About The Author
Richard Anthony Celestin is a graduate of Queens College and The City University of New York School of Law. While at CUNY Law, he focused his studies on criminal defense and juvenile justice. Prior to entering law school, and since becoming an attorney, he has directed his work towards underrepresented and at-risk youth via the not-for-profit sector and with alternative-to-detention programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. He offers his knowledge and insight into the juvenile and criminal justice areas by participating in panel discussions and conducting workshops throughout New York City addressing issues and concerns that affect communities of color, primarily the rising arrest and incarceration rates of youth of color.
In addition to working with youth involved in the juvenile and criminal justice systems, Mr. Celestin created a limited liability corporation, Richard Celestin Consulting Group, LLC, for the purposes of developing and providing legal skill development, self-awareness, youth empowerment, and consequential thinking programs to elementary, middle and high school students in NYC, New Jersey and Long Island, particularly with youth of color. Under the LLC, Richard operates the Young Debaters Program, which has been implemented in over 80 schools and focuses on teaching students the skills behind debate and oral advocacy. He has also presented hundreds of workshops for students and parents throughout New York, New Jersey and Long Island.
Mr. Celestin is an Amazon best-selling self-published author with three books written to date. His most recent book, Evolving into Manhood, targets young boys as they battle societal pressures and toxic masculinity in their evolution into manhood. His first book, “The Hard Facts About Soft Skills”, focuses on the soft skills needed in order to successfully navigate the professional world and targets young professionals as well as high school and college students. Lastly, Richard published “Embracing Adversity: Finding Power and Strength in Life’s Most Challenging Times” at the height of the pandemic in an effort to share his story of overcoming adversity and offering comfort and strategies in navigating difficult times.
Additionally, Richard Celestin serves as a Board member to CUNY School of Law as well as various community-based organizations, acts as a consultant for several organizations seeking to develop youth-based programs within the community, practices law as a solo practitioner and is an adjunct professor at Queens College.
