On Nov. 7, Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, accepted the 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights. Stevenson has represented individuals on death row since the 1980s, winning the release, relief, or reversal of conviction for over 145 people. He has also led efforts to challenge the treatment of children in the criminal justice system, arguing before the Supreme Court to end life-without-parole sentences for minors in the landmark case Miller v. Alabama. In 1989, he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, which provides legal services and systemic reform for vulnerable people. The organization also confronts the history of racism in the United States through research, education, and advocacy, recently opening The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration in the city of Montgomery, Ala.

As part of the event, Stevenson spoke to packed houses at the Student Union Theater and UConn School of Law, and met with members of the UConn community, as documented in these images taken by University Photographer Peter Morenus:

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, the recipient of the 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize, speaks at Starr Hall at UConn Law School in Hartford on Nov. 7, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, the recipient of the 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize, left, and Glenn Mitoma, director of the Dodd center, speak with students faculty and staff at the Alumni Center on Nov. 7, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, the recipient of the 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize, speaks with students faculty and staff at the Alumni Center on Nov. 7, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

President Tom Katsouleas speaks during 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize ceremony at the Student Union Theater on Nov. 7, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Helena Foulkes, chair of the Dodd center advisory board, hands the trophy to Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative during 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize ceremony at the Student Union Theater on Nov. 7, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, speaks during 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize ceremony at the Student Union Theater on Nov. 7, 2019. Seated from left are President Tom Katsouleas, Christopher Dodd, and Helena Foulkes. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, speaks during the 2019 Thomas J. Dodd Prize ceremony at the Student Union Theater on Nov. 7, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)