Augustine Ahiabor, Communications Fellow —Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jaclyn Kramer
Development Director
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 755-4120
Email: jkramer@vljnj.org
Cathy Keenan
Executive Director
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 645-1951, ext.101
Email: ckeenan@vljnj.org
Newark, NJ – June 16, 2021 – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is excited to announce that Augustine Joseph Ahiabor has been selected as the Bershad Communications Fellow. Funded through the generosity of long-time Board Member David Bershad and his wife, Mindy Cohen, the fellowship was created to enable VLJ to enhance its public profile as the organization celebrates its 20th year anniversary.
As the first recipient of this fellowship, Augustine will play a key role in crafting VLJ’s marketing and communications strategy. His responsibilities include creating compelling news and social media content, developing VLJ’s look and organizational voice, and implementing digital marketing best practices to help VLJ meet its strategic goals.
Augustine’s communications career began at Montclair State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a K-12 teaching certification. After working as a language arts teacher at Pride Academy Charter School in East Orange, NJ, Augustine attended Rider University, where he earned a graduate degree in business communications. While at Rider, he participated in a marketing internship that he credits for exposing him to the field of digital marketing. He also thanks his professors for equipping him with the public relations, visual communication, and research skills needed to thrive in the marketing field.
Upon completing his graduate program, Augustine spent the next two years working as a marketing coordinator for an orthopedic practice —it was in this role that he first picked up photography and videography. As marketing coordinator, Augustine was responsible for capturing headshots of new physicians and recording patient testimonials. Although new to the craft, Augustine excelled at the photo-videography requirements of his job, and eventually began taking on clients as a freelance digital creator.
Augustine says, “I am honored to be the inaugural recipient of this fellowship. I’m grateful to David Bershad and the VLJ leadership team for the opportunity to contribute to the important work being done here. In today’s crowded digital world, storytelling is more important than ever. The ability to captivate an audience plays an important role in whether an organization meets its strategic goals. Lucky for me, there are incredible people doing incredible, impactful work here at VLJ. I look forward to helping this amazing organization tell its story.”
David Bershad says, “VLJ has been doing wonderful things for years and most of it has been under the radar. So I am excited and delighted that VLJ is going to be able to bring its activities and successes to a wider public audience.”
VLJ is grateful to David and Mindy for their visionary leadership and excited to enhance its communications efforts with Augustine as the Bershad Fellow.
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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged and at-risk adults, children, and families in New Jersey by empowering them with the tools, advice, and pro bono representation to obtain fair and equal treatment within the legal system. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. Each year, VLJ’s work impacts more than 3,600 people—including veterans, children, tenants, families, and victims of human trafficking—through 10 pro bono programs. To learn more, please visit www.vljnj.org.