The York County Bar Association (YCBA) was honored with the 2024 National Association for Bar Professionals (NABE) LexisNexis Community and Educational Outreach Award for its collaborative efforts with the "Pardon Me" film screening and panel discussion that was held on Oct. 4, 2023, at the Capitol Theatre at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts. Victoria Connor, CEO of the York County Bar Association and York County Bar Foundation, accepted the award at the 2024 NABE annual meeting held on Aug. 1, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.

The LexisNexis Community and Educational Outreach Awards honor outstanding Bar public service- and law-related education programs. The Pardon Project of York County (PPYC) - in collaboration with community partners including the York County Bar Association and York County Bar Foundation; The Program, "It's About Change"; the York County District Attorney's Office; the York County Clerk of Courts; the York County Economic Alliance; and the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity - organized a screening of the documentary film "Pardon Me." The screening concluded with a livestreamed panel discussion moderated by York County District Attorney David Sunday. Panelists included filmmaker Shuja Moore; the Hon. William R. Carpenter of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas; pardon recipients David Bryant, Laurie Besden, and C. Reginald "Reggie" Johnson; and pardon fellow DaShawn Harrison. The screening was free and open to the public and marked the beginning of a statewide tour of showings and discussions across the Commonwealth.

Directed and produced by Moore, the documentary "Pardon Me" focuses on the transformative power of pardons, which not only provide individuals with the chance to lead fulfilling lives but also positively impact lower-income communities. The film narrates the stories of two individuals navigating the pardon process in Pennsylvania, with one of them having already received a pardon. It also includes interviews with thought leaders such as Jeff Hornstein, head of the Economy League, and Brandon Flood, former secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.

Criminal records often present significant barriers to employment, housing, education, and more. The only way to remove a conviction from one's record is through a pardon from the governor, obtained via the Board of Pardons.

In Pennsylvania, there are currently 15 Pardon Projects, and the statewide initiative aims to double that number. After the York County event, representatives of three other counties expressed interest in starting Pardon Projects in their communities, and five attendees reached out to the York County Bar and The Program, "It's About Change," to get involved as pardon coaches, people who guide applicants through the pardon process. Several attendees contacted the Pardon Project to check their eligibility or to start the pardon process.

Thanks to contributions, the screening not only raised awareness but also secured $7,000 to benefit Do Moore Good, the charity founded by Shuja Moore to advance this work throughout the commonwealth.

For more information about PPYC, visit http://www.theprogramitsaboutchange.org/pardons.