Almost 25 years after it was first conceived, the vision of the Institute at LDF has been realized and we continue to honor Thurgood Marshall’s legacy through our work.
A: Launched in 2015, the Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multidisciplinary research and advocacy center at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF). While LDF is known for its impact litigation, the Institute complements LDF’s educational and non-litigation advocacy by undertaking innovative civil rights research, launching targeted issue campaigns, and preserving civil rights history in Archives.
A: TMI operates within LDF, with staff in both New York and Washington, D.C. More than a building in the brick-and-mortar sense, the Institute functions as an interdisciplinary and integrated hub within LDF.
A: The Institute's issue campaigns are advocacy efforts targeted to specific locations. Learn more about our issue campaigns here.
A: The Institute's research focuses on LDF’s four areas of expertise: criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation. Learn more about our research here.
A: The Library of Congress has 276 boxes of LDF records (up to 1968) available. Records held onsite at LDF are not open for research.
A: Connect with us via social media, email, or phone here.
A: Please consult LDF’s Employment Opportunities page for current opportunities.
James A. Cadogan, Director of the Thurgood Marshall Institute