DaNetta R. Julian is recognized for her innovative approach and her commitment to challenging stereotypes unfairly placed on young people. With over 20 years of experience in public education, Julian has dedicated herself to working closely with students, teachers, and parents, fueled by her B.A. in Education, Spanish, and English from Western Michigan University. This passion for advocacy led her to earn multiple Master of Arts degrees from the University of Phoenix, including Human Services, Curriculum and Instruction, and Adult Education and Training.

Through a lens of transformative justice, Julian has managed the Juvenile Justice program, a diversion initiative offering alternatives to suspension for secondary students. She also ledthe Handle with Care Program, a partnership with law enforcement, schools, and community agencies to support children affected by traumatic events. As a community resource, Julian contributes to safeTALK, a program focused on training individuals to recognize and assist those at risk of suicide.

Julian’s work with Gryphon Place further expands her capacity for creativity and community engagement, including her recent efforts to make 211 services accessible in person, allowing clients direct access to essential resources. She passionately believes in nurturing youth potential, viewing a single mistake as just one page in a life story—an opportunity for growth rather than a defining moment. Julian is resolute in removing every misplaced, biased, and harmful label, one step at a time, to empower the young people she serves, believing that anything is possible!