Bryan Stevenson is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a nationally recognized human rights organization based in Montgomery, Alabama. A widely acclaimed public interest lawyer, Stevenson has dedicated his career to advocating for the poor, the incarcerated, and the wrongly condemned.

Under his leadership, EJI has won major legal challenges addressing excessive sentencing, wrongful convictions, and the treatment of children in the criminal legal system. His work in Alabama helped bring national attention to issues of injustice deeply connected to the history and communities of the Black Belt region. Stevenson also led the creation of EJI’s internationally recognized Legacy Sites, including the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

A graduate of Harvard Law School and the Harvard School of Government, Stevenson is the author of the bestselling memoir Just Mercy, which was adapted into an award-winning feature film. His work has earned numerous honors, including the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant and the National Humanities Medal presented by President Joe Biden.

Through his advocacy, scholarship, and leadership, Stevenson continues to inspire communities to confront injustice while advancing a more hopeful and equitable future.