User:Alumnirelationsblsa/sandbox/BLACK LAW STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (DRAFT)

The Black Law Students' Association of Canada (BLSA Canada), founded in 1991, is a student-run, non-profit

organization committed to fostering mentorship and providing unwavering support to pre-law students, law students, and legal professionals in common and civil law in both official languages. BLSA Canada was born out of a need to enhance access to the legal profession for Black law students in Canada.

THE BEGINNING OF A LEGACY
In March 1991, following a meeting with the Ontario Attorney General’s office earlier that year about employment opportunities for Black law students in the various government legal services agencies, Joane Lewis, then the equity director at the University of Ottawa, convened with a few students at Osgoode Hall Law School to discuss pertinent issues facing Black law students and explore the potential of forming a province-wide organization.

Later that same year, the pivotal meeting held at Queen’s University solidified the realization that there was a pressing need to create a Black Law Students’ organization. Recognizing the importance of having a dedicated forum to address the unique challenges faced by Black law students, they decided to host a National Conference to bring together and empower Black law students across the country. This began a legacy dedicated to bringing together and empowering Black law students nationwide.

BLSA CANADA’s INAUGURAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
On February 21-23, 1992, the first national Conference of Black Law Students was held in Toronto to honor Black judges in Canada. The Conference was the first of its kind to focus on "Access to Justice." Delegates from Dalhousie University, the University of Manitoba, and the Ontario Law Schools attended it. The Canadian Bar Association, the Ministry of Multiculturalism and Citizenship, and law schools supported the Conference. To ensure some form of permanency, the "Black Law Students' Association of Canada" was developed by those in attendance.

That same year, a new tradition began: the BLSA Canada executive board was invited by its US counterpart, the National Black Law Students' Association (NBLSA), to attend its National Conference in New York City. Every year since then, BLSA Canada has sent a few board members to the NBLSA conference and vice versa.

BLSA CANADA TAKES SHAPE
On February 25-26, 1993, the second annual national conference was hosted at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, with the theme “Access II – A Call to Commitment,” which had more students and legal professionals in attendance compared to the previous year. During the conference, pivotal decisions were made by those in attendance, such as finalizing BLSA Canada’s organizational structure, crafting by-laws, and initiating preliminary debate surrounding the organization’s Constitution. At the heart of these developments was the formation of a steering committee led by Gerry McNeilly and composed of Margaret Parsons, Jacqueline Lawrence, Rudolph Clarke, Cheryl Byard, Rose Adams, Tanya Brothers, and Carlos Charles. It was decided that BLSA Canada should be community-focused, which meant supporting vital issues facing the Black community. Collaborating with organizations like the Law Society of Upper Canada (now Law Society of Ontario), Toronto Race Relations, and the Policy Branch of the Attorney General of Ontario, BLSA Canada received crucial funding for research initiatives. Notable studies, led by individuals such as Felix Weekes, Sophia Ruddick, and Andrea Timoll, delved into topics including a comprehensive review of Canadian law school admissions policies, a survey exploring the experiences of Canadian Black law students, and examinations of issues related to women and the law.

The enduring journey of BLSA Canada was shaped by the dedication and commitment of a handful of individuals who recognized the necessity of having a Black Law Students Organization run by and for students. Their unwavering efforts established the foundation for the ongoing tradition of the National Conference. They served as the driving force that kept BLSA Canada alive, maintaining its steadfast commitment over time.

BLSA CANADA TODAY
BLSA Canada has significantly expanded its reach with over 14 Local Chapters nationwide, reaching high school and undergraduate students. BLSA Canada is committed to making resources and information available to enhance accessibility to law school for Black individuals interested in pursuing a legal career.

Over the past 32 years, BLSA Canada has steadfastly maintained this commitment, which is evident in its evolving portfolios designed to increase access for law students and legal professionals. These portfolios prioritize advocacy, equality, and justice within the legal community.

For instance, the BLSA Cares portfolio, launched in 2013, has implemented impactful programs like the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers X BLSA Canada Mentorship Program, connecting pre-law students with law students and law students with legal professionals. Other initiatives under this portfolio include the See Yourself Here events, Bilingual Clerkship Open House, Clerkship Application Review, Pre-Law Expo events, and the BLSA Cares Scholarship—all aimed at providing essential resources and information for success from pre-law to law school and beyond.

Under the Francophone Committee’s umbrella, the Civil Law section organizes annual events, such as the Civil Law Negotiation competition, which focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Civil Law symposium, initiated in 2015, stands out as a significant Afro-Canadian legal convention, providing a platform for discussions on contemporary issues facing the Black community in Quebec and fostering collaboration among civil law students and legal professionals.

The Julius Alexander Isaac Moot (the ‘Isaac’) competition, formerly known as the ‘Annual Koskie Minsky Diversity Moot Competition,’ is a unique, student-run moot in Canada that addresses critical race theory. Held annually to celebrate Black History Month and two weeks before the National Conference, the Isaac competition allows Black law students to showcase their advocacy skills and increase visibility in the legal community.

The annual National Conference is a highly anticipated event featuring a different focus and theme each year. It consistently delivers exceptional opportunities for Black pre-law students, law students, and legal professionals to network through diverse programming, including panels on various aspects of the law, cocktails mixers, CPD sessions, excursions, and galas.

In 2023, the National Conference reached a significant milestone, hosting over 500 participants in Halifax, Nova Scotia, under the theme 'Forward & Upward: Bending the Arc Towards Justice,' with Justice Michael Tulloch, Chief Justice of Ontario, serving as the keynote speaker.

Through myriad initiatives, from mentorship programs and scholarships to impactful events and competitions, BLSA Canada continues to uplift and support Black individuals on their legal career paths. As the National Conference reaches new heights and the various portfolios evolve, BLSA Canada remains at the forefront of creating a more accessible, collaborative, and inclusive legal landscape. As we reflect on the past and look toward the future, it is evident that BLSA Canada's enduring dedication will continue to shape a more inclusive and equitable legal community.