SMU Black Law Students Association

Save the Date for the SMU Black Law Students Association's 2025 Annual End of Year Banquet on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM at Del Frisco's in Dallas. We’re celebrating the completion of another successful year with an afternoon of reflection, recognition, and inspiration. Awards will be presented, and a powerful keynote speaker will share insights to motivate us all! Let’s come together to celebrate our achievements and the vibrant BLSA community.

The 2025 SMU BLSA Annual Black History Month Luncheon was a memorable and impactful program! With our theme “Honoring Our Legacy, Forging Our Future," we took the time to reflect on the incredible strides made by the Black community, while looking forward to continuing that journey. We were honored to have Judge Tonya Parker as our keynote speaker. She delivered a powerful, timely speech that not only highlighted significant moments in Black history but also shared her personal journey from law student to judge. Her words were a reminder of the challenges faced and the progress we've made, and they inspired us all to keep pushing forward. To make the event even more engaging, we hosted a fun Black History Trivia Activity, where we paid homage to some of the trailblazing Black legal pioneers whose legacies have paved the way for many of us in the legal field today. It was a fantastic time of learning, celebration, and community. Looking forward to continuing to honor our past while forging ahead into a brighter future. Our luncheon was featured in SMU’s newspaper, the Daily Campus: https://lnkd.in/gkRvT5A9

Please join us for our 2025 annual Black History Month Luncheon, titled "Honoring Our Legacy, Forging Our Future.” This year’s program is dedicated to recognizing the incredible contributions of those who came before us while looking ahead to the work still left to do. By honoring the legacy of Black legal professionals, we not only reflect on the strength, resilience, and determination that have shaped the legal field but also recommit ourselves to paving the way for future generations. We are thrilled to have The Honorable Judge Tonya Parker join us as our keynote speaker, bringing her unique perspective on leadership, justice, and the legacy of Black legal professionals. Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 12th at 1:00 PM to secure your spot at this impactful luncheon. There is a cap of 50 attendees, so please RSVP at your earliest convenience. We look forward to your participation in this important conversation as we commemorate Black History Month together! https://lnkd.in/gzuq385X

Please join us for our 2025 annual Black History Month Luncheon, titled "Honoring Our Legacy, Forging Our Future.” This year’s program is dedicated to recognizing the incredible contributions of those who came before us while looking ahead to the work still left to do. By honoring the legacy of Black legal professionals, we not only reflect on the strength, resilience, and determination that have shaped the legal field but also recommit ourselves to paving the way for future generations. We are thrilled to have The Honorable Judge Tonya Parker join us as our keynote speaker, bringing her unique perspective on leadership, justice, and the legacy of Black legal professionals. Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 12th at 1:00 PM to secure your spot at this impactful luncheon. There is a cap of 50 attendees, so please RSVP at your earliest convenience. We look forward to your participation in this important conversation as we commemorate Black History Month together! https://lnkd.in/gzuq385X

SMU BLSA had an amazing time this past weekend at the Southwest Region of the Black Law Students Association 9th Annual Convention! From insightful panels to networking with talented professionals, it was a weekend full of growth and inspiration. Most exciting of all, we were honored to receive Best Medium Chapter of the Year at the Gala! A huge shoutout to everyone who made this possible. We’re already looking forward to next year! #SWBLSA

This weekend, I was honored to be inaugurated as the 116th President of the Dallas Bar Association. However, the true success was the over $1.2M raised for the Equal Access to Justice campaign providing legal aid to the low income citizens of N. Texas through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. Thank you to our EAJ Campaign Chairs Lauren E. Black and Tim Newman, along with Honorary Chairs Anna M. Alvarado and Matt Henry, for your dedication and hard work. P.S. there's still time to give to push us over the top. Laura Benitez Geisler Rob Crain Sally Crawford Brad Weber Jim Burnham Robert Tobey Molly Steele Jerry Alexander Paul Stafford Rhonda Hunter Bill Mateja Krisi Kastl PETER VOGEL (MS Computer Science and JD) Harriet Miers Cheryl Camin Murray Michael K. Hurst

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting an insightful Networking & Professionalism Panel with incredible attorneys who shared their experiences navigating the legal field as underrepresented professionals. They offered valuable advice on building strong networks, advocating for yourself, and overcoming barriers in the industry. A huge thank you to our panelists Briana August, Kandace Walter, and Preston Tyson for their time and wisdom, and to all our members who attended and engaged in these important conversations!

An unforgettable night at the J. L. Turner Legal Association Gala! Celebrating not only the achievements of our community but also the future of the legal field. Congratulations to all of the outstanding students who were awarded scholarships, including our very own Mariah Wheeler, Patricia Noel, and Anaka Adams—your accomplishments are a testament to your talent, preserverance, and dedication! It was truly a memorable evening with everyone embracing the Met Gala theme in style and witnessing the 2025 Board be sworn in. The future of J. L. Turner Legal Association is looking brighter than ever!

Thank you, SMU Black Law Students Association, for allowing us to be a part of?your event. And thank you, Tiereney Bowman, for all you do to represent the firm throughout the community.