When: The National Black Law Students Association was founded in 1968 to address and promote the needs of Black law students during a period of significant social change. The organization was initially known as the Black American Law Students Association before evolving into its current form to reflect its broader national and international scope.
Who: The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), founded by Algernon Johnson Cooper, is an organization that represents nearly 6,000 minority law students across more than 200 ABA-accredited law school campuses and includes chapters or affiliates in six countries, including The Bahamas, Nigeria, and South Africa.
What: NBLSA is a non-profit organization that advances the interests and goals of Black and minority law students. It offers multiple resources and opportunities, including legal activism, professional development, and academic support. The association also hosts annual conventions, such as the Frederick Douglass Moot Court and Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competitions, to promote leadership and excellence in legal business.
Where: The headquarters of NBLSA is located in Washington, D.C. The organization operates across the United States and internationally, with chapters in many countries and representation in law schools throughout 48 states and Puerto Rico.
Why: NBLSA was created to address the systemic challenges faced by Black law students and to drive meaningful change within the legal profession. The organization aims to cultivate culturally responsible and socially conscious attorneys who can impact their communities positively and contribute to a more equitable legal system.
Sources:
Websites:
National Black Law Students Association. (n.d.). Wild Apricot - National Black Law Students Association. https://nationalblsa.wildapricot.org
LinkedIn. (n.d.). National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA). https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-black-law-students-association