Dr. Kimberle Crenshaw

Biography

Kimberlé W. Crenshaw is a pioneering scholar and writer in the fields of civil rights, critical race theory, and Black feminist legal theory. She is the Isidor Seville Sulzbacher Professor of Law at Columbia Law School and has previously held a distinguished professorship at the University of California, Los Angeles. Crenshaw is best known for her work on intersectionality, a term she coined to describe the simultaneous impact of racial and gender prejudice. Her research and activism focus on key issues surrounding inequality, including the 'school to prison pipeline' affecting African American children and the issues faced by Black girls. She co-founded the African American Policy Forum (AAPF) and co-authored the publication 'Say Her Name,' which addresses police brutality against Black women and girls. Crenshaw has been involved in various influential initiatives, including the #SayHerName campaign and has contributed extensively to academic journals such as the Harvard Law Review and Stanford Law Review. She also engages in public speaking and workshops both nationally and internationally, advocating for social justice and human rights. Crenshaw’s contributions include serving as a rapporteur at the United Nations’ World Conference on Racism and was instrumental in drafting the equality clause of the South African Constitution. Her dedication to legal education and scholarship has been recognized with multiple honorary doctorates and prestigious awards.

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