What was the most rewarding part of being on the BLSA Executive Board?
It's a three-way tie: supporting the professional development of BLSA members, students of color, and women at the law school, working with BLSA teammates who are accomplished, smart, kind, and creative, and working with lawyers and legal professionals who are committed to advancing diversity in the legal profession.
What challenges did you face as a member of the BLSA Executive Board?
BLSA Firm Relations offers many rewarding opportunities to contribute meaningfully to our community, but coordinating the Diversity Reception is a significant undertaking. I knew going in that BLSA Firm Relations is a fulltime job. I ran for the position because I hoped to contribute to BLSA, an organization and community that has consistently sustained me throughout my law school career.
The Diversity Reception involves careful planning several months before the event, forging and maintaining relationships with firms that are the biggest supporters of diverse UVA Law students, marketing, outreach and guidance for about 100 1Ls each semester, and more. Doing all of this while completing a full course load, volunteering for pro bono projects, and preparing for 1L and 2L OGI, among other tasks, was one of the biggest challenges I've encountered during law school. But I grew from the experience and learned how energizing it is to believe in the work we do. Most importantly, I was grateful and fortunate to work as part of an incredible BLSA team. I will always treasure memories of working closely with talented BLSA Executive Board teammates to make all of this possible for our organization and the broader UVA Law community.
How did your participation in the BLSA Executive Board shape you as a Black professional?
Serving on the UVA BLSA Executive Board provided immeasurable professional and personal growth. BLSA has pushed me to try to understand unique Black perspectives that differ from my own and to seek out inclusive, unifying approaches as we promote and amplify Black voices in the legal profession.