Ester Allen is a student at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), where she will graduate with her Associate’s degree in General Studies. She is also enrolled at the University of Baltimore, where she is pursuing a Legal Studies degree with the goal of entering the Juris Doctorate Program in Criminal Law. Ester’s ultimate goal is to become a criminal defense attorney and advocate for meaningful criminal justice reform. With a strong passion for reintegration and reducing recidivism, Ester brings both academic dedication and lived experience to her work. She was born in Northeast Washington, D.C. and raised in the Morrell Park neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Having personally been impacted by the justice system, she understands what it feels like to be on the other side of the courtroom and uses that perspective to connect with her community and future clients. What drew her to the Baltimore Witness internship was the opportunity to combine her writing skills and legal knowledge to report on real court cases while amplifying the voices of those often overlooked by the system. She is looking forward to growing both professionally and personally through this experience—using journalism as a tool for justice.