Jhilya Mayas, PhD.

Jhilya (she/her) is a Black, queer, native Marylander who now calls L.A. home after stints in New York City, New Orleans, and Chicago. She wears many hats, has a lot of opinions, and while technically on the cusp of being a millennial, still struggles to understand TikTok and Snapchat.

She is a microbiologist by training, a public health geek by vocation, a full-spectrum doula by intention, an identical twin by happenstance, and a devoted mom to Daphne, a hot mess of a rescue dog. Jhilya is full-blooded Caribbean, with a Kittian mother, a Haitian father, and a deep connection to all of the island nations. Her professional and community work all centers the needs and experiences of marginalized Black and brown people, primarily from a health and wellness perspective.

She brings communications and community engagement expertise to Negritude and thrives on fostering connections and building bridges among similarly minded folks. Her work is defined by inclusivity, intersectionality, and a laser focus on uplifting the Black queer experience.

Contact: jhilya@negritudefest.com