Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law

Faculty Co-Director Deborah Archer is president of the American Civil Liberties Union and a leading expert in civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice.
Faculty Co-Director Vincent Southerland leads the Criminal Defense and Re-entry Clinic.
Executive Director Jason Williamson co-leads the Racial Justice Clinic.
The Center's public conversation on affirmative action in higher education featured Julie J. Park, Anurima Bhargava, Deborah Archer, and Jin Hee Lee.
One of the Center's public conversations on the Anatomy of Race and Inequality included (from left) Phil Tegeler, Kim Sweet, Dennis Parker, Richard Buery, and Russell Robinson.
At the 2020 Kenneth P. Thompson ‘92 Lecture on Race and Criminal Justice Reform, Vincent Southerland (right) moderated a panel featuring Eric Gonzalez and Danielle Sered.
The Center co-hosts the annual Derrick Bell Lecture on Race in American Society, which honors the life and legacy of the late civil rights lawyer and NYU Law Professor Derrick Bell.

About Us

The Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law confronts the laws, policies, and practices that lead to the oppression and marginalization of people of color. We believe that the racism that permeates our present day legal system has deep roots. By documenting the history of racism in America, elevating the stories of those affected by race-based inequality, and rigorously applying a racial lens to analyze unremitting disparities, we identify actionable, forward-looking solutions to address the injustices caused by racism and then take action.

Our Work

Race & Narrative

Race & the Criminal Legal System

Race & Community Equity

Race & Technology

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Anti-racist resource guides, articles, and books

Recent Reports

Building Safe, Thriving Communities: Research-Based Strategies for Public Safety (PDF: 7.11 MB) lays out a new path for public safety using research-based strategies in policing, prosecution, and sentencing.

The Problem with Parole: New York's Failing System of Release makes policy recommendations to transform the parole system, putting redemption and rehabilitation first.

Media: Deborah Archer on Morning Edition

Listen to Deborah Archer discuss "A Brief History Of How Racism Shaped Interstate Highways"

Media: Jason Williamson on NBC News

Watch Jason Williamson discuss implicit bias in the courtroom.

Remembering Bob Moses

The NYU Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law joins civil rights advocates and lovers of justice everywhere in mourning the loss of the indomitable Bob Moses on July 25, 2021. We continue to be inspired by Bob’s willingness to put his life on the line—quite literally—to stand and fight alongside the oppressed; his insistence on leading from behind and ceding all authority to impacted communities; and his passion for teaching as a vehicle for changing hearts and minds. We honor and celebrate Bob’s extraordinary life of service and recommit to upholding his legacy through our work in the world. Rest in power, Bob.

A New Executive Director

Jason D. Williamson '06 has joined the Center as its new executive director. Mr. Williamson comes to NYU Law after serving as deputy director of the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project. “Jason’s unwavering commitment to racial justice, wide range of litigation and advocacy experience, and sharp legal acumen make him ideal for this role,” said Professor Deborah Archer, the Center’s co-faculty director. “I look forward to his contributions to the Center’s work and continued success.”