Bryan Stevenson is a renowned civil rights attorney, social justice advocate, and legal scholar whose work has reshaped the national conversation about mass incarceration and racial inequality. Born in 1959 in Delaware, Stevenson went on to earn degrees from Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School before dedicating his career to defending individuals who have been marginalized, unjustly sentenced, or denied fair treatment by the criminal legal system.
In 1989, Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a nonprofit organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, that provides legal representation to people on death row, children sentenced to life in prison, and others facing extreme or unjust punishment. Under his leadership, EJI has helped overturn wrongful convictions, challenge discriminatory sentencing practices, and secure historic legal victories that protect the rights and dignity of incarcerated people.
Beyond the courtroom, Stevenson has worked to confront America’s legacy of slavery, lynching, and racial terror. He led the creation of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum, both of which illuminate the historical roots of modern-day injustice and inspire dialogue about truth, memory, and reconciliation. His bestselling memoir, Just Mercy, further amplified his commitment to compassion, accountability, and systemic change.
