Gideon's Promise

It's always exciting to recognize our alumni! This month, we are proud to shine the spotlight on Atteeyah Hollie, distinguished faculty member and an alumna from the Class of 2010. Atteeyah Hollie is the Deputy Director for the Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights, where she started her career as an intern in 2002. Mrs. Hollie has litigated cases challenging the denial of the right to counsel for people experiencing poverty in Georgia. She has also fought against illegally closed courtrooms, wealth-based detention, inhumane prison and jail conditions, the denial of utility services because of court debt, and extreme sentencing in Georgia. She earned her B.A. in History from Dartmouth College in 2002 and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law in 2010. Atteeyah cherishes her wonderful family, which includes her mom, husband, and two sons.

Our training is essential in equipping public defenders to challenge injustices and champion fair treatment and due process for all individuals.

CORE 101 aims to instill a client-centered value system, provide top-notch attorney training, and build a network of public defenders dedicated to transforming public defense.

Summer Institute brings together talented and experienced public defenders from across the country to advance the standards of justice! This conference is part of a larger training program that spans 3 years for each participant and is designed to build and refine their skills, preparing them to advocate fiercely for their clients. To read the full press release, please visit: https://zurl.co/1a0e

Many people choose this work because they care. Many people choose this work because it matters. Many choose this work because they want to transform the landscape of justice. 💙

✨👏 Class of 2020 alumna, Chelsea Champion, was prominently featured in the 2023 Annual Report as our Alumni Spotlight! In her spotlight, she shares her experiences during our annual training programs and the strength she found while navigating the complex system and serving her clients. Check out page 11 to read her story: https://zurl.co/URIL

👉 Check out the 2023 Gideon’s Promise Annual Report! Make sure you’re in the know with Gideon’s Promise. Read the full report: https://zurl.co/75Y2

We are proud to announce that longtime supporter, JaKathryn Ross has been selected as our newest board member. JaKathryn Ross is the Senior Director of Community Affairs for Georgia Pacific. She specializes in advancing Georgia-Pacific’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. She also served as the Founding Executive Director of Youth Entrepreneurs® Georgia and an adjunct professor at Morehouse College. Our community is deeply committed to promoting public defense and educating others about its importance. Our Board of Director’s passion serves as a reminder of the power of collective action to bring positive change to the criminal legal system.

💙🇺🇸 On July 4, 1776, the United States declared its independence, marking a significant moment in history to celebrate freedom and liberty. However, it's important to acknowledge that the reality of freedom was not universally experienced until the abolition of slavery in 1865, and even then, not everyone had equal access to the American dream. Frederick Douglass, a prominent leader and abolitionist, delivered a powerful speech in which he eloquently expressed the difference between the ideals of freedom on Independence Day and the harsh realities faced by African Americans at that time. Read this post from the Vera Institute of Justice to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eyWWrKdq

The Georgia CORE 101 program represents a significant stride towards justice. Over the past few months, defenders from across our home state have traveled to Atlanta to train with our Gideon's Promise faculty to improve their trial skills and connect with other dedicated defenders. This weekend concludes the last session! We are incredibly grateful to our partners for their support of our mission.