Dr. Julie Dent highlights 30 years of education and civic service in New York City

Dr. Julie Dent, founder of Chris Jewel Women Empowerment Group, has spent more than three decades in early childhood education, public service, and advocacy across New York City. Her work now centers on mentoring young women, supporting families, and serving on hospital and civic boards.

Why it matters: - Dr. Julie Dent’s career shows how education, public service, and community advocacy can reinforce one another across generations. - Her current work with young women, students, and families focuses on college, career, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. - Her service spans childcare, public institutions, domestic violence support, healthcare access, and neighborhood outreach.

What happened: - Dr. Julie Dent, founder and president of Chris Jewel Women Empowerment Group, LLC, is being recognized for a career built in New York City education and civic leadership. - Dent spent more than three decades working in early childhood education, public service, and community outreach. - Dent is retired from full-time work but remains active in mentorship, board service, and community support. - Dent continues to guide young women and students as they plan for college, careers, and life goals.

The details: - Dent began her career as a preschool and elementary school teacher. - She later served as Administrative Director of the Harris E. Green Preschool Program in Bushwick, Brooklyn. - Dent then became Executive and Educational Director of the Audrey Johnson Learning Center. - In that role, Dent partnered with New York University to secure the Early Reading First Grant. - The grant supported literacy and school-readiness programming for young children. - Dent earned an associate degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College. - She earned a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Empire State College. - She earned a master’s degree from City College of New York. - Dent later received an honorary doctorate degree. - In 2007, the National Association of Child Care Professionals named Dent National Child Care Director of the Year. - The New York State Senate gave Dent its Women of Distinction Award in 2007. - Dent served as a commissioner for the New York City Board of Elections representing Kings County from 2007 to 2014. - Dent also chaired her local Brooklyn Community Board. - In that role, she helped guide work on affordable housing, education, and economic development. - Dent volunteered with Women Working for a Better Community in Bushwick. - There, she counseled survivors of domestic violence. - She also accompanied survivors to court and helped them secure housing and other resources. - Dent serves on the boards of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Woodhull Hospital, and the NAACP. - Since 2023, Dent has also been a registered marriage officiant with the New York City Office of the City Clerk. - Dent organizes community fitness and nutrition workshops. - She also leads annual school supply drives, Thanksgiving meals, and Christmas outreach for families in need. - Since her brother’s death in 2021, Dent has dedicated that outreach to the Brooklyn apartment building where he lived. - Dent’s organization, Chris Jewel Women Empowerment Group, is named for herself and her son Christopher. - Through the group, Dent helps young people pursue higher education, skilled trades, or entrepreneurship. - Dent emphasizes integrity and confidence as core parts of long-term success. - Her son, Christopher Dent, is a retired NYPD officer who now coaches and mentors youth.

Between the lines: - Dent’s story is also a portrait of leadership rooted in family influence, faith, and service. - Her mother’s example shaped her belief that people who want change must take part in solving problems. - Dent says education is a lifelong pursuit and that success should be measured by the lives a person affects, not only by personal recognition. - Her focus on underserved communities suggests a leadership style built around direct service rather than institutional status. - The repeated theme across her career is practical help: classrooms, elections, housing, health, and family support.

What's next: - Dent plans to keep mentoring young women and students through Chris Jewel Women Empowerment Group. - She is expected to continue board service and community outreach centered on health, education, and family support. - Her ongoing work will likely remain focused on giving young people clear paths into higher education, trades, and entrepreneurship.

The bottom line: - Dr. Julie Dent has turned a career in education and public service into a long-running model of community leadership, and she is still building on that legacy in retirement. - More information is available through her Influential Women profile.