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Welcome to the 26th Annual Harvard Black Law Students Association Spring Conference!November 4, 2008 was a milestone for the American people. We elected the first African-American president of the United States, President Barack Obama, a man who ran for the presidency for reasons that he aptly recognized as the fierce urgency of now. This phrase was impressed upon him by a 1967 speech about the Vietnam War given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Riverside Church in New York City. As the 2009 Spring Conference Co-Chairs, we could not think of a more fitting title. This year’s conference, “The Fierce Urgency of Now: Effecting Change at Home and Across the Globe,” features panels addressing this call to action by highlighting issues that impact the Black community from a local level to a global level. The HBLSA Spring Conference unites students, alumni, professors, and
others in the community to engage in dialogue regarding issues relevant
to the Black community. This year’s conference will focus on
contemporary issues such as health care disparities in Boston,
challenges to the New Orleans’ criminal justice system in the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina, the Obama presidency; conflict resolution in
Darfur, race and sports, and diversity in the corporate law firm. This
exploration will occur in the form of panels, round-table discussions, Our keynote addresses will be delivered with vigorous inspiration by Ruth Ellen Fitch ‘83, Mayor C. Ray Nagin of the City of New Orleans, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Donna Brazile, and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie. Additionally, we will host our fourth annual Youth Summit in conjunction with HBLSA’s Learning and Mentorship Program that will consist of high school students from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School joining us to discuss the truth and difficulties behind the entertainment business and the value of pursuing education. We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the factors that made this conference possible. Therefore, a very special thanks goes to our advisor, Professor Charles Ogletree and his office, as well as to all of our speakers, panelists, volunteers, and sponsors. Their incredible support gave life to Spring Conference 2009, and without them, we could not have begun this dialogue around these pressing issues. Thank you for joining us! Warm Regards, |
