Kamau Butcher, Director of Policy and Advocacy, is an attorney, organizer and seasoned policy professional with extensive experience in advancing decarceral policies and building powerful campaigns. Most recently, he served as Director at the People’s Coalition for Safety and Freedom, where he led campaign strategy and strategic relationship-building to develop the People’s Bill for Safety and Freedom. Previously, Kamau worked as an attorney with the Preserving Affordable Housing Program at Brooklyn Legal Services Corp. A, representing tenant associations to fight harassment and displacement in both defensive and affirmative litigation. 

Before becoming an attorney, Kamau worked as Policy Organizer for Bronx Defenders, where he co-founded the Bronx Defenders Organizing Project. In this role, Kamau coordinated direct actions, developed and facilitated curricula for Know Your Rights trainings and other political education, and led voter education and registration initiatives in New York City jails.

Kamau holds a JD from City University of New York School of Law and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Law from the University of Southern California. Outside of work, Kamau enjoys studying social movement history and strategy, sci-fi and fantasy stories and exploring different cuisines.