Ken Thompson’s widow creates fund to help college and law school students

October 14, 2019 Rob Abruzzese

Lu-Shawn Thompson with DA Eric Gonzalez at the suit drive that the Metropolitan Black Bar Association helped to organize back in 2017. File photo by Rob Abruzzese

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Thursday was the third anniversary of the death of former District Attorney Ken Thompson so his widow Lu-Shawn Thompson took the opportunity to announce a fund that will help “the next generation of Kenneth Thompsons” attend college and law school.

“For me, the past three years have not been about wallowing in sadness, because I know that is not what Kenny would have wanted,” Thompson said. “But rather, I have been intentional and immersed myself in work that I know would keep his legacy alive.”

Last year, Thompson helped to establish a lecture series at NYU School of Law in her former husband’s name, the Kenneth P. Thompson Lecture Series on Race and Criminal Justice Reform.

“The purpose of this lecture series is to continue the dialogue that Kenny started during the time he served as Brooklyn district attorney,” Thompson said. “This annual event brings together some of the preeminent minds in the field of criminal justice reform who are working to make strides to overcome racial and cultural biases in the system.”

Two years ago, she got involved with the Metropolitan Black Bar Association and current District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and donated 20 of her husband’s old suits as part of the now annual Suited for Success men’s suit drive.

Her newest venture is called the Ken Thompson Social Justice Fund at NYU Law. It’s meant to help the next generation of progressive prosecutors and attorneys get into college and law school. Donations can be made online through the law school’s website.