Dr. Jamelia Harris is an award-winning researcher, scholar-activist, and CEO of Write Your Dissertation, Sis, whose work centers Black feminist care and legacy-building for Black women scholars.

A Spencer Foundation grant recipient, American Association of University Women Fellow, and finalist for the AERA Outstanding Qualitative Dissertation Award, she brings both lived experience and deep expertise to her coaching. Her dissertation is currently under contract with a major academic press. After earning her Ph.D. in Education from UCLA and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers University, Dr. Jamelia now serves as Senior Research Director at a national race and gender justice nonprofit. She is also a coach for the AAUW Level Up program, supporting emerging scholars and professionals in their career journeys.

Today, she leads Write Your Dissertation, Sis, where Black women scholars finish their work, protect their peace, and write toward legacy on their own terms. She has supported over 200 scholars in completing dissertations, securing fellowships, and building aligned academic lives.

Got it — congratulations to her. Here's the bio updated to her married name:

Dr. Cierra Jade Morris is a narrative strategist, leadership story coach, and educator who helps mission-driven leaders and organizations harness storytelling for connection, community-building, and social change. With more than a decade in nonprofit leadership, arts education, and movement work, she blends narrative strategy, embodied storytelling, and healing-centered practice. She has served as Executive Director of a national nonprofit publisher and advocacy organization, and as Director of Storytelling at a philanthropic intermediary. Her writing appears in Rethinking Schools, Strong Black Girls, Black Girl Civics, and journals including Girlhood Studies and The Urban Review.

Through Unlock Your Story, Dr. Morris coaches leaders in articulating the values, experiences, and stories that shape their work. She has delivered over 300 talks and workshops, with credits including TEDx, SXSW, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Education, and has been named a Voqal Fellow, Monument Lab Fellow, and to Black Enterprise's 40 Under 40. A professional dancer and yoga instructor, she brings movement and embodiment into her coaching on presence and confidence. She earned her Ph.D. in education from the University of Maryland, College Park.