2025 BPDA Summer Fellowship Class
About the BPDA Summer Fellowship Program
One of the central goals of BPDA’s Law School Engagement Committee is to provide resources that ensure that Black law students are able to access and succeed in public defense as a profession that empowers marginalized communities. Each year, the Committee selects a number of promising Black law students to serve as BPDA Summer Fellows. Each Fellow receives mentorship, intensive skills training, and financial support that enables them to successfully complete an unpaid summer internship at a public defender office and be well positioned for post-graduate employment.
Our fellowship program is made possible by the financial contributions of our members and supporters!
Meet the 2025 Summer Fellows
Angelyn Armistead
Contra Costa Office of the Public Defender (Martinez, CA)
University of California, San Francisco
“I wanted to do everything in my power to become an attorney who vigorously fights for their clients to be treated fairly in our criminal justice system. Ever since then, I have been preparing myself to be the best advocate I can be fighting against this system of mass incarceration as a public defender.”
Alexander Moore
Contra Costa Office of the Public Defender (Martinez, CA)
Suffolk University Law School
“My family had frequent interactions with the justice system and often relied on public defenders. Witnessing the critical support they provided and
knowing that without these services, my family would have had no help deeply inspired me. These experiences instilled in me a desire to become an attorney dedicated to serving those who would otherwise be left without legal assistance. My commitment to public service continues to guide my academic and professional pursuits, solidifying my resolve to advocate for those in need.”
Kirk Crump
Contra Costa Office of the Public Defender (Martinez, CA)
University of San Francisco Law School
“I’ve wanted to be a criminal defense attorney before I knew I wanted to go to college. I saw from a young age the importance of having adequate representation and how many family members and close friends I grew up have been affected by the system.”
Jaylen Cavil
Committee for Public Defense Counsel Services (Boston, MA)
Northeastern University School of Law
“I feel it is extremely important that anyone accused of a crime have access to competent and dedicated advocates prepared to defend them.”
Kyara Brown Conerly
Committee for Public Defense Counsel Services (Boston, MA)
Suffolk University Law School
“I believe public defense is one of the most service oriented jobs you can have because the people who work in this profession are helping a demographic of people who often get written off because they are minorities or lower class.”
Jamea Walker
Orleans Public Defenders (New Orleans, LA)
Southern University Law Center
“Having previously worked as a probation and parole officer; I’ve seen firsthand how the criminal justice system can disproportionately impact individuals who lack access to quality legal representation. While working as a probation and parole officer, I encountered individuals who, despite their best efforts, were often caught in a system that seemed to work against them rather than for them.”
Kelis Johnson
Orleans Public Defenders (New Orleans, LA)
New York University School of Law
“I am passionate about working within the communities most affected by the harms of the criminal legal system by providing legal support and representation. I understand that the law is not accessible to all and the fundamental right to counsel must be protected in order to combat our system of mass incarceration that disproportionately affects people of color and poor communities. I would like to play a role in supporting these efforts in my career and work to meet the needs of clients to achieve the best outcomes for them and their loved ones.”
Quiana Brown
Orleans Public Defenders (New Orleans, LA)
Paul M. Herbert Law Center, LSU
“Public defenders are the only real hope that some have in receiving any sort of fair treatment within the judicial system.”
Iyanla Fuller
Orleans Public Defenders (New Orleans, LA)
Southern University Law Center
“Throughout my experiences as a legal assistant, I became inspired daily by the attorneys’ efforts to give their clients redemption beyond the courtroom, which encouraged me to one day take a holistic approach with my own clients. My experiences reinforced my passion for social justice and the need to limit mass incarceration, motivating me to advocate for those marginalized by legal systems that often perpetuate social and economic disadvantages.”
Angela Kilgore
Orleans Public Defenders (New Orleans, LA)
Southern University Law Center
“I have seen firsthand the critical role public defenders play in ensuring that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, has access to fair legal representation. This commitment to upholding the rights of the underrepresented and vulnerable aligns with my core values and fuels my passion for this field.”
Jordan McGriff
Orleans Public Defenders (New Orleans, LA)
Southern University Law Center
“[Public defense] is a way to make a real impact while upholding the principles of fairness and human dignity.”
Rayneece Hebert
Washington State Office of the Public Defender
University of Idaho Law School
“I feel passionate about public defense because I know the impact it has on my community. The black community. I want to dedicate my career to solving the issues negatively impacting the black community, especially within the justice system.”
Rajzia Whitley
Washington State Office of the Public Defender
Cleveland State University College of Law
“I am attracted to this line of work because I aspire to be more than simply a lawyer; I want
to be a counselor, a zealous holistic advocate, and a support system for people who frequently
feel abandoned by the legal system.”
Brooklyn “Kei” Larbo
Howard University School of Law
“Because of my experience with police brutality in high school, I feel passionate about public defense because the foundation of public defense is about loudening a person’s voice when society and our legal system have done everything in their power to silence it.”
Shakiyah Geeter
Southern Illinois Simmons Law School
“Justice should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it, it should be a basic right, which is why I want to be a public defender. There is a great need for empathy and cultural understanding when representing minority groups that only those who belong to will understand and be able to better aid their needs.”
LaKiowa Milan
University of Mississippi Law School
“As a first-generation law student and the oldest sibling, I’ve learned the importance of guiding and supporting others. My mother’s sacrifices and my grandmother’s strength have inspired me to fight for those facing hardships. Public defense is not just a career path for me, it’s a calling.”
Toren Chenault
Michigan State Appellate Defender Office (Detroit, MI)
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
“Helping others is my main passion in life and being a public defender lines up with that passion perfectly.”
Corie Wilkins
Virginia Indigent Defense Comission
Howard University School of Law
“When it’s all said and done, I’m passionate about public defense because who among us has not wanted to be protected, to be seen as worthy of being defended, not because we were necessarily innocent, but because we were human? When our humanity is recognized, the possibility of hope feels more attainable. Public defense offers that hope.”
Waverly Bah
Virginia Indigent Defense Comission
Washington & Lee University School of Law
“Being Black, Hispanic, and visibly Muslim mattered now. It defined how I moved in spaces, navigated between communities, and struggled to take up space and be seen. I witnessed modern-day segregation taking hold in neighborhoods and a growing housing crisis, with disparities in knowledge widening. In a community that came to feel like my own, I was being called to show up better, to do more.”
Holly Stephens
Virginia Indigent Defense Comission
University of Virigina School of Law
“I firmly believe in the adage that a person can be judged by the company they keep (or, in legalese, noscitur a sociis). As such, I understand what a professional benefit it would be to associate myself with a value-driven organization that aligns with the type of lawyer I want to be. I am drawn to BPDA’s mission of tackling systemic racism in the criminal legal system, advocating for reentry resources, and pursuing alternatives to incarceration.”
LaRae Morning
Virginia Indigent Defense Comission
American Univiersity Washington College of Law
“I feel passionately about public defense because I have personally experienced the impact that a lack of resources and support can have on a person’s life. From having an incarcerated father to being raised by a single mother and even facing homelessness before law school, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate life without a safety net. What made a difference for me was the handful of people who supported me. Whether by cheering me on, buying me food, or giving me a place to stay. Public defenders play that crucial role for those who have been cast aside, advocating for individuals who lack resources and support. I firmly believe that a person’s potential should not be determined by their circumstances, and no one should be denied the opportunity to become the best version of themselves simply because they do not have the means to fight for it alone.”
Chanel Mbaeyi
Los Angeles County Public Defenders (Los Angeles, CA)
Southern University Law Center
“I always wanted a job where I would help others and give a helping hand to the less fortunate. The work of a public defender will be rewarding and give me an opportunity to learn more within the criminal justice system.”
ShoMari Payne
Montgomery County Public Defender (Dayton, OH)
Northern Kentucky University Law School
“As an African American I have a deep reverence for how the law has been a vital tool in the fight for social and racial justice. I believe public defense is a branch from the tree of civil rights, and that every citizen is endowed a right to competent legal representation.”
Michael Gibson
Montgomery County Public Defender (Dayton, OH)
Southern University Law Center
“I’m passionate about public defense because my primary reason for attending law school was to advocate for those who lack a voice. One of my strengths is building strong relationships with the people I meet and making them feel truly heard. When people feel understood, they are more likely to open up about their struggles, and I want to create that trust with my future clients. I aim to ensure that everyone I represent feels genuinely advocated for and holds onto hope that they will receive justice.”
Jaelyn Guiton
Montgomery County Public Defender (Dayton, OH)
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
“The experience of being someone who needed others to advocate for me emphasized the importance of advocating zealously and listening to the people for whom I advocate. My deep-rooted value of community service created an unfettered desire to assist others, even when they cannot provide compensation.”
Kaija Jones
Colorado Office of the State Defender
University of Maryland Law Scool
“I decided to go to law school because I realized how little people like my family members knew about their rights and wanted to do something that empowered them.”
Jasmine Hatcher
Colorado Office of the State Defender
Southern University Law Center
“I want to be there to support and encourage those who may not have anyone else. Additionally, I have noticed the effects of mass incarceration on the black community, specifically, and I desire to be apart of the solution. I believe this opportunity with the BPDA would benefit me by expanding my knowledge and experience to further my career.”
Shawndareus Watkins
Colorado Office of the State Defender
Southern University Law Center
“Mistakes happen and small things can become bigger if not handles correctly. I want to be someone who can help someone solve their problems.”
Jhalen Blackburn
Minnesota Board of Public Defense
Southern University Law Center
“The criminal justice system is strong and can permanently alter people’s lives. Unfortunately, it frequently benefits the rich while the underprivileged fight for equitable treatment. I want to work as a public defender so that everyone has an exceptional advocate, regardless of their financial situation.”
