2024 Fellows
Bruce Bryan
Bruce Bryan was wrongfully incarcerated at the age of 23 and went on to spend 29 years in a maximum-security prison in New. In 1997, Bruce enrolled in and completed a one-year liberal arts college course given by Duchess Community College. After completing this course, he enrolled in Rising Hope’s yearlong intensive theological studies course. In 2014 he graduated with his Associate degree in Humanities from Sullivan Community College, and in 2017, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Mercy College. He was also accepted into Columbia University business course, Reentry Accelerator Program, (REAP). After receiving executive clemency from New York State Governor Kathy in 2022, Bruce is currently employed as a Senior Client Advocate at the Queens Defenders where he works with a team of skilled attorneys that handle cases across a broad spectrum, ranging from misdemeanors to major trials and homicides. His work encompasses getting involved with clients and advocating for alternatives to incarceration.
Tristan Foster
Tristan Foster is a mentor and peer support advocate for 914United. He is also a Restorative Justice Practitioner at CLUSTER COMMUNITY SERVICES. He works directly with the criminal and family courts of New Rochelle and Yonkers, respectively, supporting and developing individualized juvenile justice plans for justice involved youth and young adults. He works with justice impacted and formally incarcerated individuals reconnecting them with resources, such as employment, housing, mental health, and mediation. Tristan was incarcerated at the age of 20, for 14 years and six months. He earned his GED on Riker’s Island, as well as college credits in Behavioral Science from Mercy and Topics in Neurobiology from Columbia university at Sing Sing correctional facility.
Kayla Hoang
Kayla Hoang is a senior studying History and English at the University of California, Irvine, who hopes to pursue a career in public policy and educational advocacy, both in a domestic and international context. Kayla has dedicated herself to criminal justice and incarceral reform through working with multiple programs as a tutor within carceral facilities from California to Washington D.C. She led multiple research and academic projects dedicated to understanding the transition from incarceration to higher education, as well as to provide resources and support for incarcerated individuals. Outside of her academics, Kayla is passionate about social advocacy and hopes to pursue more research regarding ethnic niches and enclaves in urban communities.
Andrew Jones
Andrew is a senior from Union College majoring in Political science and pursuing a minor in Environmental science. Andrew began to learn about the issues of the criminal justice system after writing a term paper focused on the correlation between recidivism rates and poor prison conditions and re-entry systems. He has continued educating himself about incarceration to create positive change for the system. Outside of academics, Andrew works as a Peer Mentor in the college's accommodative service office, where he mentors several first-year students as they acclimate to college life. He also plays on the college's rugby team.
Kyra Newman
Kyra, a recent graduate from the University of Michigan, boasts a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Law, Justice, and Social Change. She assumes the role of project lead for the Carceral State Project at her alma mater, where her focus lies on the conditions of confinement and resistance within prisons. Throughout her tenure at UM, Kyra showcased her leadership skills by spearheading various student organizations dedicated to law-related pursuits. Additionally, she contributed significantly as an intern at the AFSC office in Ypsilanti, where she passionately advocated for the improvement of living conditions for women serving life and long sentences in Michigan. Kyra is beyond grateful to join the Frederick Douglass Project Fellowship, eager to collaborate with and learn from those deeply knowledgeable about and impacted by the criminal legal system.
Ellie Poling
Ellie Poling is a senior at Georgetown University double majoring in Government and Mathematics, with a minor in Justice and Peace Studies. She is originally from Marco Island, Florida. She is very passionate about criminal justice and education and has spent much of her undergraduate career dedicated to these causes. She first engaged with the Douglass Project during her sophomore year while taking Prisons and Punishment, and has continued to engage with the team since then. She is eager to get started in this important work!
Alyssa Schmidt
Alyssa is a junior at American University studying an Interdisciplinary Public Policy major and Spanish Language. She has committed herself to learning more about Prison Reform by working with D.C. organizations, including Free Minds and the Georgetown Prisons and Justice Initiative. She is currently serving as a Program Leader at American University where she provides academic and social support to first year students. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys reading and swimming.