About Us - Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.

About BWLA

Our History

Founded in 1987, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (“BWLA”) is one of the fastest growing bar associations in Illinois. BWLA is representative of African-American female attorneys, judges, law professors and law students in the Chicago metropolitan area and across the Midwest. BWLA is committed to serving our membership, the greater legal community and the general public through educational programs, mentoring/networking opportunities, community outreach, scholarship awards to law students and various educational pipeline programs and initiatives. BWLA has recognized and rewarded notable African-American women attorneys and other civic leaders for their achievements and contributions to the legal community and society.

Despite the hard-won achievements of some, barriers still exist for African-American women lawyers. African-American female lawyers still face the challenges brought on by the intersection of race and gender, including professional isolation, pay inequities, sexual harassment, and the glass ceiling. BWLA has been diligent and uncompromising in its commitment to addressing important issues that affect the lives of minority practitioners in the profession.

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.

Drawing upon the expertise and backgrounds of its membership, BWLA has developed programs and workshops to advance and assist African-American female lawyers in public and private practice, the judiciary and academia. Through building coalitions with other organizations, BWLA not only aims to address and combat the challenges that African-American female lawyers face in the profession, but through its programming and diversity initiatives, BWLA also brings about positive change in the legal workplace.

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

Vice President

Parliamentarian

Treasurer

Recording Secretary

Corresponding Secretary

Board Member
at Large

Ex-Officio

Awards & Nominations Committee

Mary Melchor
Ngozi Okorafor
Board Member Liaison (Mary Melchor)

Career Services Committee

Leonore Carlson
Board Member Liaison (Chastidy Burns)

Community Service & Outreach Committee

Tiana Blakely
Ashley Varnado
Weeya Young
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)

Corporate Counsel Committee

Rhandi Anderson
Daynor Carman
Kayla Siam
Lora Whittiker
Board Member Liaison (Michelle Speller Thurman)

Governance & Bylaws Committee

Nakhia Morrissette
Board Member Liaison (Nakhia Morrissette

Government Services Committee

Sheree Henry
Natalie Howse
Natasha Jenkins
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)

Health and Wellness Committee

Alexis Robertson
Trina Smith
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)

Judicial Evaluation Committee

Venus Brown
Brandi Burton
Natalie Ellis
Board Member Liaison (Bianca Brown)

Judicial Reception Committee

Elsa Andrianifahanana
Drahcir Smith
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)

Law Student Outreach Committee

Myka Bell
Ericka Weaver
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)

Legislative and Advocacy Committee

Era Laudermilk
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)

Member Services Committee

Carrera Thibodeaux
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)

Mentoring Dinner Series Committee

Jasmine Fanell
Simone Jones
Merili Seale
Board Member Liaison (Michelle Speller-Thurman)

Progressives Committee

Mary Melchor
Judie Smith
Board Member Liaison (Mary Melchor)

Roundtable Committee

Jordan Matthews
Ashley Starks
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)

Social Media Committee

Myka Bell
Tiara Morgan
Board Member Liaison (Drahcir Smith)

Solo/Small Firms Committee

Ashanti Rice Akiwowo
Alexis Hart McDowell
Ava George Stewart
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)

Spring Fundraiser Committee

Kenyatta Beverly
Kalia Coleman
Camille Lindsay Kumi
Era Laudermilk
Tondalaya Lloyd
Nakhia Morrissette (chair)
Drahcir Smith
Board Member Liaison (Nakhia Morrissette)