Meet Our People
Jalyn is an eeconomics major and a BEJI Program Facilitator who thinks community and support are everything. They do this work because they want to help build a community centered around prison reform and activism, and to be part of a support network for folks making the transition back into society. She's no stranger to big goals; she climbed the Great Wall of China.
Adah is a PEP Course Facilitator currently pursuing a B.A. in Politics and Sociology. Adah is committed to this work because the more she learns, the angrier she feels about the inequities of the U.S. judicial system. She is passionate about working toward criminal justice reform, and one way of doing this is helping with the reentry process. (She's also a huge Tom Brady fan!)
Jessi Brewer is a 4th year PhD student in the English Department, specializing in Victorian literature. She has a particular focus on the emergence of the modern penitentiary system, where she examines the role of the literary imagination during this pivotal period in carceral history. Her work is dedicated to exploring how narratives and the study of literature can contribute to addressing pressing social problems. She is passionate about carceral justice and prison reentry resources. Her work with BEJI began in 2021 where she has been a tutor coordinator for Clemente Course, a facilitator for PEP, an instructor for the How to College Program in partnership with the Department of Corrections, and the PEP director for the 2022-2023 year. Additionally, she has served as the PEP communications team lead and administrator. When she is not reading or writing, Jessi is also an avid birder.
Angelia Jefferson is a motivational speaker, storyteller, and an activist against the injustice of the carceral system. She has been on several panel discussions with Harvard University and Suffolk Law School regarding the criminal justice system, how the prison system and mass incarceration has impacted women and families of color, and the lack of medical care for incarcerated women. She has participated in movements supporting no cost calls, the national clemency campaign, and ending life without parole sentences. Angelia didn’t let her time do her. She chose to do her time by earning her BA in Liberal Arts and Culinary Arts, becoming a certified dog trainer with the VetDog program and the NEADS service dog program, and becoming a certified cosmetologist. As a directly affected person, Angelia continues to use her voice to raise awareness for all women and girls affected by the criminal justice system. As she gains knowledge through various restorative justice outlets, she continues to be a beacon of hope of what a new beginning can look like. In her leisure time, she loves volleyball and skateboarding.
Nemma Kalra, a PEP facilitator, is majoring in psychology and anthropology. She thinks re-entry is often overlooked when examining matters of carceral justice, and loves how PEP is able to form a safe and supportive community for returning citizens. She likes to play the guitar.
Kim Pate is pursuing a master's degree in Coexistence/Conflict Resolution and Sustainable International Development. She is currently a PEP Graduate Facilitator who believes addressing the systemic issues of mass incarceration begins with community building. Her favorite weekend activities are camping and hiking.
Batya Schwarz graduates next year with her degree in psychology and sociology. She is a teaching assistant in Suffolk County Prison; she does this work to meet people who see the world differently than she does, and to do her part to assist people experiencing incarceration.
Ella is majoring in politics and minoring in legal studies and history. She currently works at BEJI as a marketing/social media intern, and at PEP as a workshop facilitator. Ella is passionate about engaging in discussions regarding carceral awareness and restorative justice. She plans to work toward criminal justice reform after she graduates. She also plays on the Brandeis varsity tennis team!
