BLSA coordinates lectures, programs, and activities for its members, alumni, and the entire law school community. The overall objectives of our organization are:

1. Increase the number of African American students and professors as well as increase the diversity of academic offerings at the Law School .
2. Create a supportive environment for current students.
3. Provide opportunities to enhance academic performance, increase networking opportunities mentoring relationships and career development.
4. Serve the surrounding community.

These goals are pursued by a variety of methods. BLSA spends a significant amount of time focusing on the recruitment and retention of minority students and faculty. Student quality of life is addressed through career advancement programs, academic development initiatives, speaker series, and programs promoting a stronger, cohesive support network for entering students. Our community service projects include clothing drives, tutoring, collaborative efforts with area youth organizations and schools, as well as other activities.

BLSA continues to prepare Black law Students for the challenges of law school and the legal profession while continuously striving to create a diverse atmosphere at Chicago Law.

Please see below for a schedule of upcoming events this quarter. Check back frequently for updates.

Winter Quarter - 2007

January Events:

• January 8 - January 15: University of Chicago Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
  The U of C's list of events for Martin Luther King Week can be found here.

• January 17: Thurgood Marshall Lecture Series
  12:15 p.m., Speaker Prof. Kevin J. McMahon (Room II)
  Prof. Kevin J. McMahon of Trinity College, Connecticut, and author of "Reconsidering Roosevelt on Race" speaks on "How FDR Paved the Path to Brown v. Bd. of Education"
  This is the second lecture in a series of four sponsored by the Black Law Students Association commemorating the 40th anniversary of Thurgood Marshall's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. The series is intended to more in-depth discussion of Marshall's general contributions to American law, judicial philosophy, and also of the monumental cases in which he played a part. Please note, all lectures in the series are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  The first lecture, "Marshall's Conception of Equality" by Cass Sunstein, is available as a podcast here.

February Events:

• February 1-28: Organization of Black Students Black History Month Thursdays
  8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., On the main campus (Bartlett Lounge)
  All are invited to get introduced to, learn about, appreciate, support, and nurture the diversity and vibrancy of the Black community on this campus and beyond. Please contact Ayodele T.M. Adesanya for more information.

• February 6-28: Earl B. Dickerson Chapter of BLSA presents Black History Month
  A complete schedule can be found here.

• February 9: CCBLSA Gala
  6:00 p.m., The Chicago Council of BLSA Gala (Museum of Science and Industry)
  Last year's gala was a great event, bringing together law students and attorneys from the Chicago legal community. Contacts for the event: Brittany or Veronica. Tickets will go on sale in early January.