if I was even making a dent in the bigger picture. 

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t do this work alone. When I first started, I had this mindset that I had to do everything myself. I thought that if I didn’t handle every little

detail, things would fall apart. But that’s not how change happens. Real, sustainable change happens in community. It happens when people come together, bring their strengths to the table, and build something bigger than themselves. 

There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” That’s something I live by now. 

I’ve also had to do a lot of personal growth. There were times when I doubted myself, wondering if I was the right person for this work, if I was doing enough. But I’ve come to trust that I’m exactly where I need to be. The impact speaks for itself. When I see students finding their voices, when I see them growing in confidence, when I see them realizing their own power, that reminds me why I do this. 

The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Umoja Debate League, Detroit Public Schools Community District, and Wholistic Learning Gems? 

At the core of everything I do is this: creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported. 

With Umoja Debate League, we use debate as a vehicle for transformation. But this isn’t just about debate, it’s about empowerment. We’re teaching students how to think critically, how to navigate systems, and how to use their voices to advocate for themselves and their communities. We’re not just building debaters, we’re building leaders and change makers. 

Umoja Village is another extension of that vision. It’s a space built by the community, for the community. It’s about self-determination, sustainability, and proving that we don’t have to wait for permission to create what we need. When people step into Umoja Village, they see what’s possible when we come together with intention. 

Then there’s Wholistic Learning Gems, which was born out of the gaps I saw in education and community support. Too often, students, families, and educators aren’t on the same page, and that disconnect hurts our kids. Wholistic Learning Gems focuses on the whole person; not just their academics, but their emotional, social, and cultural well-being too. I want to create 

culturally responsive resources and programs that truly empower students, families, and educators. 

And of course, my work as a school social worker brings all of this together. I work with students with special needs, and that has deepened my understanding of just how much representation and culturally responsive care matter. We can’t just throw one-size-fits-all solutions at our kids and expect them to thrive. We have to be intentional about how we support them.

At the end of the day, everything I do is about legacy-building. It’s about making sure the next generation has something solid to stand on. 

Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?

There are so many ways to get involved. 

For Umoja Debate League, we’re always looking for volunteers, whether it’s judging debate tournaments, helping with community events, or supporting our students in other ways. 

For Umoja Village, we’re working on sustainability projects, community engagement events, and ongoing maintenance, so if you’re passionate about community work, we’d love to have you. 

With Wholistic Learning Gems, I’m looking to collaborate with people who are passionate about holistic education, whether that’s consulting, creating resources, or developing new ways to support students and families. 

And honestly? Even just spreading the word helps. Sharing a post, telling someone about the work we’re doing, or just showing up when you can. 

We need people who care. People who see the vision and want to build something meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaidachanel_
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaida-c-morgan-llmsw-4b2846224