About
Guy Lang – Advocate, Leader, and Community Champion
Guy Lang is a dedicated advocate for justice-involved individuals, returning citizens, and the families and communities impacted by the criminal justice system. With an unwavering commitment to dismantling systemic barriers, he has devoted his career to fostering meaningful change, amplifying marginalized voices, and ensuring access to justice for all.
As the Director of Youth Partnerships & Community Outreach at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Guy leads initiatives that educate and empower young people navigating the justice system. He also serves as the Program Director for the Junior Defender Program, equipping youth with the knowledge and tools to advocate for themselves and their communities. Under his leadership, these programs have expanded their reach, ensuring that young people have the resources and support needed to break cycles of criminalization and injustice.
His deep-rooted passion for systemic change also extends to policy work as a Law & Policy Committee Member for the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force, where he helps shape strategies for reparative justice in the city.
Guy’s leadership and advocacy have gained national recognition. He is a Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) Member, a BPDA Black Defender Leadership Institute 2.0 Fellow, and a National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) Racial Justice Committee Member. He also serves as a MacArthur Microgrant Subcommittee Member, helping to allocate resources for justice reform. His influence extends beyond Philadelphia as a sought-after public speaker, using his platform to champion transformative justice policies across the country.
A proud Temple University graduate with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, Guy brings both lived experience and academic expertise to his work. His commitment to racial and social justice led him to serve as Training Coordinator for the Juvenile Defender Association of Philadelphia (JDAP), a position appointed directly by the JDAP president. He also broadened his global perspective by studying Child Exploitation in Cambodia through Trinity Law School.
His dedication to advocacy is evident in his creative work as well—he co-produced the 57 Blocks Documentary Trailer, shedding light on systemic issues affecting communities of color. He also played a pivotal role in planning and developing the Public Defender Racial Justice Unit and spearheaded the Junior Defender Youth Listening Tour, ensuring that young people have a platform to voice their experiences and shape a more equitable future.
At the heart of his work, Guy cultivates strong connections between the Defender Association and the communities it serves. Through collaboration, resource-sharing, and advocacy, he bridges the gap between public defense and holistic community support, ensuring that individuals impacted by the justice system have the tools to thrive.
In addition to their role in racial justice advocacy and community leadership, Guy serves as the Justice Impacted Communities Coordinator for the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD). In this role, he initiates, develops, and maintains a recurring monthly meetup group for justice-impacted individuals working in public defense. He identifies and nurtures opportunities for related programming, including webinars, conference tracks, resource guides, and online courses. Additionally, he moderates a dedicated listserv, sharing relevant resources and opportunities with justice-impacted professionals. He actively contributes to NAPD’s Engagement Division, attending meetings and supporting initiatives to foster community, advocacy, and systemic change.
Guy also holds a role with MJ Consulting, where he contributes to comprehensive education and training programs designed to empower individuals, families, and professionals navigating the child welfare and criminal justice systems. Leveraging a collaborative approach, Guy works alongside attorneys, educators, social workers, psychologists, and individuals with lived experiences to provide expert consultation, advocacy, and civil rights protection. Through personalized support and systemic reform efforts, he advances justice, equality, and positive outcomes for marginalized communities.
Above all, Guy is a devoted father to three amazing adult children, a mentor, and a relentless force for justice. His mission is clear—uplift, empower, and fight for a system that serves and protects all people, not just the privileged few.