Sponsorship

Dear Potential Sponsor,

Chicago-Kent’s Black Law Students Association exists to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and impact the community positively. We accomplish our mission through academic, social, political, cultural, professional, and service based events. The goal for all of our programming is to forward an environment where students feel represented, are motivated to achieve, and inspire others. We hope that by creating such an environment we are adding value to students at the Chicago-Kent College of Law and, by extension, to your organization and the greater Chicago community. 

In support of our aforementioned efforts, we are seeking a monetary contribution to assist BLSA with our 2022-2023 programming and chapter development.

 Here are our current goals for chapter development:

  • Develop membership shirts for our executive board and active membership.
  • Develop promotional materials, i.e., a banner, signage, and a tablecloth, representing our chapter for tabling and community-based initiatives.
  • Expand connections and access to resources through engagement with the Midwest and National Black Law Students Association by participation in regional and national conferences.

Here is a list of some our highlighted events for the past year:

  • Welcome Back Mixer: Annual social event hosted to welcome students back to school.
  • My Black Is Beautiful Showcase: An annual showcase that celebrates Black art and culture in its various forms. Attendees have the chance to enjoy singers, poets, rappers; view Black artwork; and shop with Black vendors.
  • Ida Platt Forum: In honor of Black History Month, the “Ida Platt Forum” was held in celebration of the first African American woman to be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois. The event focused on race, advancing the rule of law, and featured trailblazing Black women making strides within the legal profession. In the first iteration of the program, we invited the Honorable Ann Claire Williams (Ret.), one of only two people of color to ever serve on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • MLK Forum: Hosted annually to delve into a social justice issue. This past year’s theme was “The Intersection of the Criminal Justice System and the Education System: Transforming Schools to Protect our Youth.” This VIRTUAL event will start with a documentary film screening, followed by a short break and a panel discussion of legal experts, activists, and local leaders. 
  • Black is Not a Monolith: This event was developed with the goal of creating a safe space to discuss the Black experience in the legal field, cultural and personal differences within Blackness, and build community amongst law students. Students were able to hear from faculty and practicing attorneys.
  • Alumni of Color Panel: Hosted annually to inform law students on the process of taking the bar examination, securing full-time employment after graduation, and thriving while in law school.
  • Nick Johnson Writing Competition: The Nick Johnson Writing Competition was created to honor and celebrate the memory of Nick Johnson, a Chicago-Kent law student who passed away in 2018, and promote mental health. Students who participate in the writing competition with the opportunity to receive an academic scholarship.
  • Out of Darkness Walk: BLSA annually participates in and solicits donations for the Out of Darkness Walk sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This event promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention in honor of the late Nick Johnson from the Class of 2021. 
  • BLSA Mentorship Program: Current 1L students are annually matched with current upper level BLSA members for informal mentoring to assist students in addressing academic, personal, and professional challenges within their first year of law school.

We invite you to consider sponsoring us.  BLSA depends on your contributions, and with your pledge of support, we can continue organizing initiatives that nurture the development of our organization and members. If you have any questions about our programming or how you might contribute to our efforts, please feel free to contact us at blsa@kentlaw.iit.edu. If you are interested in sponsoring us, please fill out this form.