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(Washington, D.C.) — The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and the Washington, D.C. office of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) announced the 2021 First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship (FirstGEN) Class Monday.   

The 2021 class of FirstGEN Fellows includes:  

  • Natalie Tran, a rising junior at Middlebury College, who is studying political science and education studies. Tran is on track to earn a secondary teaching license in social studies. 
  • Claudia Theagene, a recent graduate of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh, who holds a degree in political science and minors in legal and Africana studies. Theagene was a part of the National Black Law Student Association and student government during her time at SUNY Plattsburgh.
  • Sonia Paz Canton, a junior at Georgetown University, who is studying culture and politics with a concentration in human rights and a certificate in diplomacy. Upon completion of her degree, Canton hopes to attend law school. 
  • Rabiya Ismail, a rising senior at Tufts University who is studying political science and English, with a minor in peace and justice studies. Ismail is passionate about issues pertaining to immigration, homelessness and inequity in education. 
  • Nghi Lam, a junior at Colorado College, who is studying feminist and gender studies. Before FirstGEN, Lam worked at Yum Yum Morale, an anti-racism workplace consultancy as project manager.

“We are thrilled to welcome the 2021 class of FirstGEN fellows, and look forward to immersing them in civil rights work throughout the next few months,” said Ernest Bihm, program manager with the Educational Opportunities Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “As we continue to push for access and equity in higher education, it is imperative that we provide opportunities for first-generation students – our next generation of civic leaders – to build community and have support and resources to translate their passions towards social and racial justice into successful careers. The FirstGEN fellows program is a terrific opportunity to make certain these ideals are achieved.” 

FirstGEN is summer program for undergraduate students who are the first in their immediate families to attend college and who intend to pursue careers in social and racial justice. Fellows gain hands-on experience working on civil rights matters, participate in weekly advocacy training and professional development seminars, and join a growing community of emerging leaders in the FirstGEN Alumni Network.  

Find out more about the 2021 fellows. 

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About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes.  For more information, please visit https://lawyerscommittee.org.