Olayemi Olurin is a Bahamian-American movement lawyer, political commentator, writer, and abolitionist thinker whose work has significantly impacted discussions on systemic racism, criminal justice reform, and the prison-industrial complex in the United States. Born on July 27, 1993, in Nassau, The Bahamas, to a Nigerian father and Bahamian mother, Olurin’s multicultural background has deeply influenced her perspectives and advocacy.
Early Life and Education
In 2008, at the age of 15, Olurin moved to the United States to pursue her education, aiming to facilitate her path to becoming a lawyer. She attended high school in the U.S., where she was often the only Black student in her class, exposing her to firsthand experiences of racism and cultural isolation. These early experiences shaped her understanding of systemic inequalities and fueled her passion for justice.
Olurin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University, majoring in Political Science Pre-Law, with a minor in African American Studies and a Certificate in Law, Justice, and Culture. She later obtained her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law in 2018.
Legal Career and Advocacy
After graduating, Olurin began her legal career at The Legal Aid Society in New York City, serving as a public defender from 2018 until 2022. In this role, she represented individuals who could not afford legal representation, many of whom were marginalized and disproportionately affected by systemic injustices. Her work involved advocating against the incarceration of clients for minor offenses, such as fare evasion, highlighting the criminalization of poverty.
In 2021, Olurin gained significant attention after posting a video on Twitter showing an NYPD officer kneeling on her client’s neck. This incident led to the dismissal of charges against her client and underscored the systemic issues within law enforcement practices. The experience reinforced her commitment to advocating for systemic change within the criminal justice system.
Feeling disillusioned with the limitations of traditional legal practice, Olurin left The Legal Aid Society at the end of 2022 to focus on advocacy full-time. She began working with criminal justice reform advocates to shape media messaging and launched a YouTube channel to further her outreach.
Media Presence and Public Commentary
Olurin has established herself as a prominent voice in media, appearing on platforms such as The Hill, MSNBC, CBS, NBC, iHeartRadio, NPR, Yahoo News, VOA News, Brut Media, BNC, and The Law & Crime Network. Her commentary often focuses on systemic racism, abolition, and critiques of the prison-industrial complex.
In her writings, published in outlets like Teen Vogue, Essence Magazine, and The Grio, Olurin confronts the portrayal of law enforcement in media and highlights the pervasive influence of systemic racism. For instance, in a Teen Vogue article titled “Law & Order Taught Americans to Root for the Police,” she argues that police dramas help convince Americans that more policing is always the answer.
Olurin also hosts “Olurinatti The Show” on YouTube, where she releases full-length documentary-style videos exploring various socio-political issues. Additionally, she conducts an Iconic Interview Series and hosts the podcast “Olay & Friends,” available on Spotify.
Advocacy for Criminal Justice Reform
A staunch advocate for criminal justice reform, Olurin is deeply involved in the movement to decarcerate and close Rikers Island, a notorious pre-trial detention center in New York City where numerous individuals have died awaiting trial. She educates the public about systemic racism and the need to divest from the prison-industrial complex, emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of resources, rather than relying on punitive measures.
Olurin’s abolitionist perspective challenges traditional views on criminal justice. She argues that the current system perpetuates inequality and fails to address the underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior. In her view, mass incarceration is akin to modern-day slavery, benefiting economically but failing to enhance public safety. She advocates for reallocating resources from policing and prisons to social services that address poverty, mental health, and education, aiming to create a more equitable society.
Notable Public Engagements
In March 2024, Olurin engaged in a high-profile debate with New York City Mayor Eric Adams on “The Breakfast Club,” a popular radio show hosted by Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy. During the interview, she challenged Mayor Adams on his administration’s policies related to policing, systemic racism, and criminal justice reform. Her pointed questions and well-researched arguments highlighted the shortcomings of the current administration’s approach to these critical issues.
Olurin has also been vocal about high-profile legal cases that highlight systemic issues within the justice system. For example, she criticized the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict, arguing that it undermines the modern understanding of self-defense and incentivizes violence. She emphasized the disparity in how the justice system treats individuals based on race and the dangerous precedent set by the case.
