The National Black Law Students Association: A Legacy of Advocacy and Progress

The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) stands as a pivotal force in shaping the legal profession, fostering diversity, and advocating for social justice. As the largest student-run organization in America, NBLSA has consistently worked to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. With a rich history spanning over five decades, NBLSA's influence extends from law school campuses to international communities, leaving an indelible mark on the legal landscape.

Founding and Evolution

In 1968, Algernon Johnson “A.J.” Cooper, former mayor of Prichard, Alabama, founded the Black American Law Students Association (BALSA) at the New York University Law School. BALSA’s purpose was to effectuate change in the legal system. The association endeavored to sensitize the law and legal profession to the ever-increasing needs of the Black community. This commitment has never wavered.

The organization's initial focus was to address the underrepresentation of Black individuals in the legal field and to advocate for their interests within the legal system. In 1983, BALSA revised its name. The word “American” was deleted to encompass all Blacks who were not of American nationality. This change reflected a broader commitment to inclusivity and a recognition of the global dimensions of racial justice.

National and International Impact

Today, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) has over 200 chapters at law schools throughout the country. This represents almost every ABA accredited law school, plus several non-accredited law schools. These chapters represent over 6,000 Black law students in six regions, which encompass 48 states including Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Recently, NBLSA established international links with Black law students in Canada, England and South Africa who decided to model their student organizations after NBLSA. NBLSA’s societal impact is enormous.

NBLSA's influence extends beyond national borders, with established links to Black law students in Canada, England, and South Africa, who have modeled their organizations after NBLSA. This international network underscores the organization's commitment to global collaboration and the exchange of ideas and strategies for advancing racial justice.

Key Initiatives and Programs

NBLSA continues to conduct its prestigious Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition and expand its national Adopt-A-School Program. In addition, through its Nelson Mandela Scholarship Program, NBLSA awards six scholarships of over $500.00 each to black law students annually. With emphasis on economic self-help, abolishing apartheid, and forwarding a progressive civil rights position, NBLSA continues its strong commitment to the objectives of the Association.

Through these initiatives, NBLSA provides valuable opportunities for professional development, community engagement, and financial assistance, empowering Black law students to excel in their academic and professional pursuits.

Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition

The Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition is a cornerstone of NBLSA's programming, providing a platform for law students to hone their advocacy skills and engage with critical legal issues. This prestigious competition attracts participants from across the country and serves as a training ground for future leaders in the legal profession.

Adopt-A-School Program

NBLSA's Adopt-A-School Program exemplifies its commitment to community outreach and mentorship. Through this initiative, NBLSA chapters partner with local schools to provide academic support, mentorship, and exposure to the legal profession for young students. By investing in the next generation, NBLSA aims to inspire and empower students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in law.

Nelson Mandela Scholarship Program

The Nelson Mandela Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to Black law students, helping to alleviate the burden of tuition and other expenses. By supporting students who demonstrate a commitment to social justice and academic excellence, NBLSA ensures that talented individuals have the opportunity to pursue their legal education and make a meaningful impact on their communities.

Read also: Eligibility for National Awards

Addressing Challenges and Striving for Growth

Despite its many accomplishments, NBLSA faces ongoing challenges in its mission to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Recent legislation has decreased the amount students can borrow for grad school, imperiling first-generation students and students from families without means in their path to a J.D. What's more, scholarships that would reduce the need to rely on student loans have been cut as institutional DEI-related support dries up. But as we seek to grow, our biggest supporters-law firms-have been attacked and thus scared away from giving financial support to our organization, as they don't want an executive order targeting their firms. Though we still have support from some law firms, a good number of them have stopped funding our mission. Yet in this moment of regression, we're striving for growth. Your gift is tax-deductible (EIN: 23-7627201).

NBLSA remains steadfast in its commitment to building bridges to the legal profession for Black and minority law students, steadily increasing the pipeline of Black and minority attorneys.

Local Chapters: The Cooley Law School Black Law Student Association of Tampa Bay

The Cooley Law School Black Law Student Association of Tampa Bay really pulled out all the stops when they put on this year’s Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Black Tie Ball. Black Tie Co-Chair Devan Hardeway, a second-year law student from Columbus, Georgia, shared the rich history of the Black Tie event and how it evolved over the years. Co-Chair Ashley Hart, a second-year student from Plant City, Florida, explained how Cooley’s Tampa Bay BLSA started. “The Tampa Bay Chapter of BLSA was charted in June 2013 as an affiliate of the National Black Law Students Association. The Black Tie Ball is an annual event of BLSA affiliates throughout the United States. BLSA has been involved in many important events. In the fall, BLSA members participated in an event at Middleton High School called “Responding to a Law Enforcement Encounter,” where local judges and law enforcement spent an evening speaking to high school students about the correct way to respond to law enforcement officers in various situations. BLSA also participated in collecting and delivering donated items to children living at Everyday Blessings, a nonprofit foster care facility in Thonotosassa. They also organized “Study with BLSA,” where professors presented midterm reviews for first-term students. Cooley Professor and BLSA faculty adviser Renalia DuBose introduced keynote speaker Marie Campbell, Esq., VP of Compliance and Assistant General Counsel GTE Financial.

The University of Chicago Law School's BLSA Chapter

UChicago Law’s BLSA is part of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), a nationwide network of more than 180 chapters.

At the Law School, members of BLSA are exposed to a wide range of academic support and professional development opportunities, including test‑taking workshops, résumé reviews, cover‑letter guidance, and job‑search assistance. The organization also hosts guest speakers and campus conversations designed to raise awareness about issues affecting Black law students and the broader Black community.

There are also a number of traditions BLSA members work hard to preserve, Sanye T. Sichinga, ’26, said. One of the most significant being the annual Parsons Dinner, which honors the legacy of James B. Parsons, ’49, the first African American to serve as an Article III federal judge. Going on its ninth year, the event invites a member of the judiciary to be recognized for their leadership and contributions to the legal profession.

UChicago Law's BLSA 2024-2025 Vice President Sanye Sichinga speaks at the 2025 James B.

A Commitment to Community

While much of BLSA’s work is visible through its events and programming, its influence on the Law School’s culture often extends beyond what appears on the calendar. Sichinga, who served as BLSA’s 2024-2025 vice president, argues that the organization doesn’t just benefit Black law students-their work positively affects the wider student body as well.

Sichinga also noted that BLSA leaders are frequently in close communication with Law School leadership, advocating for student needs in ways that benefit the broader student community, and not just their organization.

For Oisaghie, that advocacy feels especially urgent today.

Rooted in History

The Law School’s BLSA chapter is named in honor of Earl B. Dickerson, a trailblazing lawyer, civil rights leader, and the first African American to earn a Juris Doctor from the Law School in 1920. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at the plaque revealing ceremony on memorializing Nelson M. In 1918, Nelson M. Willis became the first Black man to earn a Bachelor of Laws from the Law School, a degree that was phased out in 1937. For many years, Dickerson was believed to be the first Black graduate of UChicago Law, until new research brought Willis’s story to light. On October 14, 2019, BLSA unveiled a plaque commemorating the life and career of Willis. Installed adjacent to an existing plaque honoring Dickerson, the memorial symbolically connects two pioneers whose paths overlapped at the Law School.

For today’s BLSA leaders, this history carries a clear responsibility.

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