Tag Archive for: Black History Month

Meet Deputy DA Frederick Washington

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet Deputy District Attorney Frederick Washington, who has been working at the DA’s office for the past six years, although he has served as a prosecutor for a total of 10 years. Frederick is currently assigned to the Family Protection Unit, where his caseload includes domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and internet crimes against children. Read more about what inspired him to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

Why did you choose a career in public service/what inspired you to pursue this career?

“I chose a career in public service because I think being a prosecutor is one of the most fulfilling jobs there is. Taken to its simplest point, our primary goal is merely to do good, and that pursuit is incredibly rewarding.” 

What does African American History Month/Black History Month mean to you/why is it important?

“African American history is a vital part of American history and the recognition the month provides allows for stories and people, that may be relatively unknown, to be spotlighted and celebrated.”

Meet Deputy DA Joshua Brisbane

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service. Meet Deputy DA Joshua Brisbane, and the family history that inspired his career as a prosecutor, in this video.

Meet DA Investigator Tony La Dell

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet District Attorney Investigator Tony La Dell, who has been at the DA’s Office for five years. He is currently assigned to One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center, where he works with 120 partner agencies to support victims of crimes. His job includes safety planning for victims, firearms recovery and other investigations, maintaining the overall security of the office, and developing policies and procedures for One Safe Place. Read more about what inspired him to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

Why did you choose a career in public service/what inspired you to pursue this career?

“I chose a career in public service because I wanted to have a direct, positive impact on the lives of others. I also knew, based on my skill set and having participated in sports all my life, I had the tools to potentially be the kind of police officer who would contribute positively to the community. By contributing positively to the community that improves people’s well-being, I felt like I would be doing something meaningful with my life. I also had some great mentors, starting with my late father, who served in the Korean conflict and was wounded in combat, and my childhood wrestling coaches who were both former police officers.

Prior to joining the DA’s office, I was a police officer with the San Diego Police Department and then the Department of Justice for a combined 35 years. I thought I was ready for retirement but realized I had more to offer in public service, landing the perfect position at One Safe Place to finish my law enforcement career helping victims of crimes!”

Why is Black History Month important to you?

“Black History Month means looking back at the impact Black pioneers and leaders have had on our community, organizations, and cities. It means celebrating and honoring the legacy these pioneers and leaders have laid for future generations to follow. It means supporting the advancement of the Black community amidst the racial injustices that continue to happen throughout the U.S. today. It means educating myself further and honoring the fact that we would not be where we are today without the innovative contributions these Black leaders and pioneers have made — and to remind myself daily that Black history cannot be contained to a single month but should be celebrated and remembered year-round.”

Meet Human Resources Manager Kelly Lyons

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet DA Human Resources Manager Kelly Lyons, who has been working in the County for 26 years, and 24 of those years have been at the DA’s office. Kelly is the Human Resource Manager for the Human Resource Management Unit, which covers important areas of position management, recruitment, hiring, transfers, human resources policies and procedures, Covid management, workplace accommodations, workers’ compensation, leave administration, benefits administration, employee relations, performance appraisals and appeals, grievances, discipline, and employee investigations. Read more about what inspired her to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

Why did you choose a career in public service/what inspired you to pursue this career?

“Both my mother and sister worked in public service, but my mom was actually the one who pushed me to get a government job for the stability and great benefits. Once I started working in public service, I learned about the District Attorney’s Office and had a strong desire to work there. I enjoy supporting people who work to uphold justice. Human Resources is the backbone of any organization, and working at the District Attorney’s Office allows me to contribute behind the scenes ensuring that our staff has the resources, support and environment they need to do their jobs effectively.”

What does African American History Month mean to you/why is it important?

“As a Black woman, Black History Month is deeply personal. It’s a time to honor the strength, resilience, and brilliance of those who came before me, especially the Black women who have shaped history but whose contributions have often been overlooked. For me, it’s a time of reflection and pride, recognizing the sacrifices made so that I can stand where I am today. It’s a reminder that I come from a lineage of trailblazers, innovators, and leaders who have fought for justice, equality, and representation. It’s important because it ensures that the struggles and triumphs of Black individuals are acknowledged, and the future generations understand the significance of diversity, representation, and inclusion in shaping a better society for all. Most importantly it’s a call to action to honor the past by creating a future where Black excellence is acknowledged every day, not just in February.”

Meet the Assistant Chief of Juvenile Division Samira Seidu

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service. Meet the Assistant Chief of the Juvenile Division, Samira Seidu, and what inspired her career as a prosecutor, in this video.

Chief Technology Officer Julian Shelby.

Meet Chief Technology Officer Julian Shelby

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet the DA’s Chief Technology Officer, Julian Shelby, who leads the DA’s Information Technology Department, including cybersecurity. He began his County career with the DA’s Office in March 1998 and left with Child Support Enforcement when it separated from the DA’s Office to become Child Support Services. He returned in May 2024 as the Chief Information Security Officer (cybersecurity) after nearly 18 years with the County Technology Office. Read more about what inspired him to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement/ at the DA’s Office?

“I dreamed of being Q from the James Bond movies because I thought it would be awesome to invent cool gadgets. I switched from electronics to IT when I was hired by the DA’s Office, which was pure happenstance. Returning has been a blessing! Proud that my mother retried from law enforcement as a civilian as will I.”

What does African American History Month mean to you?

“African American History Month to me is a time when those of us from black African descent get to reflect on both the struggles and subsequent successes of our forefathers. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana to a civil rights activist mother and a civil rights attorney father, who is not of African descent. Ironically, it was my father who named me Julian after the civil rights leader, Julian Bond, and my middle name Kenyatta is from Jomo Kenyatta, the first anti-colonial president of Kenya.”

Anything else you want to share?

“Yes. A piece from the great Langston Hughes: ‘O, I’m the man who sailed those early seas In search of what I meant to be my home — For I’m the one who left dark Ireland’s shore, And Poland’s plain, and England’s grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa’s strand I came To build a “homeland of the free.’

Assistant District Attorney Dwain Woodley Receives Bayard Rustin Award

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that Dwain Woodley, the Assistant District Attorney, was honored Wednesday night with the San Diego Human Relations Commission’s Bayard Rustin Honors award at a ceremony at City Hall. [WATCH HIS AWARD SPEECH HERE]

The Bayard Rustin Honors awards celebrates San Diegans who work tirelessly as advocates or activists for equality and equity, social justice and community. Bayard Rustin was an American civil rights activist who was an adviser to Martin Luther King, Jr., and who was the main organizer of the March on Washington in 1963.

Woodley was recognized for his continued and tireless efforts in enhancing the equity, safety, and overall wellbeing of San Diego communities.

 “Dwain Woodley treats everyone with dignity and respect, giving a voice to the entire team and to the People of San Diego County,” DA Stephan said. “His leadership focuses on internal accountability and community-based partnerships. He has worked tirelessly to deliver fair and equal justice, support victims of crime, build trust with the public and develop direct access to our office for all the diverse communities we serve. I am proud to work alongside Assistant DA Dwain Woodley to continue to build a model prosecutor’s office that balances public safety and responsible criminal justice reform.”

Assistant DA Woodley helped develop and lead the DA’s Community Partnership Prosecutors program which has been especially successful connecting the public with much-needed services around domestic violence, child abuse and hate crimes. He also works with the advocacy organization “For the People” on reviewing cases that might qualify for prosecutor-initiated resentencings.

A former public defender, Woodley joined the DA’s Office as a Deputy DA in 2001. He began his management track in 2008 serving as Assistant Chief of Central Pretrial and Disposition Division, Assistant Chief of Superior Court Division, Chief of Superior Court Division, Chief of the Juvenile Branch, and Chief of the South Bay Branch. In 2018, DA Stephan named Woodley Chief Deputy DA and in 2021 he was selected as the Assistant District Attorney.

Woodley served honorably in the United States Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1989-1995, where he was both a prosecutor and defense counsel. His last assignment in the military was a staff attorney for Office of General Counsel at the National Security Agency. He then served as a San Diego Deputy Public Defender before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2001.

“Dwain has been instrumental in further developing our office as one that reflects the diversity of the community we serve by striving to recruit and retain the most talented, diverse and inclusive workforce in order to improve our pursuit of a fair and equal justice for all,” DA Stephan said.

Woodley grew up in Baltimore Maryland and graduated from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) and University of Maryland Law School and completed the Prosecutors for Now course at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Meet District Attorney Investigator Jovanna Derrough

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet District Attorney Investigator Jovanna Derrough. Her job is to support the Deputy District Attorneys in an investigative capacity with the cases they bring forth to trial. This can range from interviewing victims and witnesses and following up on investigative leads to writing search warrants, serving subpoenas or collecting evidence. Read more about what inspired her to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement/ at the DA’s Office?

“It probably sounds cliché, but I pursued a career in law enforcement because I wanted to help people. Everyone wants to belong to something… I joined the San Diego Police Department and became a part of a law enforcement brotherhood/sisterhood. At SDPD, I had the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and investigative experience in the areas of narcotics, gangs, de-escalation, missing persons and cold case homicide and retired after 27+ years. I wanted to extend my law enforcement career and continue to serve the community by helping pursue justice for crime victims. Joining the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office gave me the opportunity to do just that.”

Why is Black History Month important to you?

“Black History Month is an opportunity to spotlight the countless contributions African Americans have made to our country, and to show pride in our achievements past and present. Representation matters. I believe educating, acknowledging, and accepting African American accomplishments provides all Americans the opportunity to celebrate African American achievements and see how they are woven into the fabric of building our country. ‘Knowing the past, opens the door to the future.’ -Carter G. Woodson.”

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 02-15-24

In this week’s DA news, District Attorney Summer Stephan talks about Black History Month and an important new program the DA’s Office is implementing to better serve our community.

Meet Deputy District Attorney Isaac Jackson

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet Deputy District Attorney Isaac Jackson, who has been at the DA’s Office for over seven years. He is currently in the Family Protection Unit in North County doing Felony Trials concerning Child Abuse, Elder Abuse, and Domestic Violence. Read more about what inspired him to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement/ at the DA’s Office?

“I joined the DA’s office because I wanted to have a positive impact on my community. I grew up in Southeast San Diego, but I went to high school in Point Loma. Every day, I saw and felt the different relationships those communities had with law enforcement. It became apparent that a strong and healthy relationship with law enforcement is necessary for a strong and healthy community. I joined the DA’s office so I could help build that relationship.”

Why is Black History Month important to you?

“It is easy to connect with someone with whom you can identify, and it is human nature to shy away from the unknown. For centuries, this country vilified people who were different from those in power and we are still feeling the effects of that today. Black History Month reminds some and teaches others that Black people have made significant and foundational contributions to this country. It allows Black people to celebrate a heritage of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles and shows other cultures and communities that we are not so different. We are all human beings seeking freedom and acceptance.”