Stuart Schuman Award for Indigent Defense

We are thrilled to honor Keisha Hudson, Chief Defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, for her transformative leadership and lifelong commitment to justice. With over two decades of experience as a public defender, from trial work to death penalty appeals, Keisha has brought national attention to the essential role public defenders play in advancing systemic reform. Her work spans from the Capital Habeas Unit to her tenure as Deputy Chief Defender in Montgomery County, where she helped build one of the strongest defender offices in Pennsylvania. Since taking the helm in Philadelphia, Keisha has reshaped the Defender’s mission to center community, equity, and accountability. Her voice continues to propel the movement forward, reminding us that public defense is a form of public power. 

Returning Champion of Justice Award

We are deeply honored to recognize James Muhammed Taylor, who returned home this year after nearly five decades of incarceration. A visionary leader, mentor, and prison reform advocate, Mr. Taylor transformed his sentence into a lifetime of service, founding People Against Recidivism (PAR) while still incarcerated, mentoring countless others, and inspiring outside supporters to join the fight for justice. His work laid the foundation for PAR Recycling Works, a recycling business helping returning citizens build new lives. Named Prisoner of the Year by the Pennsylvania Prison Society, Mr. Taylor is living proof that people can change and that our justice system must be built on mercy and rehabilitation, not endless punishment. We celebrate his long-overdue freedom and his continued commitment to healing, dignity, and transformation.