Black Public Defender Association (BPDA)

@BklynDefender @cocodefender @PhillyDefenders @LegalAidNYC Each site will share a brief overview of their work and how fellows will support their community-based efforts. 📆 February 18 | 7 PM ET / 6 PM CT 📍 Virtual 🔗 RSVP: bpda.blackdefender.org/2026CEFSeries

In the final session of our Community Engagement Fellowship (CEF) mini-series, you'll meet the confirmed host sites for the 2026 Fellowship. @BklynDefender, @cocodefender, Cuyahoga County Office of the Public Defender, @PhillyDefenders, @LegalAidNYC

For 2023 Community Engagement Fellow, Mykah Scott, public defense is personal. The Community Engagement Fellowship (CEF) creates space for students to engage in public defense beyond the courtroom. 📢 Applications for the CEF are open until February 27: bpda.blackdefender.org/4pHDpY1

What is it really like to work on the ground with public defender offices? Hear from 2025 CEF alumni Azariah Crosby, Psalm Lawrence, and Sylvia Nganga in Part 2 of our CEF mini-series. 📆 Feb 18 | Virtual | 7 PM ET 🔗 bpda.blackdefender.org/2026CEFSeries

What does community-centered advocacy look like in practice? Hear from Amari Harris (@VIDCsocial) in Part 1 of our CEF mini-series. 📆 Feb 18 | Virtual | 7 PM ET 🔗 bpda.blackdefender.org/2026CEFSeries

⚠️ ONLY 50 SEATS. We prioritize small-group discussion and deep engagement. Don’t miss your chance to sharpen your advocacy from the inside out. Register here: blackdefender.org/event/train-th…

What we cover: 📍 Antiracist design principles 📍 Managing power & resistance in the room 📍 Virtual facilitation tools 📍 Sustainability for trainers 🧵 (3/3)

We're holding our first Train the Trainer program, part of the re-launched Antiracism Training (ART) Institute! This 2-day virtual intensive equips trainers to design & facilitate through a deliberate racial lens. 🧵 (1/3)

Our Collective Access Program (CAP) helps build anti-racist public defender offices. Join CAP → membership@blackdefender.org Our Community Engagement Fellowship (CEF) builds the next generation of Black advocates. Apply to 2026 CEF → jotform.com/form/252894412… (Feb 27 deadline)

🚨 THE WAIT IS OVER! Applications for the 2026 BPDA Community Engagement Fellowship are LIVE! ✊🏾 Join us for a paid 10-week summer program for future advocates, social workers, & investigators. 📅 Application Open until Feb 27 🔗 Learn more + apply: blackdefender.org/community-enga…

If you’re a law student, fellow, or public defender looking for your next opportunity, our job board is for you: ow.ly/MGX550XT7Gs We're sharing jobs from offices in our Collective Access Program (CAP). 📩 Not a CAP member? Email: membership@blackdefender.org

🎉 Happy New Year from BPDA. Here’s to a 2026 rooted in justice, community, and liberation. #newyear #happynewyear

Wishing you rest, peace, and time with the people who ground you. Grateful for this community today and every day. We’ll be out of the office for the holidays and back on January 5. Happy Holidays ❤️

BPDA is building a pipeline of Black advocates fighting mass incarceration. Our Community Engagement Fellowship is key to that work. 25+ Fellows placed nationwide. Support the next cohort: blackdefender.org/donate Thanks @NFLFoundation for supporting our work

Mark your calendars for our 2026 Summer Conference! 📍 Brooklyn, NY 📆 June 16–18, 2026 A gathering for healing, power, and purpose. More details soon.

We’re working to raise $50,000 to support BPDA Fellows and expand holistic public defense nationwide. Help us invest in the next generation of Black defenders. Donate → blackdefender.org/donate

Aeryon Jackson spent her summer serving clients and communities at @cocodefender — and her impact is exactly why BPDA invests in emerging Black defenders. Help us make more stories like hers possible → blackdefender.org/donate

Michael’s BPDA Fellowship at @mcpdohio gave him more than courtroom experience—it gave him mentorship, confidence, and a vision for the advocate he’s becoming. Help us support the next class of defenders: blackdefender.org/donate

Gratitude for every public defender, advocate, and partner working toward liberation and justice. We couldn’t do this work without community. 💛 #publicdefense #community