2025 Fall Gala
October 23, 2025 @ 6:00PM — 9:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Mindspace in the Wanamaker: 100 E Penn Sq 4th Fl Philadelphia, PA 19107 Get Directions
Celebrate the criminal justice community in Philadelphia
Join us for the Atlantic Center's Fall Gala! This year we celebrate fifteen years of service and dedication to confronting injustice, ending the death penalty, and bringing people home. We're excited and grateful for the opportunity to host another community fundraising celebration with our friends, allies, clients and supporters here in Philadelphia.
This year we honor the accomplishments of those advancing criminal legal reform:
Keisha Hudson, Stuart Schuman Award for Indigent Defense
Chief Defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, for her transformative leadership and lifelong commitment to justice. With over two decades of experience as a public defender, from trial work to death penalty appeals, Keisha has brought national attention to the essential role public defenders play in advancing systemic reform. Her work spans from the Capital Habeas Unit to her tenure as Deputy Chief Defender in Montgomery County, where she helped build one of the strongest defender offices in Pennsylvania. Since taking the helm in Philadelphia, Keisha has reshaped the Defender’s mission to center community, equity, and accountability. Her voice continues to propel the movement forward, reminding us that public defense is a form of public power.
James Muhammad Taylor, Returning Champion of Justice Award
We're deeply honored to recognize James Muhammed Taylor, who returned home this year after nearly five decades of incarceration. A visionary leader, mentor, and prison reform advocate, Mr. Taylor transformed his sentence into a lifetime of service, founding People Against Recidivism (PAR) while still incarcerated, mentoring countless others, and inspiring outside supporters to join the fight for justice. His work laid the foundation for PAR Recycling Works, a recycling business helping returning citizens build new lives. Named Prisoner of the Year by the Pennsylvania Prison Society, Mr. Taylor is living proof that people can change and that our justice system must be built on mercy and rehabilitation, not endless punishment. We celebrate his long-overdue freedom and his continued commitment to healing, dignity, and transformation.
Truly special thanks to Celeste Trusty for taking the mic as our Guest MC again this year - because of Celeste, attendees will be able to enjoy the presentation & be spared from too much of our dear Bookman's dulcet tones.