About BWLA

Our History

BWLA is committed to promoting excellence in the profession and encouraging the inclusion of African-American attorneys in law firms, the judiciary, governmental agencies and corporations. BWLA recognizes that we live in an America that does not always embrace our differences. It is with this recognition that BWLA has committed its time and resources to encourage programming that supports diversity.

Our Motto

Since its inception in 1987, BWLA’s mission has been clear:
- To identify and address issues unique to African-American women lawyers, judges and those in academia. To improve the administration of justice by increasing the participation of African-American women and other minorities throughout the legal system. To advance civil and human rights.
- To improve the administration of justice by increasing the participation of African-American women and other minorities throughout the legal system.
- To advance civil and human rights.
Officers & Committees
President

Kenyatta Beverly
Labor and Employment Counsel
The Davey Tree Expert Company
Vice President

Nakhia Crossley
Regulatory Counsel & Midwest Director, State Affairs
Solar Energy Industries Association
Parliamentarian

Elsa Andrianifahanana
Associate
Jones Day
Treasurer

Amber Bennett
Judicial Law Clerk
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Recording Secretary

Weeya Young
Assistant State's Attorney
Cook County State's Attorney Office
Corresponding Secretary

Carrera Thibodeaux
Associate
Whitt Sturtevant LLP
Board Member
at Large

Era Laudermilk
Deputy of Legislative Affairs
Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
Board Member
at Large

Camile Lindsay-Kumi
Chief of Staff
Illinois Department of Corrections
Board Member
at Large

Ashley Varnado
Assistant Public Defender
Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
Board Member
at Large

Arielle Williams
Owner/Founder
Ari Williams Law, LLC
Ex-Officio

Kalia Coleman
Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois
Awards & Nominations Committee
Mary Melchor
Ngozi Okorafor
Board Member Liaison (Camile Lindsay-Kumi)
Career Services Committee
Samya Abdela
Leonore Carlson
Board Member Liaison (Weeya Young)
Civil Rights Action Committee
Community Service & Outreach Committee
Sharon Ferguson
Ashley Varnado
Weeya Young
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Corporate Counsel Committee
Rhandi Childress Anderson
Daynor Carman
Kayla Siam
Lora Whitticker
Board Member Liaison (Nakhia Crossley)
Expungement & Sealing Committee
Kenyatta Beverly
Chastidy Burns
Michelle Glenn-Sieger
Board Member Liaison (Camile Lindsay-Kumi)
Governance & Bylaws Committee
Board Member Liaison (Elsa Andrianifahanana)
Government Services Committee
Natalie Howse
Natasha Jenkins
Board Member Liaison (Era Laudermilk)
Health and Wellness Committee
Omoyele Ajayi
Amber Bennett
Alexis Robertson
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Judicial Evaluation Committee
Venus Brown
Natalie Ellis
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)
Judicial Reception Committee
Kenyatta Beverly
Kalia Coleman
Board Member Liaison (Elsa Andrianifahanana)
Law Student Outreach Committee
Aerial Henderson
Amanda Smith
Erika Weaver
Arielle Williams
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Legislative and Advocacy Committee
Era Laudermilk
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)
Member Services Committee
Christian Conway
Board Member Liaison (Carrera Thibodeaux)
Mentoring Dinner Series Committee
Jasmine Fannell
Simone Jones
Merili Seale
Michelle Speller-Thurman
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)
Progressives Committee
Mary Melchor
Judy Smith
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)
Roundtable Committee
Jordan Matthews
Ashley Starks
Board Member Liaison (Era Laudermilk)
Social Media Committee
Samya Abdela
Board Member Liaison (Carrera Thibodeaux)
Solo/Small Firms Committee
Ashanti Rice Akiwowo
Alexis Hart McDowell
Ava George Stewart
Board Member Liaison (Arielle Williams)
Spring Fundraiser Committee
Amber Bennett
Kenyatta Beverly
Kalia Coleman
Natalie Howse
Nakhia Crossley
Board Member Liaison (Amber Bennett)
Street Law Committee
Kina Arnold
Tondalaya Lloyd
Chastidy Burns
Board Member Liaison (Arielle Williams)
TEA Committee
Erica Kirkwood
Nakhia Crossley
Amanda Smith
Drahcir Smith
Board Member Liaison (Elsa Andrianifahanana)
Young Lawyers Subcommittee
Joy Etinfoh
Aerial Henderson
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Past Presidents

Kalia Coleman
2019-2020

Chastidy Burns
2018-2019

Erica Kirkwood
2017-2018

Kenya Jenkins Wright
2016-2017

Hon. LaShonda A. Hunt
2015-2016

Chasity Boyce
2014-2015

Tiffany Harper
2013-2014

Ngozi Okorafor
2012-2013

Tracy Ann Campbell
2011-2012

Tonya Wilkes-Moore
2010-2011

Ashanta A. Blackwell-Evans
2009-2010

Mary Melchor
2008-2009

Dorothy G. Capers
2007-2008

Nathalina A. Hudson
2006-2007

Lela D. Johnson
2005-2006

Sharon Jones
2004-2005

Zaldwaynaka L. Scott
2003-2004

Hon. Sybil C. Thomas
2001-2003

Hon. Patrice Ball-Reed
1999-2001

Marsha Moseley-Kerman
1998-1999

Hon. Patricia Brown Holmes
1997-1998

Yvonne Owens
1996-1997

Hon. Robin Shoffner
1995-1996

Veda Britt-Handy
1993-1995

Mercedes A. Laing
1990-1993

Obyrietta Gammet Scott
1989-1990

W. Muzette Hill Stallings
1988-1989

Ertharin Cousin
1987-1988
Founders

Ertharin Cousin

Veda Britt-Handy

Hon. Patricia Brown Holmes

Sharon Jones

Cecelia Mowatt

Hon. Patrice Ball-Reed

Obyrietta Gammet Scott

W. Muzette Hill Stallings

Judge Ann Claire Williams (Retired)
Lifetime Members

Fraline Allgaier

Valerie Bomar

Chasity Boyce

LaQuietta Hardy-Campbell

Dorothy G. Capers

Violet M. Clark

Tiffany Ferguson

Hon. Patricia Brown Holmes (Retired)

Tiffany Harper

Hon. Arnette Hubbard

Lela D. Johnson

Johnette Simone Jones

Amanda Toney Logan

Mary Melchor

Marsha Moseley

Danielle Anne Phillip

Hon. Patrice Ball-Reed

Lauren Robinson

Zaldwaynaka L. Scott

Anastasie Senat

Sylvia Stein

Vanessa Weathersby

Hon. Andrea R. Wood

Leslie Richards-Yellen
