Juanisha Byrd is a dedicated professional with a robust public health and social justice background. She currently serves as the Project Manager for The Council of State Governments Justice Center, providing technical assistance and guidance to states and policymakers. In this role, Juanisha uses data to help reduce criminal justice spending as part of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative.
At The Justice Center, Juanisha continues her mission-driven work, offering her the opportunity to influence important advancements in criminal justice policy at the state and local levels. She has a track record of effectively managing multiple projects, an ability to translate the latest research into policy and implementation action steps that reflect the context of a particular jurisdiction, and a commitment to improving criminal justice system outcomes.
Before joining the Council of State Governments, Juanisha was the Impact and Engagement Manager at the Center for Policing Equity, where she led initiatives and partnerships and spearheaded efforts to redesign public safety by replacing punitive systems with care-focused approaches. Juanisha utilized intersectional strategies to address complex societal issues such as community violence, substance abuse, and equitable access to support services, demonstrating her commitment to creating compassionate and effective public safety solutions.
In addition to her public health and criminal justice work, Juanisha is also the co-founder of Prime Properties Investment Solutions, a company dedicated to providing affordable, quality housing in Alabama and Georgia. Through Prime Properties, Juanisha combines her commitment to equitable access and community improvement with real estate development, creating housing solutions that empower individuals and uplift neighborhoods.
Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in developing comprehensive public health strategies and providing statistical analyses to law enforcement agencies. Her work significantly contributes to ongoing efforts to reduce racial disparities in policing outcomes, showcasing her dedication to fostering fair and just communities.
Before joining the Center for Policing Equity, Ms. Byrd played a significant role in combating communicable diseases with the DeKalb County Board of Health. She supported the national End the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative, which aims to reduce new HIV infections in the United States by 75% by 2025. Additionally, she led efforts within the Cobb County Government to implement evidence-based practices for aging populations and adults with disabilities. Her work seamlessly integrated science-based interventions to improve the health and safety of vulnerable communities. Ms. Byrd also managed an assistive technology laboratory and evaluation process to support independent living. She led a collaborative initiative with Friends for Disabled Adults & Children (FODAC), facilitating the distribution of more than 75 pieces of assistive technology and home medical equipment to support adults with disabilities in Cobb County, Georgia.
Juanisha is a dynamic professional with unparalleled dedication and a broad range of public health and equity-centric expertise. Throughout her public health career, Ms. Byrd has consistently focused on protecting, supporting, and empowering marginalized communities. Her passion for advocacy is evident in her efforts to increase access to healthcare and community-based supportive services.
