Caruso School of Law Hosts First-Ever Los Angeles Youth Commission Training Session

On July 31, 2021, the Sudreau Global Justice Institute at the Caruso School of Law hosted the first-ever training session for the Los Angeles Youth Commission, a new entity launched by the City of Los Angeles that appoints 15 young adults from across the region to help examine and reform issues related to juvenile justice. Alain J. Datcher (MPP ’15), an alumnus of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, has been named the commission’s first-ever executive director.

“We expressed to them that their voices matter,” shared Cameron McCollum (JD ’17), director of the Sudreau Global Justice Institute at the Caruso School of Law, about welcoming the youth at the all-day event. “I explained that as they continue to show up and speak up, their impact will be felt for years to come.”  

While historically the work of the Sudreau Global Justice Institute has been primarily focused on international affairs, the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020 prompted the institute to invest in justice reform initiatives domestically as well. The institute has a particular passion for juvenile justice, since its program initially commenced years ago by exploring and assisting with this topic in Africa.

“Los Angeles has so many opportunities to help with issues of injustice, and Pepperdine can and should be a leader in this area,” said McCollum. “We should be actively involved in these conversations, lending our time and expertise, and serving in every way we can to make Los Angeles a more equitable place. This event was a great first small step toward that goal.”