Derecka Purnell is a human rights lawyer, writer, and author, who has been instrumental in CDF’s fifty-year legacy as a former Servant Leader Intern and an ongoing voice of inspiration for our staff and young leaders at various events. Attorney Purnell’s work on criminal legal reform, abolition, and community organizing have begun to shape the national conversation around police reform versus abolition. Her writings and lectures bring light to the intersections of race, law, and social justice. Her public thought leadership and lived experiences are a testament to the possibilities for CDF children and youth for generations to come.
Derecka Purnell
Attorney, Author, & Activist
