Steven Hensley believes that the true test of a society is how it lifts those who have fallen the hardest, a conviction that springs from his own life story. Born to teen parents, he grew up battling homelessness and entered prison at 17. Rather than surrender to circumstance, he channeled adversity into action, later graduating first in his class at Fresno State and earning the President’s Medal. Today he studies at UC Berkeley Law, class of 2025, and is determined to open doors for others who have been counted out.
Steven has served on the Board of Directors for the ACLU of Northern California, co-founded a nonprofit to support justice-involved youth, and stood in court as a Certified Law Clerk for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. In each endeavor he weaves his own experiences into powerful advocacy, advancing the idea that when we invest in every individual’s potential, we lift the nation as a whole. As a Justice Policy Fellow, Steven brings a passion for policy reform that honors second chances and expands educational access. He stands ready to shine a light on the barriers faced by justice-impacted students and to champion solutions that spark lasting change.
