Tyler Foster

Tyler Foster’s commitment to criminal legal reform is deeply rooted in personal experience. As a young adult, he was incarcerated for several months. During that time, he became a “jailhouse lawyer,” assisting others with their cases and leading legal empowerment workshops. This experience transformed his life and sparked his passion for using the law as a tool for liberation.

Tyler now attends the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law on a full-tuition scholarship, where he is ranked near the top of his class. Before law school, he worked as a community organizer, bringing together his lived experience and professional expertise to advocate for transformative justice. He earned his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Memphis.

Tyler has become a respected advocate for criminal legal reform. He serves as a board member of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN) and as vice president of the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH). He previously served on the board of Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality, and Benevolence (CALEB). In these roles, he has led grassroots campaigns and built cross-sector coalitions to challenge carceral systems and push for systemic change.

Tyler has contributed to research and advocacy projects at institutions including Georgetown University, New York University School of Law, and Harvard Law School. His work has been featured by various Memphis-based news outlets, such as Action News 5, WREG, The Daily Memphian, and The Commercial Appeal.

By combining his lived experience with legal training and community-rooted advocacy, Tyler works to dismantle oppressive systems and build a legal system centered on equity, dignity, and collective liberation. He is currently focused on integrating legal advocacy with movement-building strategies to expand access to justice and amplify the voices of directly impacted communities.