Black Law Student Association
“GETTING INVOLVED & GETTING IT DONE TOGETHER”
As Always, the Black Law Students’ Association (MSL BLSA) is on the move, being the change it wishes to see in this world and within the MSL Community. Looking back, MSL BLSA kicked off the school year by teaming up with Open Arms International Foundation of Cambridge , a non-profit organization which provides relief to the most vulnerable and underprivileged Haitians, Americans, and others across the world, in conducting a “Back to School Supplies and Medicine Drive” for Haiti. During the first week in September, the supplies collected were delivered by a team of volunteers. Other events included a fall membership drive where upper-level students interacted with first year students during the Orientation Dinner, attending the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington D.C., hosting a Dinner with BLSA where faculty members, students, and alumni discussed ways to champion law school, and feeding the less fortunate with the Barristers Club. During our Week of Service, we collected winter clothes and wrapped gifts for local families in need at the Lazarus House of Lawrence; we also had an international book drive and sent the books to schools in Africa. MSL BLSA was publicly thanked by the Pumpkin Patch Organization for volunteering in its annual give away of costumes to 1,500 children at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Fall fundraisers for chapter initiatives included the Annual Black & White Soiree Social, Car Wash, and a Good Old Fashion Bake Sale. Additionally, the C.H.A.I.N. Fund Program, a non-profit program that takes care of the immediate needs of many affected with cancer was introduced to the MSL Community for the first time. On December 1, MSL was covered in Red and White for World Aids’ Day. Many students and faculty members wore red and white. BLSA members distributed red ribbons and pamphlets that contained information on prevention and helping those affected with the virus. Funds were raised for “Keep a Child Alive,” a program that provides medication to children affected by the virus in Africa. Midnight Breakfast was a success! MSL BLSA and the Office of Academic Support offered students reviews, study sessions and breakfast as they prepared for final exams.
MSL BLSA started the spring semester with its MLK Day of Service in Jamaica Plain in Boston, where volunteers made dental kits, scarves, hats, Valentine’s Day cards and MLK & Malcolm X picture frames for a local homeless shelter. A Valentine’s Day Bake Sale raised funds for MSL’s First Annual Bone Marrow Drive where students and volunteers gave cheek swabs to become future donors of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The reenactment of the 1954 case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, not only educated students about an impact in America’s history, but opened an avenue for discussion amongst students and professors. What’s more fun than giving back to the community? MSL BLSA donated its time and efforts with the Barristers Club in its monthly feeding the less fortunate at the Lawrence YMCA and put their cooking talents to the test in cooking for the Lawrence Lazarus House’s Soup Kitchen.
Each year, members of BLSA compete in the National Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition, a competition held in order to develop future lawyers with strong courtroom skills as they prepare for various components of a trial. This year, two teams represented the region and MSL at the National BLSA Convention in Houston, Texas. MSL BLSA extends a HUGE congratulation to all participants of the 2011 Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Team and to coaches Michael Coyne,Daniel Harayda, Anthony Copani, Darius Greene, and Kimberly Gillespie.
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Felicea Robinson, MSL BLSA President
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