The RJ & DEIJ Corner: Meetups & Events Recaps (July to September 2025)
In this update, NAPD’s DEIJ Coordinator, Brittany Gail Thomas (BGT), Esq., recaps NAPD meetups and events related to racial justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice for the second half of 2025.
July 2025
Racial Justice Meetup: Black & Seasoned
Meetup Speaker: Stanford Hickman, Esq. (he/him/his)
To kick off the second half of the year, Stanford (“Stan”) Hickman, Esq. led the July 2025 edition of the Racial Justice Meetup with a lively discussion on racial justice, ageism, and his experiences as a mature Black practitioner in the legal system, highlighting the challenges faced by older professionals of color.
Through his Black & Seasoned discussion, Stan discussed the intersection of racial justice and ageism in the criminal legal system. Using his personal experiences with ageism in the office, Stan showed us how these examples translate into microaggressions that cause frustration and feelings of invalidation. Stan also posed this question to the meetup – How long is too long, as it relates to working in the Criminal Legal System?
Stan provided a very real yet refreshing discussion on the intersection of ageism and racial justice. He further reminded us that self-care, professional growth, and continuous learning in the legal profession has no age limit.
Many thanks to Stan for the laughs, enlightening information, and all of the wisdom you shared.
DEIJ Meetup: Bending the Arc: Navigating DEIJ in Public Defense Amidst Hostility & Misinformation
Meetup Speaker: Charles M. Fox, Jr. M.A.P.P. (he/him/his)
Next up in July, meetup speaker, Charles Fox, Jr., M.A.P.P set the meetup on fire with his phenomenal presentation – Bending the Arc: Navigating DEIJ in Public Defense Amidst Hostility & Misinformation.
In this meetup, Charles focused on the challenges and strategies in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work within public defense. He shared insights on the rise and fall of DEl initiatives following George Floyd’s death. Charles discussed the importance of meaningful DEl efforts despite the backlash, emphasizing the need for cultural humility, inclusive practices, and transformational change in legal representation.
He posed the question to the meetup – If the goal of DEIJ work is to ultimately no longer need to do it, knowing we aren’t even close to being at that point today, what does “Mission accomplished”/ successful DEIJ infrastructure look like to you?
The energy in the meetup was electric. Members shared personal experiences and concerns about the lack of progress in DEIJ and racial justice initiatives. Despite their concerns, members collectively voiced the importance of solidarity, support, and continued advocacy for clients facing systemic biases in the legal system.
This meetup was exactly what DEIJ leaders needed in such a time as these. We are grateful to Charles for motivating and inspiring us to fight on.
August 2025
In August, both meetups took a break.
September 2025
RESIST: A Meaningful Discussion on Defeating ICE & Fascism in the Interest of Racial Justice
Meetup Speaker: Eyvin Hernandez, Esq. (he/him/his)
The Racial Justice Meetup returned in September with a powerful presentation, RESIST: A Meaningful Discussion on Defeating ICE & Fascism in the Interest of Racial Justice, from Eyvin Hernandez, Esq. Eyvin bravely shared his harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in Venezuela, detailing the regime’s tactics, experiences with arbitrary detention, corruption within the judicial system, and the importance of resistance and solidarity among political prisoners. Eyvin stressed the importance of us staying aware of and resisting any forms of similar conduct of oppression in our communities and country.
Eyvin then led the meetup in a discussion about strategies for resistance against oppressive systems, including community organizing, legal challenges, and the role of organized labor, with members agreeing on the importance of continued engagement and support in the fight for racial justice.
Through his courage and authenticity, Eyvin inspired and challenged us to continue to stay in the fight for the greater good of our clients, communities, country, and world. Thank you, Eyvin.
DEIJ Meetup: Bias in our Legal Representation – Sharing Concerns and Experiences in Addressing Courts and Administrative Agencies, from the Challenge to Response
Meetup Speaker: John Lozada,(he/him/his)
John Lozada, Esq. led the September 2025 edition of the DEIJ Meetup with his informative presentation – Bias in our Legal Representation – Sharing Concerns and Experiences in Addressing Courts and Administrative Agencies, from the Challenge to Response.
Using demographic data and experiences from his state, John’s presentation focused on bias in legal representation by discussing concerns about fairness and respect in courts. He shared insights on the judiciary’s efforts to address bias, including initiatives to increase attorney staff and improve diversity, while also emphasizing the importance of constructive action and respect in the legal system.
Through examples of his experiences and observations of bias affecting clients and legal professionals, John emphasized the need for collective change. John also shared known judiciary’s efforts to address bias, and his agency’s initiatives to propose change. With his expertise, John also provided the meetup with approaches to combat bias in the courtroom.
John asked the meetup, concluding with a question –
If you could change one factor in how your state addresses bias in the courts, what would that be, and why?
The meetup concluded with members sharing their answering to John’s question. John further offered resources and his support to the meetup to help inspire us all to be the change and make the changes we want to see. We appreciate John for being a continuous support and guide for DEIJ and beyond.
October 2025
No meetups were scheduled in honor of RJC 2025.
All speakers presented and spoke from their own expertise and experiences. Their personal opinions and perspectives are not representative of the organization(s) they work for and/or with.