President & Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Civil Rights Activist

Queens, NY, USA
Live Event: $50,000 - $100,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Janai Nelson Biography

Janai Nelson, the President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), stepped into this role in March 2022. She previously held prominent academic positions such as Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship and Associate Director of the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development at St. John's University School of Law. As a professor of Law, Nelson was a significant figure in academia and was recognized for her influence in legal education by Lawyers of Color's 50 Under 50 minority professors in 2013.

Nelson has been involved in several major legal cases, including "Hayden v. Pataki," "NAACP v. Hood," "Banks v. Dretke," "Veasey v. Abbott," and "National Urban League, et al. v. Trump." Her work in these cases, dealing with issues such as voting rights, capital murder, and discrimination, demonstrates her adeptness in navigating complex legal terrains. Notably, she represented Professor Nikole Hannah-Jones in a tenure lawsuit against the University of North Carolina Board of Regents, further showcasing her commitment to addressing discrimination in academia.

In addition to her legal and academic pursuits, Nelson has made significant contributions to the NAACP. She helped launch the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program and the Thurgood Marshall Institute at LDF, initiatives aimed at fostering civil rights leadership. Moreover, Nelson's role as an activist within the NAACP is indicative of her dedication to advancing civil rights. Nelson, an alumna of the UCLA School of Law and New York University, is indeed a significant figure in 21st-century American law, particularly in the realm of civil rights.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 11/13/2025.

Janai Nelson Videos

Are Black Votes Being Erased in Louisiana? ft. Janai Nelson | The Joy Reid Show

Are Black Votes Being Erased in Louisiana? ft. Janai Nelson | The Joy Reid Show

Joy Reid breaks down the Supreme Court’s Louisiana redistricting case and what it means for the Voting Rights Act. From LBJ and the Edmund Pettus...

Janai Nelson: A Call for Our Democracy Post the 2024 Elections

Janai Nelson: A Call for Our Democracy Post the 2024 Elections

This week marked the culmination of months of anticipation, momentum, and collective efforts, as citizens nationwide turned out to vote with passion...

LDF's Janai Nelson speaks at 2023 March on Washington

LDF's Janai Nelson speaks at 2023 March on Washington

LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson delivers an address at the 2023 March on Washington in Washington, D.C..

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  • What topics does Janai Nelson speak about?

    Janai Nelson is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Black Heritage, Civil Rights, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Female Leadership, Government, Influential Women, Law, Social Activism, Women
  • Where does Janai Nelson travel from?

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Janai Nelson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Janai Nelson for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Janai Nelson generally travels from Queens, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kimberlé Crenshaw, Tamika D. Mallory, Valerie Jarrett, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill and Dr. Bernice King. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Janai Nelson for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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