Black Public Defender Association (BPDA)

A national network of skilled Black defenders who identify with and come from the communities most disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system.

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

@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: https://t.co/ZM17DRy5df

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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: https://t.co/NLYOVwNBuo

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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
🔗 https://t.co/ZM17DRy5df

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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
🔗 https://t.co/ZM17DRy5df

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

⚠️ 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: https://t.co/LxBlpdh7Hc

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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)

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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

🧵 (3/3)

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

Our Collective Access Program (CAP) helps build anti-racist public defender offices. Join CAP → [email protected]

Our Community Engagement Fellowship (CEF) builds the next generation of Black advocates. Apply to 2026 CEF → https://t.co/uJLQi9NAkm (Feb 27 deadline)

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

🚨 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: https://t.co/UbueIOUo56

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

If you’re a law student, fellow, or public defender looking for your next opportunity, our job board is for you: https://t.co/HzFyohESUP

We're sharing jobs from offices in our Collective Access Program (CAP).
📩 Not a CAP member? Email: [email protected]

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

🎉 Happy New Year from BPDA.

Here’s to a 2026 rooted in justice, community, and liberation.

#newyear #happynewyear

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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 ❤️

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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: https://t.co/awdBcKCUlY

Thanks @NFLFoundation for supporting our work

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

Mark your calendars for our 2026 Summer Conference!
📍 Brooklyn, NY
📆 June 16–18, 2026

A gathering for healing, power, and purpose.
More details soon.

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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 → https://t.co/awdBcKCUlY

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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 → https://t.co/awdBcKCUlY

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

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: https://t.co/awdBcKCUlY

[Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) @BPDA_justice]

Gratitude for every public defender, advocate, and partner working toward liberation and justice.

We couldn’t do this work without community. 💛

#publicdefense #community