James Forman Jr.

James Forman Jr. is a distinguished legal scholar and author, renowned for his expertise in criminal justice reform. A professor at Yale Law School, he passionately explores the intersections of race, law, and social justice. Forman’s critically acclaimed book, "Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America," won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 2018. Growing up in Atlanta, the son of civil rights activists deeply influenced his commitment to equity and justice. A former public defender, Forman co-founded the Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., dedicated to serving at-risk youth.