2026 Fellows
Ayishea Denson
Mason De Vaul
Mason De Vaul is a rising senior at Georgetown University majoring in Government and Psychology, hoping to pursue a career in public interest law. Originally from New York City, Mason has long been interested in the intersection of public policy and social justice. During his time at Georgetown, he has developed a particular interest in the criminal legal system, researching how structural inequalities shape legal and social outcomes. Outside the classroom, he has spent the past two summers working as a legal intern, experiences that strengthened his belief in the importance of using the law to support marginalized and vulnerable communities. He is excited to join the Douglass Project this summer and learn more about how human connection and dialogue can contribute to meaningful social change.
Jessica Hutchins
My name is Jessica Hutchins, and I was born in Maine. I am currently residing in New Bedford, Massachusetts after being paroled from jail, a place that unexpectedly helped me to find my voice. I was incarcerated due to my substance abuse issues, but that time in my life became a turning point for me. I struggled growing up expressing my feelings. I didn’t always have the words, or maybe I just didn’t know how to use them. It wasn’t until my incarceration that I started writing poetry, which became my strong point. I was writing at first to pass the time, but it quickly became something I needed to help me with my healing journey. I was finally able to say exactly what I had been holding in for years. It helped me to discover myself.
I lead peer groups at the residential recovery home helping the women around me find healthier ways to cope and express themselves. Being able to share what I have learned—and watching others find their own voices—means everything to me. I had an opportunity to be an inside participant with the Frederick Douglass Project having shared some of my poetry at the end of each event which I am extremely grateful for. Having participated as an insider my poetry has been recognized and one of my poems was the portrait of recovery in the Falmouth enterprise, I have also read that same poem for the WCAI national radio station. That experience has made me passionate about helping others find their voice like I have mine, and to give hope to those still incarcerated that life does get better. My story isn’t perfect, but it’s honest. And if my words can help even one person feel seen or understood, then every step of my journey has been worth it.
Emily Thornton
Emily Thornton is a rising senior at Louisiana State University studying psychology with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience and sociology with a concentration in criminology. She plans to pursue a Master of Social Work, with the goal of working with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as at-risk and justice-involved youth. Born and raised in Louisiana, Emily has seen how deeply incarceration impacts local communities, shaping her commitment to addressing systematic inequalities, reducing stigma, and supporting successful reentry. She volunteers at the Louisiana Parole Project, where she teaches digital scam prevention to formerly incarcerated individuals, equipping clients with skills that support successful reentry. Emily is also a research assistant at LSU, contributing to a project evaluating transitional housing options for formerly incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, and is currently completing an undergraduate thesis.