{"id":18877,"date":"2024-06-10T18:20:56","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T18:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/?page_id=18877"},"modified":"2024-08-09T15:30:42","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T15:30:42","slug":"justicebrendaakpan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/","title":{"rendered":"JusticeBrendaAkpan"},"content":{"rendered":"<style type=\"text\/css\"><\/style>\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light home-banner\" style=\"min-height: 50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns home-banner-column is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column home-banner-left-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis: 60%;\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8322\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/LI-LawAdvocacy-Website-LOGO-MAIN-2.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-student-name\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-montserrat-font-family has-custom-font\" style=\"color: #8b2927; font-size: 51px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 500; font-family: Montserrat;\">Brenda Akpan<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns slider-1-block is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column slider-1-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"color: #445aa3; font-size: 31px; line-height: 1;\"><em>The Bullis School<\/em><br \/><em>Class of 2027<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\">Interned with The Law Office of Rebecca Bloch on a life-changing case.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\">Collaborated with top law professors and experts to prepare an expert witness for trial.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\">Advocated for an issue of national importance that directly affects the client and the criminal legal system on Capitol Hill to congressmen, senators, and congressional officials.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"learn-more-button has-text-color\" style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\"><strong><em>Learn more about Brenda here.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns slider-block is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column slider-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\">Brenda chose the Advanced Law and Justice Reform Internship. She chose this program because she is  motivated to make a change in people\u2019s lives and be the push they need to move forward. This program will also help he have a feel of being a lawyer the challenges she may face. Brenda would also love to give people justice they deserve and prove they are capable of making a positive impact on their improved self. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\">As a rising sophomore at Bullis School, Brenda is a high achieving high honor roll student who is enrolled in all Honors and AP courses at her school. Since Brenda is a freshman, her school limits the amount of contribution she can put in her school but that does not stop her. Brenda participated in the elections of SGA representative for her grade, contributes in the service activities, and joins multiple clubs. Brenda is a strong believer on identity, so this year she joined her schools Black Student Union Club to learn more about other people\u2019s cultures and herself. She is also enrolled in Leadership, and Public Speaking electives. In the future, Brenda hopes to have a chair in her sister\u2019s club called Medical Minds and her African and Caribbean Heritage club. Brenda and her sister are very close and they have similar ideas on many of these things. Brenda also participates on her school\u2019s volleyball team, as well as her club team outside of school. Lastly, Brenda goes to her home country, Nigeria, every year to give back to those in need. In the future, she hopes to create a community social impact club, so she can give back to those in her community.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\">This summer Brenda is excited to meet new people and work on forming relationships, as that \r\nis a key part in working together on necessary projects. She is also excited in working on making a change in people\u2019s lives and give them the hope they have been longing for.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"learn-more-button-neuro has-text-color\" style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 200;\"><strong><em>Read more about Brenda&#8217;s achievements here.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column home-banner-right-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis: 40%;\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7887\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Copy-of-Brenda_Akpan_2024_IMG_9124.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light my-neuroscience-training\" style=\"min-height: 50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<h2 id=\"h-my-law-advocacy-training\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color: #445aa3; font-size: 51px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600;\">My Law &amp; Advocacy Training<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns my-neuroscience-training-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-4 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my-neuroscience-training-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full my-neuroscience-training-column-image\"><a href=\"#IRAA\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8352\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/law-highlight-3-min.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"color: #ffffff; font-size: 29px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.21;\"><a href=\"#IRAA\">IRAA Brief<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my-neuroscience-training-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full my-neuroscience-training-column-image\"><a href=\"#witness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8351\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/law-highlight-2-min.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"color: #ffffff; font-size: 29px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.21;\"><a href=\"#witness\">Witness<br \/>Preparation<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my-neuroscience-training-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full my-neuroscience-training-column-image\"><a href=\"#advocacy\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8350\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/law-highlight-min.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"color: #ffffff; font-size: 29px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.21;\"><a href=\"#advocacy\">Congressional<br \/>Advocacy<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my-neuroscience-training-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full my-neuroscience-training-column-image\"><a href=\"#highlights\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8353\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/law-highlight-4-min.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"color: #ffffff; font-size: 29px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.21;\"><a href=\"#highlights\">Mentor &amp; Expert<br \/>Collaboration<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"IRAA\" class=\"wp-block-cover is-light my-research-proposal\" style=\"min-height: 50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns my-research-proposal-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my-research-proposal-left-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<h2 id=\"h-my-iraabrief\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color: #3b5ea9; font-size: 51px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600;\">My YRA<br \/>Motion<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.3;\">Throughout the internship, I learned about different aspects of being a lawyer and explored the importance of legal writing as a central part of the profession. As a legal intern, I wrote an Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) motion to remove my client\u2019s conviction from their record. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.3;\">Rebecca Bloch of The Law Office of Rebecca Bloch walked me through how to write a proper motion in legal formatting and include all relevant content.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.3;\">As part of an YRA motion, I sifted through legal documents, exhibits, and case precedent and conducted client interviews. I compiled pertinent information to put into a comprehensive briefing containing reasoned arguments about why my client deserved a sentence set aside under D.C. Code \u00a7 24-906 C2.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my-research-proposal-right-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img class=\"wp-image-9331\" src=https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Untitled-design-40.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"witness\" class=\"wp-block-cover is-light the-frontier-of-neuroscience expert-witness-preperation\" style=\"min-height: 50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<h2 id=\"h-oral-argument-preparation\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-background has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"color: #ffffff; background-color: #8b2927; font-size: 51px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.5;\">Oral Argument Preparation<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns the-frontier-of-neuroscience-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column the-frontier-of-neuroscience-left-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis: 60%;\">\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 23px; letter-spacing: 0px;\"><strong><strong>The Basics of <strong>Oral Argumentation<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.25;\">To help the legal team prepare their YRA Motion, I had to create a compelling argument on various sections of the briefing, including the client\u2019s history, community involvement, and rehabilitation, but also critically evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in terms of their effectiveness in a courtroom setting and their impact on a judge.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.25;\">I learned about oral arguments from real lawyers and was able to work with my peers to develop strong legal strategies.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column the-frontier-of-neuroscience-right-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis: 40%;\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8363\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/gavel-and-scales-min.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns the-frontier-of-neuroscience-columns-2 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column the-frontier-of-neuroscience-right-column-2 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8364\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Copy-of-Brenda_Akpan_2024_IMG_9763-1-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column the-frontier-of-neuroscience-left-column-2 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 23px; letter-spacing: 0px;\"><strong><strong><strong>How We Prepared Our <strong>Oral Argument<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.25;\">At the end of the internship, I had the opportunity to present my argument to the legal team and my peers, which included my recommendations to strengthen the case.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.25;\">I presented different facts of the case and the mitigating factors that could influence the outcome of the YRA motion and conviction set aside request. This part was crucial in demonstrating our problem-solving skills and contributed meaningfully to the legal strategy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.25;\">This is important because now the legal team has a variety of different perspectives to include in the briefing and has recommendations for the client to improve their standing in court.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light my-research-proposal-presentation my-legal-research\" style=\"min-height:50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\" id=\"advocacy\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns my-research-proposal-presentation-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column advocacy-left is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:579px\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Copy-of-Brenda_Akpan_2024_IMG_9326.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9331\" width=\"584\"\/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-column my-research-proposal-presentation-right-column congressional-advocacy is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-text-color\" id=\"h-my-congressional-advocacy\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:51px;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">My Congressional Advocacy<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:200;line-height:1.3\">Throughout the internship, I developed skills to effectively advocate on behalf of my client to congressional officials. To prepare for my meetings, I developed informative briefing materials with my team, which focused on improving the criminal legal system.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:200;line-height:1.3\">On Capitol Hill, we highlighted an issue within the criminal legal system to congressional representatives and advocated for possible solutions to the harrowing issues present throughout the system. My team and I worked to ensure we had facts, statistics, and compelling stories to share with our representatives. After our meeting, we followed up with our representatives to call for further action.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light Internship-Highlights\" style=\"min-height:50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\" id=\"advocacy\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" id=\"h-internship-highlights\" style=\"color:#3e5ba9;font-size:51px;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Internship Highlights<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-atbs-tabs atbs__tabs_ef47ec10\" id=\"highlights\"><ul class=\"atbs__tab-labels left make-active-tab-separate-less\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"tabbed content\"><li class=\"atbs__tab-label active\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"true\" aria-label=\"Rebecca Bloch\" tabindex=\"0\">Rebecca Bloch<\/li><li class=\"atbs__tab-label\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-label=\"Justice Policy Institute\" tabindex=\"0\">Justice Policy Institute<\/li><li class=\"atbs__tab-label\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-label=\"Second Look\" tabindex=\"0\">Second Look<\/li><li class=\"atbs__tab-label\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-label=\"Free Minds\" tabindex=\"0\">Free Minds<\/li><li class=\"atbs__tab-label\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-label=\"Prison &#038; Justice Initative\" tabindex=\"0\">Prison &#038; Justice Initative<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"atbs__tab-content\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-atbs-tab atbs__tab-panel\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"Rebecca Bloch\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Untitled-design-38.png\" alt=\"Law 2 Rebecca Bloch min\" class=\"wp-image-5292 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Rebecca Bloch is the managing attorney for the Law Office of Rebecca Bloch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Ms. Bloch has worked in the legal field since 2007 as a public defender in Colorado and the District of Columbia. Ms. Bloch has defended the rights of individuals accused of virtually every type of crime, from petty offenses to the most serious of felonies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Currently, Ms. Bloch is drafting briefs on behalf of individuals serving prison sentences who are seeking IRAA release due to outstanding behavior, rehabilitation, and other factors under D.C. Code \u00a7 24-403.03.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-atbs-tab atbs__tab-panel\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"Justice Policy Institute\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Untitled-design-39.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14371 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Ms. Shekhinah Braveheart is the Justice Policy Institute\u2019s Advocacy Associate and focuses on bringing communities impacted by the criminal legal system to the forefront and ensuring they have a voice in policy reform. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Mr. Braveheart hosted a conversation about the importance of partnerships between advocates, the legal field, and the impacted parties and the challenges within the field of reform. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">I saw the importance of equipping communities with the tools to engage in policy reform efforts and ensuring that those impacted have a voice in reform.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-atbs-tab atbs__tab-panel\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"Second Look\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Untitled-design-36.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14509 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Ms. Keah Beeftu, a Staff Attorney at the Second Look Project, has dedicated her work to helping provide representation for those eligible for resentencing under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Ms. Beeftu walked me and my fellow interns through the history of sentencing reduction in the District of Columbia and gave advice to me regarding the writing process of motions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">I learned more about the process of writing a motion and had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions regarding sentencing reform in Washington, D.C. <\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-atbs-tab atbs__tab-panel\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"Free Minds\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Untitled-design-37.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14370 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Poet Ambassadors from the Free Minds Book Club &#038; Writing Workshop, a DC-based nonprofit that uses literature and creative writing to build community with incarcerated youth and adults, spoke with us about how Free Minds has an impact on currently incarceration and returning citizens.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">I learned about the importance of support systems during the IRAA and YRA processes and how Free Minds uses writing and book clubs as networks for people during and after incarceration.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">The Poet Ambassadors have developed creative solutions to the issues that have ramifications on them and their communities which taught me to seek remedies for problems I identify.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-atbs-tab atbs__tab-panel\" role=\"tabpanel\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-labelledby=\"Prison &#038; Justice Initative\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Untitled-design-35.png\" alt=\"Law 2 James Zeigler min\" class=\"wp-image-5290 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">Marc Howard is the founding director of the Prison and Justice Initiative at Georgetown University. Founded in 2016, the Prison and Justice Initiative has four programs that tackle criminal legal reform by focusing on incarceration and recidivism. Momolou Stewart was a part of one of these programs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">I learned about Dr. Howard\u2019s passion for criminal legal reform and what inspired his work. Dr. Howard spoke with the group about the prison industrial complex and the impact private prisons have on mass incarceration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"has-custom-lineheight\" style=\"font-size:17px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2\">I also learned that he truly believes that my generation is going to change the criminal legal system for the better.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-18877","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v15.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>JusticeBrendaAkpan - Leadership Initiatives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"JusticeBrendaAkpan - Leadership Initiatives\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Leadership Initiatives\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-08-09T15:30:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/LI-LawAdvocacy-Website-LOGO-MAIN-2.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/\",\"name\":\"Leadership Initiatives\",\"description\":\"Programs That Inspire Students To Transform The World\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/?s={search_term_string}\",\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/LI-LawAdvocacy-Website-LOGO-MAIN-2.png\",\"width\":648,\"height\":162},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/\",\"name\":\"JusticeBrendaAkpan - Leadership Initiatives\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-10T18:20:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-08-09T15:30:42+00:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/justicebrendaakpan\/\"]}]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18877"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27339,"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18877\/revisions\/27339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lichangesummer.org\/2024studentsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}