Richard Baxter – Oklahoma

Richard Zobon Baxter is the son of Liberian immigrants, and he works as a Freelance Paralegal in Tulsa, OK. He does legal research, and training for criminal defense clients, and their attorneys. Baxter first took an interest in the law while studying in the law library during his 121-year prison sentence for drug trafficking. After he researched his case and was awarded his release for illegal search and seizure, Baxter returned home to Tulsa, OK. Upon his release he attended Tulsa Community College’s Paralegal Studies program and graduated with honors Phi Theta Kappa. Prior to embracing the entrepreneur lifestyle Baxter worked as a Bail Disruptor for The Bail Project, a national undertaking on bail reform. He also worked as a paralegal for Tate Law Firm, Arbitral Law, and interned at the Tulsa Public Defender’s Office. As a formerly incarcerated person keenly aware of racial injustice, Baxter founded the non-profit organization, #racismstinks, which hosts educational events such as the annual Tulsa’s Race Against Racism. In addition, Baxter teaches a monthly class called “Home Safe,” to inform citizens how to protect themselves when encountered with law enforcement. Baxter hosts a weekly podcast where he tackles the national and local political and social issues of the day, and how they affect the North Tulsa community. He is one of 4 hosts on his radio show Negro Nights, a popular weekly radio broadcast in North Tulsa Oklahoma, featuring interviews with political and community leaders.