Last year bore witness to the triple pandemic of COVID-19, the California wildfires, and the racial reckoning in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. They were defining events of this generation, maybe of our lifetimes. While sometimes it is better to leave the past in the past, we would do well to remember the stories of resilience that kept us inspired and grounded.

I draw inspiration from our tireless public interest fellows like Maddie and Princess, who rendered high-quality services to their clients all across the state, whether from inside prisons or at the U.S./Mexico Border. I think of our grantee partners, like the California Indian Law Association, who pivoted their work to the online space in order to meet the complex legal needs of the Native American community.

2020 showed us in stark terms that our country desperately needs courageous leaders who uphold the humanity of all. Our scholars, fellows, and grantee partners are those who we have been waiting for, and we are privileged to have played a role in empowering them on their journeys.

I’m proud of our team – the staff and board of ChangeLawyers – for weathering the storm. And thanks to the support of all of you, we moved one step closer to a better justice system for all Californians. ​