Jayla's Story

Jayla Duncan is a graduate of Samford University, where she was a cheerleader, Howard Scholar, SGA Chief of Staff, Title IX Intern, and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Societies, as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During high school, she distinguished herself as valedictorian, homecoming queen, and prom queen. 

Jayla is currently pursuing a master's degree in Community Action and Development on the pre-law track at Vanderbilt University, where she is also a member of the Vanderbilt Cheer Team. She will continue her work with Be the SPARK Foundation while advancing her academic and leadership endeavors.

Jayla is also a victim of bullying. Like 56% students under 18, Jayla was called names, insulted, and defamed with malicious rumors. This came from people she thought were her friends. After talking to her parents, together they informed the necessary people and the issue was managed. Jayla recovered from the bullying, but never forgot the experience. 

She launched Jayla’s Justice: An Anti-Bullying Initiative and founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Be the SPARK Foundation: Sharing Positivity and Inspiring Random Acts of Kindness. Be the SPARK is designed to engage with students about bullying prevention and the importance of kindness. raised through Be the SPARK are used to purchase and distribute anti-bullying resources to Alabama schools and libraries.