Nikki Luellen is the policy and advocacy strategist on smart justice for the ACLU of Texas.
As a person directly impacted by the criminal justice system and advocate for justice for over a decade, Nikki is all too familiar with the trauma that incarceration has upon a person and their loved ones. Her life’s work has involved advocating against systems of oppression — whether it's through her art, political writings, or involvement with campaign work and protests.
In her previous position as Field Organizer for Texas Advocates for Justice, she implemented key programs which informed and engaged the community on political happenings in Harris County, and helped create a free mental health program for directly impacted people.
As a student at Texas Southern University, she was President of the TSU Hip Hop Society. While President, she created a Black history course called Liberation School — a place where students and members of the community learned and discussed the importance of Black culture and history. Nikki was also the political columnist for the Texas Southern University student newspaper and The TSU Herald. Nikki worked as the campaign manager for the Justice 4 Alva Campaign, where she fought alongside Nikita Braziel to demand justice for her husband Alva Braziel, who was brutally murdered by two Houston police officers.
She looks forward to continuing the fight against racism and discrimination in the criminal injustice system in Texas.