On behalf of Penn Carey Law's Black Law Students Association ("BLSA"), we welcome you to learn more about our BLSA family and the greater Penn Carey Law community!
You may be wondering whether Penn Carey Law is the best fit for you, not only in regard to its academic opportunities, career prospects, or alumni connections, but also its everyday environment, particularly for Black students. You’ll be spending your next three years in law school and want to make sure you select a school where you’ll feel comfortable and have opportunities to excel. We are happy to attest that at Penn Carey Law you will find communities that are truly inclusive and rewarding for all. BLSA is one such community and we couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of sharing it with you.
To begin, there is an extensive peer community here to support you. Among Penn Carey Law’s several affinity groups, BLSA is a student-led organization that supports Black students and those who are interested in Black student issues. BLSA seeks to prepare our members to be academically, professionally, and socially successful. Each year, BLSA plans programs to engage the student and global community. We spearhead our own pro bono project, Project PEACE (Peaceful Endings through Attorneys, Children, and Educators), where members teach peer mediation and conflict resolution to local middle school students. BLSA annually hosts the Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Commemorative Conference that celebrates the life and legacy of the first Black woman to graduate from Penn Law and first Black woman to practice law in Pennsylvania. This past year, we held the 35th annual conference and hosted panelists who explored “The End of Affirmative Action.”
Conference participants also attended a career fair with some of the top law firms in the world, as well enjoyed an evening of reconnection with alumni of all ages. Through these efforts, we raised funds to support BLSA programming and our community outreach initiatives. Most personal to you, BLSA focuses many of our resources toward preparing our 1L members from before they even step on campus.We support our newest members through career programming with law firms, a formal BLSA Buddy system with upperclassmen, and 1L outlining and exam preparation tips. Lastly, a BLSA highlight each year is our annual BLSA retreat to the Poconos Mountains with the entire organization—the retreat offers a weekend filled with reflection, planning, and fun social activities.
In addition to involvement in BLSA, our members lead in every facet of the Penn Carey Law community—from Law Review to moot court to public interest organizations, Black students are visible and connected at Penn. BLSA members excel in the classroom, but we also know how to break outside the four walls into the Philadelphia community. You’ll catch us at a softball tournament, at the bowling lanes on Wednesday, or training for Philadelphia’s historic Broad Street Run.
We realize you will have many excellent law school options. The decision that you face in the weeks and months can be challenging, but Penn BLSA offers our support. First, please check out the Testimonials section below to read and hear stories of BLSA alumni, including what made them choose Penn Carey Law. Second, BLSA hosts events during Admitted Students Weekend to give you an opportunity to meet our members and learn more about Penn. Finally, feel free to contact us via email with any questions you have about Penn Carey Law. We’re also active on Instagram @pennblsa.
We wish you the best as you consider your choices and hope to welcome you to the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School next fall!
Sincerely,
Chioma Uba, BLSA Co-President
Jared Turner, BLSA Co-President
Natine Macauley, BLSA Admissions Chair
[email protected]
You may be wondering whether Penn Carey Law is the best fit for you, not only in regard to its academic opportunities, career prospects, or alumni connections, but also its everyday environment, particularly for Black students. You’ll be spending your next three years in law school and want to make sure you select a school where you’ll feel comfortable and have opportunities to excel. We are happy to attest that at Penn Carey Law you will find communities that are truly inclusive and rewarding for all. BLSA is one such community and we couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of sharing it with you.
To begin, there is an extensive peer community here to support you. Among Penn Carey Law’s several affinity groups, BLSA is a student-led organization that supports Black students and those who are interested in Black student issues. BLSA seeks to prepare our members to be academically, professionally, and socially successful. Each year, BLSA plans programs to engage the student and global community. We spearhead our own pro bono project, Project PEACE (Peaceful Endings through Attorneys, Children, and Educators), where members teach peer mediation and conflict resolution to local middle school students. BLSA annually hosts the Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Commemorative Conference that celebrates the life and legacy of the first Black woman to graduate from Penn Law and first Black woman to practice law in Pennsylvania. This past year, we held the 35th annual conference and hosted panelists who explored “The End of Affirmative Action.”
Conference participants also attended a career fair with some of the top law firms in the world, as well enjoyed an evening of reconnection with alumni of all ages. Through these efforts, we raised funds to support BLSA programming and our community outreach initiatives. Most personal to you, BLSA focuses many of our resources toward preparing our 1L members from before they even step on campus.We support our newest members through career programming with law firms, a formal BLSA Buddy system with upperclassmen, and 1L outlining and exam preparation tips. Lastly, a BLSA highlight each year is our annual BLSA retreat to the Poconos Mountains with the entire organization—the retreat offers a weekend filled with reflection, planning, and fun social activities.
In addition to involvement in BLSA, our members lead in every facet of the Penn Carey Law community—from Law Review to moot court to public interest organizations, Black students are visible and connected at Penn. BLSA members excel in the classroom, but we also know how to break outside the four walls into the Philadelphia community. You’ll catch us at a softball tournament, at the bowling lanes on Wednesday, or training for Philadelphia’s historic Broad Street Run.
We realize you will have many excellent law school options. The decision that you face in the weeks and months can be challenging, but Penn BLSA offers our support. First, please check out the Testimonials section below to read and hear stories of BLSA alumni, including what made them choose Penn Carey Law. Second, BLSA hosts events during Admitted Students Weekend to give you an opportunity to meet our members and learn more about Penn. Finally, feel free to contact us via email with any questions you have about Penn Carey Law. We’re also active on Instagram @pennblsa.
We wish you the best as you consider your choices and hope to welcome you to the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School next fall!
Sincerely,
Chioma Uba, BLSA Co-President
Jared Turner, BLSA Co-President
Natine Macauley, BLSA Admissions Chair
[email protected]
Testimonials
"Coming to Penn I was very nervous because I hadn't interacted with many people at Penn Law. I had heard of the culture of collegiality, but an organization like BLSA really exemplified the meaning of that. From the first BLSA event, I realized I was surrounded with people that were invested in my growth and success."
Oluwaseun Familoni L'18
"What I like most about Penn Law is the sense of community that extends throughout the whole enterprise. I can always count on my teachers to be friendly and ever-willing to assist by filling in understanding gaps. I can always count on classmates to be consistent study partners and all-around friends with whom I can share laughs. Penn really is like a family."
Fred Tippett, II L'18
"The thing that I love most about Penn, and BLSA in particular, is the intentionality around fostering a true sense of community. From the time I arrived at Penn until now, people have taken great pains to make sure that I had everything I need to adjust to law school. From rap sessions with the administration to academic support from my fellow BLSA members, Penn made every effort to help me succeed in my 1L year and beyond. I believe that this makes Penn a unique place to study law."
William Lee L'17
"One of my favorite things about Penn is the Black Law Students Association. It's truly a family and makes me feel at home. From the moment I was accepted, I was flooded with love and guidance. For example, we all have 1L mentors who provide 1Ls with outlines, answers to every question, and support throughut your time at Penn Law. Another very helpful thing that BLSA does is provide everyone an OCI mentor. OCI is one of the most stressful times in law school, but with an OCI mentor, I was able to enter the process with an understanding of what to expect."
Jose Lamerique L'16
Oluwaseun Familoni L'18
"What I like most about Penn Law is the sense of community that extends throughout the whole enterprise. I can always count on my teachers to be friendly and ever-willing to assist by filling in understanding gaps. I can always count on classmates to be consistent study partners and all-around friends with whom I can share laughs. Penn really is like a family."
Fred Tippett, II L'18
"The thing that I love most about Penn, and BLSA in particular, is the intentionality around fostering a true sense of community. From the time I arrived at Penn until now, people have taken great pains to make sure that I had everything I need to adjust to law school. From rap sessions with the administration to academic support from my fellow BLSA members, Penn made every effort to help me succeed in my 1L year and beyond. I believe that this makes Penn a unique place to study law."
William Lee L'17
"One of my favorite things about Penn is the Black Law Students Association. It's truly a family and makes me feel at home. From the moment I was accepted, I was flooded with love and guidance. For example, we all have 1L mentors who provide 1Ls with outlines, answers to every question, and support throughut your time at Penn Law. Another very helpful thing that BLSA does is provide everyone an OCI mentor. OCI is one of the most stressful times in law school, but with an OCI mentor, I was able to enter the process with an understanding of what to expect."
Jose Lamerique L'16
Cross-Disciplinary Education
"My experiences taking courses at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice greatly enhanced the learning I received at the Law School. It allowed me to gain a new and marketable skill set that I would not have gotten from courses at the Law School. Furthermore, it provided me with a professional and social network to supplement the connections I made at the Law School."
Khary Anderson L'19, SP2 '19
"I’ve had the opportunity to tailor my education to my own personal interests. Not only am I interested in business and transactional work, but I’m also interested in politics, elections, and public policy. One of the great things about Penn is it’s emphasis on interdisciplinary education. It has been a great opportunity to get a more holistic graduate school experience."
Josh Cox L'14
Khary Anderson L'19, SP2 '19
"I’ve had the opportunity to tailor my education to my own personal interests. Not only am I interested in business and transactional work, but I’m also interested in politics, elections, and public policy. One of the great things about Penn is it’s emphasis on interdisciplinary education. It has been a great opportunity to get a more holistic graduate school experience."
Josh Cox L'14
Featured BLSA Alumni
Kendra Sandidge L'16 was named Editor-in-Chief of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review for the 2015–2016 academic year. She is the first African-American woman to hold the position. She sat down with Penn Law Communications to discuss the purpose of law reviews, how students become editors, and how the Law Review fits into the Penn Law community. Kendra is currently an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in New York City.
Danielle McCall L'16 was one of four Keedy Cup finalists for 2016. This extremely prestigious event is Penn Law's most selective moot court competition, bringing in real judges from around the nation to decide the winners. Danielle also served as the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Chair.
Danielle McCall L'16 was one of four Keedy Cup finalists for 2016. This extremely prestigious event is Penn Law's most selective moot court competition, bringing in real judges from around the nation to decide the winners. Danielle also served as the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Chair.
