About the Center

The Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at NYU School of Law was founded in February 2017 to confront the laws, policies, and practices that perpetuate the oppression and marginalization of people of color in the United States.

The Center was established on the premise that racism has left an indelible mark on the architecture of American society and is embedded in its laws, institutions, and systems. We believe that meaningful change requires sustained education, research, advocacy, and community engagement. From its founding, the Center has focused its work at the intersection of race and the criminal legal system, where racial disparities are most acute and the need for reform most urgent.

Since its launch, the Center has grown into a permanent and active part of the NYU Law community, engaging students, faculty, practitioners, policymakers, and the broader public in rigorous conversation and action on race and inequality. It works in partnership with civil rights organizations, academic institutions, and community leaders across the country to advance a more fair and equitable legal system for all.