Scholarship Fund Board
The Scholarship Fund board is the charitable arm of BWLA. It is a c3 organization whose by-laws require a majority of the board to be comprised of the BWLA Board of Directors.

Jasmine Fannell
Chair
Assistant Vice President
Labor & Employment Counsel, HSBC

Joan Akalaonu
GAL
State of IL

Elsa Andrianifahanana
Associate
Jones Day

Amber Carpenter
Senior Legal
Ferrara Candy Company

Djenne Clayton
General Counsel
Barilla America Inc.

Christian Conway
Corporate Restructuring Associate
Clark Hill PLC

Nakhia C. Crossley
Senior Manager, Public Policy
Sunrun

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

Mariska Richards
General Counsel
Hunter Point Capital

Mariangela (Merili) Seale
Deputy General Counsel & Managing Director
Cleveland Avenue

Ashley Varnado
Assistant Public Defender
Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Weeya Young
Assistant Attorney General
Illinois Attorney General's Office
Scholarship Opportunities
The Black Women Lawyers’ Association Scholarship Fund (BWLA-SF) endeavors to encourage Black students in the law through support in the legal education and to promote diversity in the legal profession.
Download Applications Below!
2023 Bradford & Gordon Family Law Scholarship & Professional Development Application
Donate to the Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Fund Donation Form
Complete the form below to make an online donation to our Scholarship Fund.