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.
Officers & Committees
President

Era Laudermilk
Chief of Staff
Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
Vice President

Renai Rodney
Counsel
Ropes & Gray LLP
Parliamentarian

Maggie Mendenhall Casey
General Counsel
City of Chicago Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability
Treasurer

Alichia McIntosh
Associate
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Recording Secretary

Jeneé Gaskin
Associate
Littler
Corresponding Secretary

Joan A. Akalaonu
Associate
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Board Member
at Large

S. Mayumi "Umi" Grigsby
Chief of Policy
City of Chicago
Board Member
at Large

Kina Arnold
Attorney and Assistant Public Guardian
Cook County Public Guardian
Board Member
at Large

Shannon Stokes
State of IL Deputy General Counsel/Ethics Officers
Illinois Healthcare & Family Services
Board Member
at Large

Weeya Young
Assistant General Counsel, Procurement and Medical Delivery Systems
Illinois Healthcare & Family Services
Ex-Officio

Elsa Andrianifahanana
Partner
Jones Day
Annual Spring Fundraiser Committee
Co Chair Amanda Brown
Co Chair Jenee’ Gaskin
Co Chair Weeya Young
Community Service & Outreach Committee
Tameshia Martin
Co Chair/Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Corporate Counsel Committee
Daynor Carman
Lora Whitticker
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Firm Life
Elsa Andrianifahanana
Government Services Committee
Natalie Howse
Natasha Jenkins
Board Member Liaison (Kina Arnold)
Judicial Evaluation Committee
Demitrus Evans
Natalie Ellis
La Rufus Mitchell
Board Member Liaison (Weeya Young)
Law Student Outreach Committee
Board Member Liaison (Shannon Stokes)
Member Services Committee
Kina Arnold
Christian Conway
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Roundtable Committee
Jordan Matthews
Ashley Starks
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Social Media Committee
Samya Abdela
Board Member Liaison (Carrera Thibodeaux)
Social Networking Committee
Weeya Young
Solo/Small Firms Committee
Ashanti Rice Akiwowo
Ava George Stewart
Board Member Liaison (Arielle Williams)
Street Law Committee
Kina Arnold
Tondalaya Lloyd
Board Member Liaison (Arielle Williams)
Young Lawyers Subcommittee
Jasmine Fannell
Alexis Slaughter
C. Padilla
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Annual Fundraiser Committee
Awards & Nominations Committee
Mary Melchor
Ngozi Okorafor
Board Member Liaison (Kina Arnold)
Career Services Committee
Maggie Mendenhall Casey
Leonore Carlson
Board Member Liaison (Weeya Young)
Civil Rights Action Committee
Alice Brathwaite
Co Chair/Board Member Liaison (Shannon Stokes)
Community Service & Outreach Committee
Tameshia Martin
Co Chair/Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Corporate Counsel Committee
Daynor Carman
Lora Whitticker
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Expungement & Sealing Committee
Michelle Glenn-Sieger
Co Chair/Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Governance & Bylaws Committee
Board Member Liaison (Christian Conway)
Government Services Committee
Natalie Howse
Natasha Jenkins
Board Member Liaison (Kina Arnold)
Health and Wellness Committee
Jordan Matthews
Simone Randolph
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Judicial Evaluation Committee
Demitrus Evans
Natalie Ellis
La Rufus Mitchell
Board Member Liaison (Weeya Young)
Judicial Reception Committee
Nakhia Crossley
Co Chair/Board Member Liaison (Elsa Andrianifahanana)
Law Student Outreach Committee
Board Member Liaison (Shannon Stokes)
Legislative and Advocacy Committee
Era Laudermilk
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)
Marketing & Communications Committee
Samya Abdela
Board Member Liaison (Era Laudermilk)
Member Services Committee
Kina Arnold
Christian Conway
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Mentoring Dinner Series Committee
Jasmine Fanell
Simone Jones
Merili Seale
Michelle Speller-Thurman
Board Member Liaison (Shannon Stokes)
Progressives Committee
Mary Melchor
Judy Smith
Board Member Liaison (Kalia Coleman)
Roundtable Committee
Jordan Matthews
Ashley Starks
Board Member Liaison (Ashley Varnado)
Social Media Committee
Samya Abdela
Board Member Liaison (Carrera Thibodeaux)
Solo/Small Firms Committee
Ashanti Rice Akiwowo
Ava George Stewart
Board Member Liaison (Arielle Williams)
Street Law Committee
Kina Arnold
Tondalaya Lloyd
Board Member Liaison (Arielle Williams)
TEA Committee
Erica Kirkwood
Board Member Liaison (Elsa Andrianifahanana)
Young Lawyers Subcommittee
Jasmine Fannell
Alexis Slaughter
C. Padilla
Board Member Liaison (Kenyatta Beverly)
Past Presidents

Nakhia C. Crossley
2021-2022

Kenyatta Beverly
2020-2021

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

Cecilia 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
