Judge Songhai Armstead

Judge Songhai Armstead was a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California. She was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown (D) on July 16, 2015, and was re-elected in 2016. She retired from the court on September 25, 2020, in order to become executive director of Los Angeles County's Alternatives to Incarceration Initiative.

Armstead was raised in Los Angeles, California, a community that provided an early understanding of the challenges many individuals face within the justice system. Her parents were instrumental in shaping her views on justice and compassion, encouraging her to pursue a career where she could make a meaningful impact. Driven by this motivation, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where she developed a passion for social justice, human rights, and community empowerment.

Following her undergraduate studies, Armstead attended the UCLA School of Law. There, she focused on public interest law, aiming to address the challenges faced by underrepresented communities.

After completing her education, Armstead initially worked in legal aid organizations and nonprofit law firms, advocating for people who faced systemic disadvantages. In these early roles, she became known for her fierce advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities, helping individuals navigate complex legal processes in matters ranging from housing disputes to immigration cases and promoting educational opportunities for underprivileged youth.

In recognition of her contributions to the legal field and her advocacy for social justice, Armstead was appointed to the bench in California. Her appointment was celebrated as a victory for those advocating for greater diversity in the judiciary, as her perspective brings unique insights into the legal system. On the bench, she has earned a reputation as a fair and insightful judge, known for her thorough understanding of the law and her commitment to ensuring that every person who comes before her is treated with respect and dignity.

Judge Songhai has over two decades of experience in one of the country’s largest justice systems. Through her work, she has impacted tens of thousands of people, as well as organizations and government structures. Currently, she collaborates with a wide network of government, nonprofit, and private groups to develop new programs, directing $350 million to community investments, alternative sentencing, and support initiatives.

Judge Songhai Armstead Linkedin

As a Superior Court Judge, Judge Songhai achieved one of the strongest records in lowering recidivism and ensuring compliance. Earlier, as a prosecutor, she pioneered programs for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and those with mental health or substance use challenges—earning state and national awards for her efforts. Recognized as a skilled educator on implicit bias, she has trained thousands in the justice system, including judges on California’s Appellate and Supreme Courts.

A respected expert in systems change, she is frequently invited as a master teacher, keynote speaker, and commentator. Her expertise spans systems reform, leadership, conflict resolution, strategic planning, team building, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).

Her work is further enriched by her personal journey from adversity to success, instilling empathy in her approach. She encourages individuals and organizations to view their challenges as sources of strength. Judge Songhai’s presentations are engaging and impactful, inspiring not only new insights but also a drive for meaningful action.

In her current position, she has created new programs, and worked with a broad coalition of governmental, non-profit and private groups. To date, she has overseen the allocation of $350 million dollars for community investment, interventions and alternatives to incarceration.

Judge Armstead’s impact extends beyond her courtroom. She has inspired countless young people to pursue careers in law, particularly individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who may have previously felt that the legal profession was out of reach. As a mentor and role model, she has shown that a career in law can be both fulfilling and transformative, empowering individuals to effect positive change in their communities. Speaking at the KITS (Kids in the Spotlight) Awards Ceremony in 2024, she encouraged all young people to vote!

‘She is Us: The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead’

Samara Hutman and C. Lily Ericsson'She is Us'

The trailer ‘She is Us: The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead’ (PASSWORD: rcp) directed by Samara Hutman and C. Lily Ericsson is an animated film that chronicles the extraordinary story of Judge Armstead. It explores how, after a challenging childhood in foster care, Songhai embarks on a remarkable journey that shows the importance of creating opportunities. The film is a production of The Righteous Conversations Project and Second Nurture. ‘She is Us' was directed by Samara Hutman & C. Lily Ericsson and animated by a team of young people, some of whom are alumni of Tige Charity’s KITS foundation.

Judge Songhai Armstead and the Animate Possibility Film Collab Team  

‘She is Us: The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead’ has won the Media Arts Spotlight Award at the 20^th MY HERO Film Festival. To find out more about the film festival go to: /Films/festival

About the Righteous Conversations Project

The Righteous Conversations Project was launched in 2011 when a group of parents and students, the head of Harvard-Westlake's Upper School Visual Arts Department, Cheri Gaulke and head of History, Dror Yaron started reaching out to Holocaust survivors to hear their stories. The parents and students had worked closely with Remember Us, a foundation dedicated to remembering the children lost in the Holocaust but wanted to take their commitment to Holocaust memory one step further by hearing from survivors directly. The directors of Remember Us, Samara Hutman, and Cheri Gaulke decided to collaborate, and The Righteous Conversations Project was formed. The Righteous Conversations Project brings Holocaust survivors and students together; survivors share their stories of resilience and resistance, whilst students document the stories in the form of short films or Public Service Announcements. On their website, the project is outlined as the following:

To read more about The Righteous Conversations Project, click here, or visit their website at http://righteousconversations.org/.

About Second Nature

Second Nurture creates circles of compassion and support for foster families so that they are held, resilient and successful—and kids have the loving, ‘growthful’ relationships and resources they need to thrive. “We help families explore, pursue and thrive in fostering and adoption by mobilizing communities to support them every step of the way.”

To find out more about Second Nature, visit their website: www.2nurture.org