The Equal Justice Initiative
The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson. Perhaps some of you have heard of him as the bestselling author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice of Redemption, which was made into a movie in 2019.
Acknowledging that the United States incarcerates its citizens more than any other country, EJI provides legal representation to people who have been wrongfully convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in jails and prisons. EJI challenges not only the death penalty but also other forms of excessive punishment. Further, EJI focuses on reforming the criminal justice system. For example, it successfully brought the Supreme Court to recognize that people with dementia and other mental illnesses should be protected from execution.
In addition to being in the forefront of the individual legal battles in fighting for justice, EJI actively educates those willing to learn. In the efforts to achieve this, EJI founded and runs a Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery Alabama. The National Memorial of Peace & Justice is the nation’s first memorial dedicated to the legacy of enslaved Black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.
We recognize the systemic issues related to racism that has existed in the U.S. for far too long and we support the movement to raise awareness and to create change around these issues. In 2020 alone, we saw unjust deaths of gunned downed Black men and women like Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery Rayshard Brooks, Elijah McClain, and so many others. We believe in dismantling systemic racism and believe that it starts with difficult discussions. We will also do our part through learning and storytelling and continuing to support organizations like EJI, the final nonprofit organization we are donating 10% of our profits to this quarter. We stand by EJI in ending mass incarceration and achieving equality, justice and fairness for all Americans.
To learn more about EJI and to donate directly to them, please visit www.eji.org.