Author Profile

Jerika L. Richardson is a former journalist, public policy advocate and strategist. As Senior Vice President for Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives at the National Urban League, she currently leads the organization’s policy and advocacy, public education, and strategic work on civic engagement and voting rights, police accountability, criminal justice reform, reparations and restorative justice, gun violence, combating hate and extremism, and other justice related areas. Ms. Richardson also hosts the National Urban League’s “Justice Now” YouTube series, which shines a light on justice and equity issues in the U.S.A. and the dynamic individuals striving to solve them. Previously, she was the Deputy Executive Director and the Senior Advisor & Secretary to the Board for the nation’s largest independent police oversight agency, the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Ms. Richardson has also served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Counsel to the Mayor of New York City and Special Advisor to the Mayor for media relations, criminal justice, and public safety planning. Before working in City Hall, she was the Senior Spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York and a Field Producer & Off-Air Reporter for ABC News. Ms. Richardson holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. in English from Spelman College.