Our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Summer Internship Reception was held at the Hilton Harrisburg on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. 

The event was an evening of celebration and inspiration as we reflected on the remarkable legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honored the accomplishments of our interns, who have spent their summer providing critical legal services to underserved communities throughout Pennsylvania.

We were proud to honor the Class of 2023 for their dedication to advancing social justice and equity: 

Neeraja Aravindan     Rutgers Law School Class of 2024 Host Program: Community Legal Services	Celina Flores    Penn State Dickinson Law Class of 2024    Host Program: PA Health Law Project
Mariama Barry     Penn State Dickinson Law Class of 2025    Host Program: Community Justice Project	John “JP” Leskovich    University of Pittsburgh School of Law Class of 2025    Host Program: Neighborhood Legal Services
Hosu Chang     University of Iowa College of Law Class of 2024 Host Program: Pennsylvania Utility Law Project	Davis Logan    University of Wisconsin Law School Class of 2024    Host Program: Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
Winnie Chen Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law Class of 2024 Host Program: Philadelphia Legal Assistance	Kamia McDaniels    Widener University Delaware Law School Class of 2024     Host Program: Southwestern PA Legal Aid
Andrea Faulknor     Penn State Dickinson Law Class of 2024    Host Program: MidPenn Legal Services	Mylon Medley    Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Class of 2024 Host Program: PA Institutional Law Project

In celebration of our momentous 50th anniversary, it was our great honor to have Edith Benson, one of the instrumental figures behind the establishment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Summer Internship Program, as our Keynote Speaker this year. Edith played a pivotal role in empowering and uplifting our Network’s minority staff during the transformative decades of the 1980s and 1990s, a contribution that earned her well-deserved recognition with an Excellence Award. We were delighted to welcome her back to share her insights and experiences as an advocate for justice and equality.

The reception began at 5:15 PM, providing guests with an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and enjoy light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. The recognition program commenced at 6:00 PM, featuring an address from our Keynote Speaker and reflections from the interns’ Drum Major Essay Collection. 

Reception Program Agenda

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Opening Remarks

Introduction of Featured Speaker 
Arlene Marshall-Hockensmith, Esq.

Featured Speaker 
Edith Benson, Esq.

Executive Director Remarks
Jayme Cassidy, Esq.

Recognition Ceremony
Class of 2023 Interns

Introduction of Intern Class Speaker 
Arlene Marshall- Hockensmith, Esq.

Intern Class Speaker 
Mylon Medley 

Themes and Observations
Jayme Cassidy, Esq.

Closing Remarks
Arlene Marshall-Hockensmith, Esq.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Program is made possible through generous funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the Pennsylvania IOLTA Board, and the invaluable support of private sponsors. Their investment enables us to cultivate a new generation of leaders who embody Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of equality, justice, and compassion.

If you share our commitment to creating a brighter future and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to show your support.