I’m Riana Medford, a Brooklyn native, daughter of Caribbean immigrants, and J.D. candidate at Howard University School of Law, graduating in May 2027.

Long before I began studying the law, I was shaped by dance, writing, hip-hop playing in my father’s car, and an early fascination with the legal system that began when I sat in a courtroom at thirteen. Today, that curiosity drives my work at the intersection of entertainment, intellectual property, emerging technology, and creator rights.

I believe the law should protect and empower the culture it governs, not misunderstand, exploit, or exclude the people who create it. From helping lead educational initiatives for independent artists through The Copyright Society to developing legal-tech concepts designed to protect creators’ digital identities and likenesses, I am committed to making legal protections more accessible. My goal is to help creators understand their rights, protect their work, and retain ownership of the art, brands, and legacies they build.