Student Org. Spotlight: Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Colorado Law is home to nearly 50 active student organizations.These organizations empower law students toincrease their knowledge, gain leadership experience, network, and collaborate with the legal community—all while building connections with classmates that will last throughout their careers and beyond.
In this series, we arehighlightingextraordinary organizations run by Colorado Law students.
Meet the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) here at the University of Colorado Law School.
BLSA's mission is to foster a community for people of African descent to acclimate to the law school environment through the exchange of various cultural experiences and perspectives.
“Our goal is to engender a supportive, diverse environment while providing opportunities for networking and professional advancement,” explainsco-president Michele Manceaux '24.
BLSA at Colorado Law is much more than a club: it’s a community. The organization provides both professional and academic support to its members andis open to all ColoradoLaw students, regardless of race or ethnicity, and encourages allto attend and participate in their meetings and programs.
Through their extensive Black alumni circle, BLSA forges connections amongcurrent students, graduates, and members of the greater legal community. They often collaborate with organizations like the Sam Cary Bar Association (SCBA) to bring people togetherand host eventsthroughout the year. For example, the SCBA hosts an annual BBQ in Denver the first week of classes. Students from CU and DU are invited to meet and network with a diverse Black legal community.
SCBA also invites students to attend the annual SCBA Gala in November.At the 2022 SCBA Gala,Kiki Council ’17 received the 2022 Warrior for Justice Award and the 2020 Billy Lewis Young Lawyer Award; Representative Joe Neguse ’09 was named the 2020 Warrior for Justice; Jon J. Olafson, a member of the law school's adjunct faculty received the 2022 Ben Aisenberg Diversity Leadership Award; and Zach Levi ’23 was giventhe Sam Cary Scholarship from the Endowment Fund.
Past activities include:
- Holiday Jazz Concert (featuring an 18-piece jazz band performing Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite)
- International Book Drive (raised over 300 books towards the creation of a library at the Harare Institute of Technology)
- 40thAnnual Sam Cary Scholarship Gala (three BLSA students received Sam Cary Scholarships)
- Voter Registration FAC (co-sponsored by LLSA, OUTLaw, and APALSA)
- Welcome Back Barbecue
- Welcome Back Retreat at Lucky Strike
Being part of the BLSA E-Board is their biggest leadership opportunity for rising 2L Black students. Each year, they hold elections for President(s), Vice-President, Treasurer, and Event Coordinator.
To get involved, students can visit BLSA’s booth during 1L orientation or by emailing co-presidents Michele Manceaux at Michele.Manceaux@colorado.edu or Michaela Calhoun at Michaela.calhoun@colorado.edu.