The Barbara C. Jordan Chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at Thurgood Marshall School of Law hosted the Rocky Mountain Region 38th Annual Convention January 25-29, 2006. There were more than 22 law schools from nine states attending the convention held in part at the Doubletree hotel, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and South Texas College of Law. The convention agenda included moot court and mock trial competitions, plenary sessions, a luncheon and an awards banquet.

Angela Harrington, BLSA’s president at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, received an award for exemplary leadership in helping to make the regional conference a successful event. The School of Law was also honored for its role in hosting the event.

According to Rakiyah Pippins, national president of the Black Law Students Association, “the convention was one of the best conventions ever hosted by a law school.” Justice George Hanks of the First Court of Appeals shared similar comments about the convention, stating “It was great… really well put together.”

The Black Law Students Association, Barbara C. Jordan Chapter, was created to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of minority law students. BLSA’s mission is to instill a greater awareness of, and commitment to, the needs of the Black community. BLSA strives to influence legal fraternities and associations to utilize their expertise to initiate change within the legal system.

The Barbara C. Jordan Chapter has been active at Thurgood Marshall School of Law since 1970. The chapter currently has the largest membership in the Rocky Mountain Region.