2025 Community Engagement Fellows
About the BPDA Community Engagement Fellowship
The BPDA Community Engagement Fellowship is a 12-week summer program that pairs undergraduate and graduate students, who aspire to do community defense work, with public defender offices.
The Community Engagement Fellows are given hands-on lessons about addressing systemic issues that plague the legal system. They also have the opportunity to support their hosting public defender office to implement a project or program that expands its outreach to their communities.
Meet the 2025 Fellows
Azariah Crosby
Cuyahoga County Office of the Public Defender (Cleveland, OH)
Central State University
“Attending an HBCU has given me unique insights into the struggles faced by
underserved communities. I have engaged with peers and have had outreach with surrounding communities who have experienced the very issues this fellowship seeks to address. For example, from limited access to legal representation to the more deeply rooted distrust between communities and the justice system. In my time at Central State University, I have seen how systemic inequalities affect real people, not just statistics or numbers from a graph. These experiences have fueled my desire to work in public defense and advocate for individuals who often face the harshest consequences of an unjust system.”
Abbriel Weathersby
The Legal Aid Society (NYC)
Chaflin University
“My passion for law was ignited by the wrongful killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012. His death, in addition to the events that followed, placed a raging fire inside of me, fighting to break free. Enclosed in that fire was my opinion fighting my insides, so it could breathe the underestimated truths of the state of not only our judicial system but our nation. This was the first experience where I felt a burning passion to help give a hopeless family justice through advocacy, legal understanding and demonstrated support. I wanted to be a part of the driving force of people, like the BPDA, who sheds light on those who endure injustice and do not have the financial means to reap some form of justice.”
Prinesha Smith
Montgomery County Public Defender (Dayton, OH)
Central State University
Lianna Shakoor
Montgomery County Public Defender (Dayton, OH)
University of Dayton
“As a former general member of the UD Innocence Project chapter and a current general member of the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, I am invested in advocating for fairness in the criminal justice system and advancing civil rights. These experiences have strengthened my passion for community development and equipped me with a strong foundation to contribute meaningfully to this fellowship.”
Sylvia Nganga
Defender Association of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)
Howard University
“I am applying for the BPDA Community Engagement Fellowship because I believe that public defender offices must be deeply connected to the communities they serve. This connection is critical in fostering trust and ensuring that marginalized communities receive compassionate and effective advocacy. Black public defenders and legal professionals play an essential role in bridging the gap between the legal system and Black communities. Representation matters especially when the individuals fighting for clients also reflect the backgrounds of those they serve, it fosters a sense of trust, relatability, and commitment that is often lacking in the legal system.”
Miranda Williamson
Virginia Indigent Defense Commission
Christopher Newport University
“This fellowship aligns perfectly with my goal of becoming a criminal defense attorney committed to dismantling systemic barriers and advocating for those whom society often neglects. I am eager to learn from seasoned public defenders, gain practical experience, and collaborate with like-minded peers who share my commitment to justice.”
Chibuike Uguwa
Virginia Indigent Defense Commission
University of Virginia
“Environmental injustice, like so many other systemic failures, disproportionately burdens Black and low-income communities, reinforcing cycles of disenfranchisement. I came to understand that justice requires more than legal protections; it requires ensuring communities have the power to advocate for themselves and demand accountability.
The Black Public Defender’s Association (BPDA) Community Engagement Fellowship aligns with my commitment to confronting injustice at its roots by centering the voices and experiences of those most affected.”
Psalm Lawrence
Brooklyn Defender Services (Brooklyn, NY)
University of Texas, Austin
“I am now more determined than ever to pursue a legal career focused on advocacy and fairness and am aware now more than ever that the journey of law is difficult and life-changing and I am embarking on this journey with great humility and an open mind to learn.
My unique experiences and alignment with BDPA’s mission have ignited my interest in this fellowship, and I am excited about the chance to grow as an aspiring minority attorney.”
Aeryon Jackson
Contra Costa Office of the Public Defender (Martinez, CA)
Clark Atlanta University
“As a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Psychology at Clark Atlanta University, my passion for legal advocacy is deeply rooted in both personal experiences and a strong commitment to social justice.
BPDA was founded to combat the severe underrepresentation of Black public defenders in a system that disproportionately impacts Black and brown individuals, a mission that resonates deeply with my personal experiences and commitment to addressing these inequities.
Throughout my life, I have witnessed the need for Black representation, especially Black women, in the legal field. I have also seen how systemic barriers limit access to fair legal defense, which is why I want to be part of the solution..”
