Shanice Scantlebury ’25, Yannick Twumasi ’25, and Cristian Vega ’25 have been named the 2023 recipients of the Hon. Deborah A. Batts Scholarship.
The scholarship was established in 2021 soon after the death of Judge Batts, a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York and the Law School’s first Black faculty member to receive tenure at Fordham Law. Working with Fordham Law’s Center on Race, Law and Justice, Batts Scholars are dedicated to using their legal education to promote social justice, civil rights, and equality.
We spoke with this year’s recipients about their work on social justice issues, how it feels to be selected as a Batts Scholar, and how they hope to contribute to Judge Batts’ trailblazing legacy on equality and justice.
Meet the New Batts Scholars
Shanice Scantlebury
Hometown: Bridgetown, Barbados/Bronx, NY
Previous education: B.A., History and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Williams College
How does it feel to be selected as a Batts Scholar? I am immensely grateful and honored to be selected as a Batts Scholar. This recognition validates my dedication to advancing social justice and will provide me with new tools to approach advocacy in communities of color.
What previous experience do you have working on issues related to social justice, equality, and civil rights? I currently volunteer with a local non-profit organization, Fuel the People, which works to provide food to protestors on the front lines, supports local Black and POC-owned restaurants and businesses, and donates to local organizations. This experience has reinforced my commitment to using my legal education as a powerful tool for empowering underserved communities.
What areas of law are you interested in pursuing in the future? Prior to law school, I was an intellectual property paralegal and witnessed firsthand how large corporations and individuals profited from cultures they were not a part of and did not contribute to. I hope to pursue a career in intellectual property law to help disenfranchised communities protect and reclaim the rights to their culture’s intellectual property.
Yannick Twumasi
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Previous education: B.A., Political Science, Elon University
How does it feel to be selected as a Batts Scholar? I am deeply honored to have been selected as a Judge Deborah A. Batts Scholar. I hope to emulate her trailblazing efforts and continue her legacy by inspiring future generations to drive meaningful change.
What previous experience do you have working on issues related to social justice, equality, and civil rights? During my time at Elon, I sat on the Neighborhood Coalition with various senior school officials and local police chiefs, which allowed me to advocate for equality within my community. Additionally, during my time as chapter president of my Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, I advocated for civil rights through several initiatives including A Voteless People is a Hopeless People. My advocacy efforts ultimately earned me the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award for noble character and for placing service to others before self interest.
What areas of law are you interested in pursuing in the future? I’m most interested in contributing to fair and equal housing law. Growing up in D.C. I saw many unfair and discriminatory landlord-tenant relationships, so I am motivated to apply the knowledge I’m gaining at Fordham Law to help right those wrongs.
Cristian Vega
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Previous education: B.A., Political Science & Spanish, Binghamton University
How does it feel to be selected as a Batts Scholar? As a gay Afro-Latino, I am thrilled to honor the late Judge Deborah Batts—the first openly gay federal district court judge—and continue her work on advancing racial equality through my participation in the Center’s research efforts.
What previous experience do you have working on issues related to social justice, equality, and civil rights? As vice president and treasurer of my undergraduate organization, the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program, I worked tirelessly with my executive board to plan an all-expenses paid weekend for 150 students from New York City to visit Binghamton University and learn about college life. I look forward to continuing my mentorship efforts for the next generation of students and showing them they can succeed in law school and can become the next leaders in the legal profession.
What areas of law are you interested in pursuing in the future? I am interested in education law and policy, and I look forward to participating in pro bono initiatives that advocate for different student communities, such as English Language Learners and students with special needs, with the goal of ensuring they receive the necessary resources to achieve their fullest potential. I also hope to eventually run for political office and continue the fight for social justice.
To learn more about the late Judge Batts, watch this video about her life and legacy.
