About the NBLSA

The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), founded in 1968, is a national organization formed to articulate and promote the needs and goals of black law students and effectuate change in the legal community. As the largest student run organization in the United States with over 6,000 members, NBLSA is also comprised of chapters or affiliates in six different countries including The Bahamas, Nigeria, and South Africa. Organized into six regions (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southern, Mid-West, Rocky Mountain and Western Region), the organization has over 200 chapters and is present in all but a few of the nation's accredited law schools, as well as unaccredited law schools. The headquarters of NBLSA is located in Washington, D.C. NBLSA encourages the development of talented, social conscious lawyers of tomorrow. Each year, the organization holds an annual convention to engage in legal activism and prepare new generations of black lawyers to "effectuate change." Additionally, the Frederick Douglass Moot Court and Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competitions are held during its Annual Convention. Notably, NBLSA assisted in the formation of the Black Law Students Association of Canada (BLSAC), The National Latino/Latina Student Association (NLLSA), National Association of Law Students with Disabilities (NALSD), and The National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA). In 1968, Algernon Johnson (“AJ”) Cooper, former mayor of Prichard, Alabama, founded the first Black American Law Students Association at the New York University Law School. In 1983, BALSA revised its name and the word "American" was deleted to encompass all blacks, including those not of American nationality. Later, the word "National" was added to reflect the organization's national expansion, which now includes representation in the law schools of forty-eight states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Eddie L. Koen, Jr. is the current National Chair for the 2007-2008 term. The immediate past chair is Michael T. Sterling, Associate of Sidley Austin, LLP. The Association has ties with the National Bar Association, the National Conference of Black Lawyers, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, The National Black Alliance, and the National Black Leadership Roundtable. However, the most important affiliation and duty this Association has is to the black community -- nationally and abroad. The theme for the 2008 year is "40 Years of History: Ensuring Inseverability." The Association has witnessed a surge in social activism for the 2007-2008 year. NBLSA has followed and taken action on the Genarlow Wilson case, the Jena Six controversy, the Seattle and Louisville Cases, as well as other popular controversial legal issues (such as the American Bar Associations 301-6 Bar Passage Standard Proposal). The year 2008 will mark the 40th Anniversary of the Association. Until his death in 1993, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was the honorary national chair. The 40th annual convention will be held March 26-30, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. A presentation exhibiting the history of the organization will be presented for public viewing.

Programs And Initiatives

The BLSA Chapter At the Thurgood Marshall School of Law initates itself with several activities within the chapter and the surrounding community. Some of these activites are activated by the NBLSA while others are created by our chapter. Some of these activites are:

• Law Student For A Day Program
• Adult Education Workshops
• Test Prep and College Application Workshops
• MLK Day of Service

Within the organization we also compete in various competitions such as Mock Trial, Moot Court, and BLSA Chapter of the Year.