Law school celebrates Black History Month

One of several events presented by the Black Law Students Association during Black History Month was the Annual African American Judges Panel on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Taking part in the discussion were (left to right) second-year law students Shareece McCauley, vice president of the Black Law Students Association and Jasmin M. Haynes, president of the Black Law Students Association; Wayne Law Interim Dean Lance Gable; Oakland County 46th District Court Judge Debra Nance, Wayne Law Class of 1999; Wayne County Probate Court Judge Terrance Keith; Wayne Law Assistant Professor Blanche Cook; and Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Stephens.

– Photo courtesy of Wayne Law


In recognition of Black History Month, Wayne State University Law School’s Black Law Students Association hosted several events in February.

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the Black Law Students Association partnered with Wayne Law’s Career Services Office to present Esquire Etiquette, a program to sharpen the professional skills of law students. Speaking at the event were Sherrie Farrell, member of Dykema; Diane Fears, Wayne Law Class of 1989, director of Wayne Law’s Career Services Office and Student Voluntary Pro Bono Program; Karissa Holmes, Wayne Law Class of 2008, corporate attorney at DTE Energy; and Sherry D.O. Taylor, Wayne Law Class of 2001, member and pro bono coordinator at Dickinson Wright.

The association sponsored the annual Soul Food Café on Monday, Feb. 13. Catered by Faustina’s Creole and Soul Food, the menu included beef and shrimp jambalaya, greens, green beans, candied yams, red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, lobster macaroni and cheese, jerk chicken, Cajun chicken, cornbread muffins and fruit.

The Black Law Students Association presented the Annual African American Judges Panel on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Law School. African American judges across multiple jurisdictions spoke about their experiences in the judiciary, offered advice to the students and explained their paths to the bench. Panelists were Oakland County 46th District Court Judge Debra Nance, Wayne Law Class of 1999; Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Stephens; and Wayne County Probate Court Judge Terrance Keith. Assistant Professor Blanche Cook moderated the discussion and Interim Dean Lance Gable provided opening remarks. This event was sponsored by Bodman PLC and the Wayne Law Dean’s Office.

In partnership with the Wolverine Bar Association and Straker Bar Association, the Black Law Students Association hosted the Black History Bus Tour of important sites in Detroit, on Friday, Feb. 24. The tour included a stop at the Breitmeyer-Tobin Building and the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. During the tour Judge Craig Strong, Judge Terrance Keith, and Diane Hutcherson provided insight into the legal history of African Americans in Detroit.
 

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