Our Executive Director
Alaina Bloodworth serves as the Executive Director of the Black Public Defender Association (BPDA). The Board of BPDA voted her in as Executive Director in January 2024. Prior to being named as Executive Director, she served as Interim Executive Director starting in August 2022 and served as Deputy Director starting in January 2022.
She is a graduate of Southern University A&M College and holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Juris Doctorate. Mrs. Bloodworth commenced her legal career as a public defender in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she not only practiced client-centered and zealous representation but also eventually assumed a supervisory role over attorneys handling criminal cases.
After being the only attorney of color in her courtroom for several years, she transitioned to the position of Director of Students at the East Baton Rouge Office of the Public Defender, marking a transformative period in her life. In this capacity, she skillfully managed the training and recruitment of student law clerks and investigators, establishing a pipeline from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Within five years, her strategic initiatives led to a notable increase in the office’s diversity, shifting from 33% attorneys of color to over 60%.
Mrs. Bloodworth’s advocacy extended beyond the courtroom as she assumed the role of Social Justice Chair for her local NAACP branch. There, she spearheaded impactful initiatives such as Bail Outs and actively contributed to shaping policy in Baton Rouge.
In 2021, she assumed the critical position of Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, leading collaborative efforts with the community that resulted in the dismissal of 700 cases due to police corruption.
“I am thrilled and feel extremely honored to embark on this transformative journey as the leader of this bold and amazing organization. Excitement fuels my commitment to supporting Black defenders who tirelessly fight for their communities across the country. I am confident that our collective efforts will enhance the way defense is provided to our communities. Together, we will forge a path of empowerment, resilience, and positive change, embodying the spirit of a brighter and more just future.”
— Alaina Bloodworth, Executive Director of BPDA
Since joining BPDA in 2022, Mrs. Bloodworth has been instrumental in launching 15 nationwide community engagement projects. These initiatives underscore BPDA’s steadfast commitment to supporting Black defenders and enhancing defense in low-income communities.
Mrs. Bloodworth’s exemplary leadership has garnered well-deserved accolades, including her appointment to the Woman’s Incarceration Taskforce by the Governor of Louisiana, the YWCA Greater Baton Rouge’s 2023 “Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women” Award, the NAACP “Freedom Fighter Award,” the 2021 Equity Justice Award from the Louisiana Bar Association, and the Gideon’s Promise 2020 Public Defender Ambassador Award.
“It is my honor and pleasure to congratulate Alaina Bloodworth on becoming the newest Executive Director of the Black Public Defender Association. She is an exemplary leader and fearless public defender, and I have no doubt that she will lead BPDA to greater heights. Having served in this same capacity, BPDA is near and dear to my heart, and I know that it is in good and capable hands with Alaina at the helm.”
— Heather N. Pinckney, Director of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia; Former Executive Director of BPDA
