joint board leadership retreat
FIFTH ANNUAL JOINT BOARD LEADERSHIP RETREAT SMU DEDMAN SCHOOL OF LAW DALLAS, TX JUNE 3-5, 2011
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welcome nblsa family Greetings! I am delighted you could join the National Board in Dallas for NBLSA’s Fifth Annual Joint Leadership Retreat. NBLSA is a student-run organization and as student leaders we balance academic, professional, personal, and community obligations to ensure NBLSA’s success. I personally thank you and extend, on behalf of NBLSA’s Executive Board and membership, heartfelt gratitude for your dedication and service. Your commitment to NBLSA is truly appreciated. I look forward to working collaboratively as we develop NBLSA’s 2011-2012 strategic plan. The Joint Retreat is an opportunity to share programming ideas and refine the national initiatives. The Joint Retreat leverages the insight of all NBLSA’s national and regional leaders to create thoughtful, innovative programming that benefits our members, the communities they serve, and the profession they will change. Regional boards are the linchpin of NBLSA, providing support and resources to chapters, encouraging program development and implementation, and serving as the conduit between chapters and the national board. We value your perspective and welcome your feedback. As we continue purposefully on our Road to Fifty, NBLSA must move to the forefront of legal issues affecting the Black community. Our strength rests not only in our individual chapters, but also in our ability to inspire change on a national and global scale. United by our purpose and our passion for the law, we must use our combined talents to build and uplift our communities and ourselves. This year’s National Board has adopted the mantra of “Servant Leadership.” This points towards our commitment to the membership and the reasons why we have decided to serve NBLSA. NBLSA has a rich history of academic excellence, institutional and grassroots advocacy, and community service. Through the collective efforts of nearly 6,000 Black law students, we aim to continue building upon that history and continue to remember the foundation laid today, benefits the lives of those tomorrow. From our Joint Retreat in Dallas to our National Convention in our nation’s Capitol, I am excited to work together to further our mission, develop rewarding relationships, and build for better future for not only NBLSA, but the world. Pleasantries. In NBLSA Love,
Chibundu Nnake Natiional Chair | 2011-2012 National Black Law Students Association
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national executive board Chibundu Nnake NATIONAL CHAIR SMU Dedman School of Law
Kendra Brown NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAIR Vermont Law School
Ademola Adewale-Sadik NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RELATIONS Yale Law School
Antoine Floyd NATIONAL VICE-CHAIR Southern University Law Center
Elizabeth Humphrey ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL CHAIR University of Texas School of Law
Shayla Johnson NATIONAL FINANCIAL SECRETARY UC Berkeley School of Law
Alisha Burgin NATIONAL SECRETARY UCLA School of Law
Jamie Davis SOUTHERN REGIONAL CHAIR North Carolina Central University School of Law
Nathan Williamson NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE PRE-LAW DIVISION University of Oklahoma College of Law
Erica Johnson NATIONAL TREASURER Capital University Law School
Antonio Raymo WESTERN REGIONAL CHAIR Santa Clara Law School
LaCresha Wilkerson NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL ACTION Southern University Law Center
Riean Norman NATIONAL DIRECTOR-FREDERICK DOUGLASS MOOT COURT COMPETITION LSU Paul Hebert Law Center
Chris Hollins NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL MANAGEMENT Yale Law School
Julie Wenah NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Chioma Chuwku NATIONAL DIRECTOR-THURGOOD MARSHALL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION University of Virginia School of Law Lizeth Lewis NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Keven Leveille NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICE Florida State University College of Law Abre’ Conner NATIONAL ATTORNEY GENERAL American University-Washington College of Law Sheila Isong MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CHAIR Howard University School of Law Rodney Robbins MIDWEST REGIONAL CHAIR Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Lorraine Young EXTERNAL CHIEF OF STAFF Florida State University College of Law Jomaire Crawford INTERNAL CHIEF OF STAFF Yale Law School
Teleicia Rose NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT Penn State University-Dickinson School of Law
Lisa Thelwell NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS University of Florida Levin College of Law
Etienne Toussaint INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS COMPETITION DIRECTOR Harvard Law School
T. Isadora Huntley NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS University of Notre Dame Law School
Crystal Ikanih INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS CHAIR UDC-David A. Clarke School of Law
Anitra Raiford NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP University of Florida Levin College of Law Ijeoma Okolo NATIONAL CONVENTION COORDINATOR Georgetown University Law Center
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Pia Winston NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN College of William & Mary School of Law Yvesner Zamar NATIONAL HISTORIAN UDC-David A. Clarke School of Law
national staff and advisors und out f and advisors ro Our national staf eir ership team. Th the national lead court t oo ven area, from m expertise in a gi le. e them invaluab ak m , ns tio ec el to
National Advisors Charles Tucker, Jr., Esq. NATIONAL MOOT COURT ADVISOR Lt. Col. Kwasi Hawks, Esq. NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL ADVISOR Kurt D. Davis, Jr., Esq. INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS COMPETITION ADVISOR A.J. Cooper, Esq. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL AND FOUNDER
National Specialists
National Specialists
Janice Adeloye NATIONAL MOOT COURT SPECIALIST Southern University Law Center
Jhontera Rivers NATIONAL PRE-LAW DIVISION SPECIALIST University of Richmond School of Law
Valerie Fontenot NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL SPECIALIST LSU Paul Hebert Law Center
Kimberly Bell NATIONAL CORPORATE RELATIONS SPECIALIST Vanderbilt University Law School
Marshawn Griffin NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL SPECIALIST Florida State University College of Law
Jonathan Hartsfield NATIONAL CORPORATE RELATIONS SPECIALIST Drake University Law School
Temi Oduala NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL SPECIALIST Chicago Kent College of Law
Osa Imadojemu NATIONAL CORPORATE RELATIONS SPECIALIST George Washington Law School
Ryan Bonner NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS SPECIALIST Southwestern Law School
Nicole Tobin NATIONAL FINANCIAL SPECIALIST Seattle University School of Law
Toun Olumide NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS SPECIALIST George Washington Law School
Lalla Morris NATIONAL FINANCIAL SPECIALIST LSU Paul Hebert Law Center
Randi Warren NATIONAL ELECTIONS SPECIALIST Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law
Heather Adams NATIONAL CONVENTION SPECIALIST DePaul University College of Law
Keia Johnson NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SPECIALIST UALR-William H. Bowen School of Law
Latrice Hemphill NATIONAL CONVENTION SPECIALIST California Western School of Law
Jasmine Wade NATIONAL JUDICIAL ADVOCACY SPECIALIST University of Virginia School of Law
Bomopregha Wilson NATIONAL WEB CONTENT SPECIALIST Northeastern University School of Law
Wilneeda Emmanuel NATIONAL JOB FAIR SPECIALIST Valparaiso University School of Law
Omar Taylor NATIONAL WEB CONTENT SPECIALIST Southern University Law Center
Markena Peavy NATIONAL JOB FAIR SPECIALIST DePaul University College of Law
Jamil Jivani DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF Yale Law School
Tiffany Hilton NATIONAL CHAPTER RELATIONS SPECIALIST Florida A&M University College of Law 4
Jonathan McDonald DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF University of Akron School of Law
retreat information and logistics
retreat agenda Friday, June 3, 2011 Business Professional Attire 3:00PM National & Regional Board Member Photos - Tactic Room 4:00PM SRBLSA Board Meeting - 5th Floor Exchange 4:00PM NEBLSA Board Meeting - 6th Floor Exchange 6:00PM Joint Retreat Welcome & Alumni Reception
ALOFT PREMIUM PAD HOSTED BY BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, LLP 1033 YOUNG ST. DALLAS, TX 75202
Saturday, June 4, 2011 Casual Attire (Joint Retreat BLSA Shirt) 8:00AM Shuttle Departs for Retreat
SMU DEDMAN SCHOOL OF LAW 3315 DANIEL AVE. DALLAS, TX 75275
8:30AM Breakfast 9:30AM Welcome & Opening Remarks 10:00AM Regional Chair Remarks 10:30AM KAPLAN PRESENTATION 11:00AM Programming Presentation I: Organizational Pillars
8:00PM Registration, T-Shirt Pickup, and Photos Conclude
11:30AM Programming Presentation II: Programming Group
8:00PM RMBLSA Board Meeting - 5th Floor Exchange
12:00PM Innocence Project Speaker - Cory Session
9:00PM MWBLSA Board Meeting - 6th Floor Exchange
12:30PM Counterparts Luncheon (See Below)
9:00PM NBLSA Social & Pool Party - Aloft W XYZ Bar & Splash [Wii Games & Spades Tournament (8 Teams)]
2:30PM GL ADVISOR PRESENTATION 3:10PM Programming Presentation III: Advocacy Team 3:40PM Programming Presentation IV: Competition Directors 4:00PM ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER PRESENTATION 4:15PM Chair’s Remarks 4:30PM Leadership Speaker - The Honorable Tonya Parker 4:50PM Closing Remarks & Swear-In 5:00PM Shuttle Departs for Hotel 6:00PM WRBLSA Board Meeting - 5th Floor Exchange 8:30PM MABLSA Board Meeting - 6th Floor Exchange 6:00PM Dinner on Your Own 10:00PM Shuttle Departs for Vault Ultra Lounge (Continuous) 1313 MAIN ST. DALLAS, TX 75202 (Ladies Free before 11pm, $10 after; Guys $10 All Night) 1:30AM **Final** Shuttle Leaves Vault for Aloft
retreat agenda Counterparts Luncheon Please grab your lunch & meet your counterparts in the appropriate room. Thanks! Florence 100 - Advocacy Teams
Sunday, June 5, 2011 Business Professional
Florence 101 - Parliamentarian & Directors of Membership
10:00AM National Board Meeting - Premium Pad (Aloft Basement)
Florence 106 - Director of Career & Education Development & Job Fair Coordinators
3:00PM Joint Retreat Concludes
Safe travels !
Florence 107 - Directors of Communications & Public Relations Florence 201 - Treasurers, Accountants, Directors of Corporate Relations, Director of Regional Management & Regional Chairs Florence 301 - Convention Coordinators Florence 302 - Directors of Alumni Affairs & Historians Florence 304 - Directors of Community Service Florence 306 - Directors of Programming Florence 307 - Directors of Pre-Law Division
please note National Officers are required to be present for the entire duration of the national board meeting. Please schedule ground transportation and flights accordingly. You should be able to make to either airport for flights departing after five pm. Also, Specialists are not required to attend the Retreat, but are strongly encouraged to be a part of the team greeting, building, and vision setting of the weekend. 7
retreat speakers Cory Session Policy Director Cory Session currently assists the Innocence Project of Texas (“IPOT”) on public policy initiatives and community outreach. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991 and worked as a legislative aid for R e p re s e n t a t i v e G a r fi e l d Thompson from 1991 to 1994. He is the brother of Timothy Cole, who was posthumously exonerated by IPOT in 2009. Cory testified about his family's experience with wrongful convictions during the 81st Texas Legislature, and has made numerous public appearances in order to educate the public about the causes of wrongful convictions and how they can be prevented. He currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Honorable Tonya Parker
On Nov. 2, 2010, Judge Tonya 116th Civil District Court Judge Parker was elected to serve as the presiding judge of the 116th Civil District Court in Dallas County. Prior to her election, she earned partnership at two Downtown Dallas law firms, where she represented plaintiffs and defendants in matters ranging from complex commercial litigation to tort litigation. Judge Parker’s list of honors and distinctions includes selection as a Super Lawyers’ Rising Star four of the last five years, as well as being the recipient of the J.L. Turner Legal Association’s (JLTLA) Committed Mentor Award (2010), the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) (2009/2010), and DAYL’s Outstanding Young Lawyer of Dallas Award (2005/2006). In 2005, the German Marshall Fund of the United States selected her as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow. As a Fellow, she traveled to Europe to promote transatlantic relations, and explore the social, political, and economic systems of various countries. Judge Parker also served as an at-large Director for the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) (2006-2007), as co-chair of DAYL’s Lawyers Promoting Diversity Committee (2006, 2005), and two terms as a director for the JLTLA (2005, 2004). Over the course of her career, Judge Parker has mentored lawyers, as well as law, pre-law, and high school students through her involvement in the DBA’s Transition to Law and E-mentor programs, DAYL’s Mentor-Match Program, and JLTLA’s Law Student Mentor Project, as well as other programs. Judge Parker’s leadership and commitment to the community are further reflected in her service as a member of the Interfaith Peace Chapel’s Advisory Team, commissioner on the City of Dallas Community Development Commission (2007 through April 2009), and chairperson of Dallas Arts District Alliance’s Board of Directors in 2009. 8
sponsors and in-kind supporters Many thanks to our sponsors and in-kind supporters, without whom, our time in Dallas would not be possible. We appreciate your support and admire your continued commitment to developing talented, involved, diverse attorneys.
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