Fellowship supported through the generosity of Troutman Pepper and Southern Company

KyMara “KG” Guidry joins Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and will serve in the role through summer 2022. As an EJW Fellow, KyMara will be an essential part of Georgia Appleseed’s work to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline in Georgia.

This EJW Fellowship is generously cosponsored by the law firm Troutman Pepper and Southern Company, which both have long histories of giving time, talent, and treasure to Georgia Appleseed since its founding in 2005.

“Southern Company is proud to partner with Troutman Pepper to support the crucial work of Georgia Appleseed and KyMara’s specific advocacy for fair treatment and representation for Georgia’s children in foster care,” said Jim Kerr, Chief Legal Officer for Southern Company. “KyMara’s passion and commitment to this cause and these children, who are often overlooked and underrepresented, is remarkable and inspiring, and we are honored to stand behind her.”

“Equal Justice Works helps to fill critical legal needs in communities,” said Troutman Pepper Partner Bob Edwards, “and we are excited to work with KyMara over the next two years.” Edwards is co-chair of the Troutman Pepper Atlanta Office Pro Bono Committee and serves on the Georgia Appleseed Board of Directors.

KyMara’s experience as a high school English teacher in South Louisiana inspires and guides her work today as she pursues a vision to ensure that schools are just and safe spaces for all children.“What I'm most looking forward to as an EJW fellow is the opportunity to get creative in doing work that expands what is possible for foster youth in Georgia,”said KyMara, “and being expansive in my approach to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, so that schools are spaces that liberate children and youth, instead of punishing or excluding them.”

Over the next two years, KyMara will work closely with Georgia’s Department ofFamily and Children Services,Georgia Appleseed staff, and volunteer attorneys to provide advice and resources on school discipline and special education. KyMara will be taking on juvenile cases involving: 1) disciplinary tribunal hearings, 2) special education counseling, including hearings and school meetings, and 3) LGBTQIA school discrimination cases.

“We are incredibly grateful to Equal Justice Works and KyMara for choosing Georgia Appleseed as a host organization,” says Georgia Appleseed Executive Director Michael Waller. “KyMara brings personal and professional experience that will enrich and deepen our efforts to support children and youth in foster care. In large part, her EJW project will build our capacity to support LGBTQIA students These children deserve support and care that affirms their identity and clears the way for them to thrive.”

Prior to her fellowship, KyMarahad been an intern with Georgia Appleseed since January 2020 and most recently served as the Angela Royal Summer Fellow. Originally from Houston, Texas, KyMara received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Texas Southern University. She is a May2020 law school graduate.

Prior to joining Georgia Appleseed, KyMara held many positions and leadership roles including: intern at Southern Poverty Law Center, intern at Mississippi Innocence Project, and legal assistant with the Education Rights Project at the Nashville Defender's office. She also served as president of OUTlaw, which is an organization with a mission to help create a climate at The University of Mississippi School of Law in which it is safe and comfortable to be openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or an ally. She continues her advocacy for LGBTQIA through the EJW fellowship.

She now lives in South Fulton with her partner and their dog, a pug named McLovin.

About Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice

Georgia Appleseed advances justice for all Georgia’s children, with a particular focus on children experiencing poverty, children with disabilities, and children who experience the effects of institutional bias and racism. Justice requires that every child has access to strong, nurturing schools and a healthy home.

About the Equal Justice Works Fellow

An Equal Justice Works Fellowship transform a passion for equal justice into a career. opportunity starts with your Fellowship and often extends into a lifelong commitment to public service. Candidates for an Equal Justice Works Fellowship can create a Fellowship project of their own design or can apply to join an established Fellowship program dedicated to serving a specific population or addressing an unmet legal need. Equal Justice Works Fellowships foster long-term success in the public sector—on average, 85 percent of Equal Justice Works Fellows remain in public service following their Fellowship.