Natiera Robinson knew she wanted to pursue a career in public interest from the time she was in high school, and through remarkable dedication and perseverance, she graduated from college and law school with many accolades and now serves some of the most vulnerable people in our community at Ascend Justice.
Natiera had to take out significant student loans to finish college and law school in order to pursue her dreams of serving others, which has made it particularly challenging for her to work in a public interest position. A graduate of Illinois State University who then received her J.D. from Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Natiera’s public interest journey includes internships with the local Public Defender, the Federal Defender’s Office, and the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus as she received many academic honors and served in significant leadership roles in both college and law school. Since high school, she also has volunteered with OneGoal, an organization dedicated to ensuring equitable postsecondary education opportunities for every student.
At Ascend Justice, Natiera works in the Incarcerated Survivors Program, advocating for survivors of domestic violence by connecting them with crucial resources like DCFS caseworkers and mental health counselors. Her dedication extends to supporting families impacted by maternal incarceration, earning her the nickname “The Grandma Whisperer” for her ability to build trust with grandmothers navigating complex legal and welfare systems.
Recently appointed to the Regional Advisory Board for OneGoal, Natiera mentors students and promotes access to higher education, drawing on her own experience as a program participant and inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams. Her commitment to both Ascend Justice and nurturing future leaders embodies the spirit of the Anderson Fellowship, recognizing her outstanding dedication to public interest. By lessening the burden of her student debt, the Anderson Fellowship will help Natiera continue her impactful advocacy for incarcerated survivors and their families at Ascend Justice.