Today, we are proud to collaborate with several organizations that host Open Horizon-sponsored internships and fellowships.

One of our cherished partnerships is with the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), where this year we supported four Open Horizon summer interns. Initially, we planned to support three, but Executive Director Elizabeth G. Taylor creatively proposed a way to include a fourth intern focused on communications. The interns shared their reflections on the experience:

“My summer internship at NHeLP was unforgettable. It provided hands-on exposure to policy advocacy, professional development, and legal insights far beyond the classroom. The experience confirmed my passion for healthcare non-discrimination, gender-affirming care, and the due process rights of healthcare workers. I now see how I can continue integrating these issues into my legal practice, no matter what area of public interest I pursue.”

“I absolutely loved the projects, the team, and the topics I explored this summer. However, I did miss the direct client interactions. Still, I am confident that the skills I gained will be invaluable throughout my legal career, no matter what type of legal services I provide.”

We also maintain a strong partnership with the Council for Court Excellence (CCE) through the annual Open Horizon Criminal Justice Fellowship. This year, Georgetown Law graduate Morgan Grizzle worked on projects focused on criminal justice reform in Washington, D.C. Reflecting on her fellowship, Morgan shared:

“My year at CCE was incredible! I discovered the organization through my law school’s post-grad program and knew right away I wanted to be involved. Criminal legal reform has always been a passion of mine, and my fellowship was the perfect opportunity to deepen my understanding. I worked on a range of exciting projects, from facilitating meetings for the Criminal Justice Committee and the District Task Force on Jails and Justice, to co-authoring reports and our annual Criminal Legal System Overview. I feel so fortunate to have worked alongside such smart, passionate people at CCE, and I’m excited to carry what I’ve learned into my future career.”

And just this year we have formalized partnerships to expand our fellowship program with DC Justice Lab and DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF), and we are supporting the American Indian College Fund’s financial fellowship program. We are excited to share more about these fellowships below.

The Open Horizon DC Justice Lab Fellowship was created to elevate and empower advocates fighting for racial justice policy reform in the D.C. criminal legal system. 2 Fellows will contribute to transforming the District’s approach to punishment and public safety by crafting new and transformative public policy solutions to entrenched problems through instruction from experts.

The Open Horizon DCALF Heirs’ Property & Estate Planning Fellow will focus on increasing access to justice in probate and estate planning matters over 2 years. The Open Horizon DCALF Heirs’ Property & Estate Planning Fellow will join DCALF’s eight-person Probate & Estate Planning team and engage in direct representation, advice, and advocacy on behalf of DCALF clients and community members.

Open Horizon supports the American Indian College Fund’s Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship Program developed in response to the significant underrepresentation of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN) in the finance, banking, and investment industries. AIAN leaders in these sectors are needed now more than ever as historical socio-economic disparities for Native peoples continue to grow. The Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship Program broadly supports the interdependent goals of increased representation of Indigenous financial expertise, economic self-determination of Tribal Nations, and the preservation of tribal sovereignty.

These partnerships continue to be a vital part of our mission, creating meaningful opportunities for emerging leaders and building bridges between individuals and organizations committed to social justice.

By D’Lynn Jacobs, Open Horizon Executive Director