Destinee Dickson

As a child, I spent many weekends visiting my stepfather in private prisons. I could not understand why our visits required hours of driving or why I had to take the wheels off my Heelys to pass through security. But over time, I started noticing patterns. My stepfather's fellow inmates, many of whom came from communities of color, often shared similar stories of harsh sentences. The common thread was that those with public defenders often faced worse outcomes than those who could afford private attorneys. Even as a young girl, it was impossible to ignore the injustice.

By middle school, my curiosity turned into action. I began researching parole laws and trying to understand how I could help my stepfather. Every weekend visit became an opportunity to share my findings with him, urging my parents to consider hiring an attorney. Eventually, we did, and he was released in time to celebrate major milestones like my high school graduation. These early experiences not only bonded us as a family but also planted the seed for my passion for justice and systemic change.

When I got to the University of Oklahoma, being a first-generation college student brought its own set of challenges. I didn't have anyone in my family who could explain FAFSA or how to navigate office hours. But instead of letting those hurdles overwhelm me,I leaned into them. I co-founded the Black Emergency Response Team (B.E.R.T.) to advocate for Black students on campus. When a racist incident occurred, I worked with other student leaders to organize an overnight march that rallied over a thousand people. Our efforts led to real conversations with university leaders about increasing diversity among faculty and addressing systemic inequities. By the time I graduated, B.E.R.T. was recognized as a transformative organization, and I even had the opportunity to participate in the hiring of the university's new provost. This experience showed me that advocacy isn't just about identifying problems--it's about finding solutions.

After college, I found myself in Washington, D.C., standing at the steps of the Supreme Court with a homemade sign, joining thousands of others protesting the Dobbs leak. That moment reaffirmed my commitment to protecting fundamental rights, especially for women of color. It's what led me to work with the ACLU, where I focused on reproductive justice and policy advocacy. Those early Saturday mornings spent researching laws to help my stepfather had grown into a full-fledged passion for creating systemic change.

Now, as a second-year law student at UCLA, I continue to draw from my experiences as a first-generation college student. Law school is challenging, but my background has taught me how to adapt and persevere. I've taken on leadership roles, such as serving as the External Vice President of the Student Bar Association, where I've worked to create spaces for students to connect and thrive. I've also been deeply involved with the Western Region of the Black Law Students Association, mentoring younger students and organizing events to build community and celebrate diversity.

What drives me most is knowing that my story isn't unique. There are countless families in California who face the same barriers mine did. Whether it's navigating a legal system that feels stacked against them or accessing opportunities in education, the challenges are real. But so is the potential for change. My lived experiences give me the ability to connect with clients and communities on a deeper level. I've been where they are, and I know what it takes to advocate for meaningful solutions.

California is a state defined by its diversity, but that also means its challenges are just as varied. My goal is to bring my unique perspective to the legal profession, whether that's through policy reform, post-conviction advocacy, or mentoring the next generation of lawyers. I want to ensure that justice is accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.

At the end of the day, I'm driven by the memory of that little girl in sparkly Heelys, sitting across from her stepfather in a prison visitation room, trying to make sense of a system that seemed impossible to change. She is the reason I push forward. I want to build a future where children don't have to grow up thinking that injustice is inevitable. By combining my personal experiences with my legal training, I hope to make that vision a reality for the communities of California and beyond.