Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall, born on July 2, 1908, in Baltimore, Maryland, was a pioneering figure in American legal history. His life's work was dedicated to dismantling racial segregation and championing civil rights through the legal system.

Marshall's journey began at Howard University Law School. Graduating cum laude in 1933, Marshall's commitment to justice led him to become the chief legal counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). A landmark moment in Marshall's career came in 1954 with the groundbreaking case of Brown v. Board of Education. As the lead attorney, he successfully argued that state-sponsored segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the infamous "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson.

In 1967, Thurgood Marshall made history once again by becoming the first African American appointed to the United States Supreme Court. During his 24-year tenure on the bench, Marshall continued his pursuit of justice, consistently advocating for the protection of individual rights and equality under the law. Thurgood Marshall passed away on January 24, 1993, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

Judge Denise McLaughlin-Bennett

The Honorable Denise McLaughlin-Bennett is a native of Southern California where she spent the majority of her childhood years living in the Cities of South Los Angeles and Carson. 

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Dominquez Hills in 1988 and her Juris Doctorate degree in 1991 from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law. 

After graduating from UCLA, Judge McLaughlin-Bennett began her legal career volunteering with the Community Outreach Development Institute, a “grassroots” law firm located in the City of Watts.  Shortly thereafter, she opened her own law firm, the Law Offices of Denise M. McLaughlin, which later became The McLaughlin Law Group.

As an attorney, she litigated many criminal and juvenile cases during her years of practice and received the Celebration of Excellence Award from the Inland Valley News in 2005 and the Rosa Parks NAACP Award in 2008 in recognition of her service to the field of law. 

She was appointed as a Judge to the Los Angeles Superior Court by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010. She is the first African American Judge to sit in the Antelope Valley, North Judicial District.

In May 2013, she became the Site Judge for the Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center in Lancaster, presiding in a Delinquency assignment which included running the Antelope Valley’s first Juvenile Drug Treatment Court and presiding over Teen Court for seven (7) years.

In April 2019, Judge McLaughlin-Bennett became the Assistant Supervising Judge of the North Judicial District. She was designated the Supervising Judge of the North Judicial District in 2023. In addition to her position as the Supervising Judge, she presides over a Community Collaborative Treatment Court which focuses on providing treatment for those suffering from mental illness, substance abuse, or who have served our country in the military. Her court focuses on providing services as an alternative to incarceration for criminal offenses. 

She has received numerous awards from her community in recognition of her service such as: the 2013 Antelope Valley “Judge of the Year”; the 2017, 2019 and 2023 Bridge Award for her contributions to improve College and Career Readiness for high school students within the Antelope Valley Union High School District; the 2016 Justice Sunday Award; the 2018 Phillip M. Schwabacher Award for distinguished legal and community service in the Antelope Valley; the 2018 Empowerment Award recognizing her efforts in the area of collaboration with DCFS, the Court and the Antelope Valley Community; and the 2024 Celebration of Excellence in Jurisprudence Award by the Inland Valley News in recognition of her work in her Collaborative Treatment Court.

Anouk Harvey 

Anouk Glosson-Harvey is a dedicated advocate for equitable education and justice, deeply influenced by the intersectionality between law and education. A recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles, with degrees in Sociology and Spanish, Anouk's passion for social justice and community service shines through her work and aspirations.

Currently serving as a substitute teacher in the Lancaster School District, Anouk is committed to applying her understanding of societal structures to foster a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. Her dedication to this cause is further exemplified by her recent appointment to the City of Lancaster Social Equity Commission, where she aims to contribute valuable insights on addressing issues of equitable access to education and healthcare.

Anouk's journey toward becoming an attorney has been a lifelong ambition, nurtured since the 5th grade by the unwavering support of her family and mentors, notably her high school speech and mock trial coach, Dana LaMon, a former judge who volunteered extensively to mentor students. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping Anouk's perspective on her potential and her future role in society.

During her sophomore year at UCLA, Anouk took pride in her work with the International Collegiate Health Initiative (ICHI), serving as a translator for free, mobile health care clinics in underrepresented communities throughout greater Los Angeles. This experience not only honed her skills in communication and empathy but also highlighted the critical need for accessible healthcare and personalized health education.

Looking ahead, Anouk is preparing to take the LSAT and apply to law school, with the goal of furthering her impact on the legal system and continuing her advocacy for social equity. Her story is one of ambition, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of justice, embodying the spirit of progress that drives the Lancaster community forward.