A Word from the Chair
I am honored to serve as the 7th Regional Chair of SWBLSA.
Thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve and grow
amongst my SWBLSA family. Our theme for this year is: Opening Every
Door, Breaking Every Glass, Raising Every Ceiling.
We, in the Supreme Southwest Region, are blessed to attend some
of the finest law schools in the nation because of the sacrifices and service
of our ancestors and the many iconic legal professionals that have come
before us. When we take into account the history of Black Law Students in
America, we must recognize all of the doors that our predecessors have
opened for Black Law Students today. At the same time, we must also
recognize what barriers still exist for black attorneys in America. As your
chair, this year, I am committed to knocking down every single barrier that
we may face, together.
Our administration will prioritize the professional development of both
Pre-Law and active law students. The path to being a successful Black
Attorney begins on the very day that a young Black American decides that
they have the desire to be an attorney. And, that path winds far beyond the
courses and curriculum that law students will learn in the classroom. So, we
will prepare our Pre-Law and law students for the field with a variety of
opportunities for legal professional development.
Our administration will also prioritize the development of each individual chapter. We understand that unity is a
powerful tool in the black legal community and in order for our students to overcome the various struggles ahead of them,
they need a community to support them on their journey. We understand that in order to further develop the Black legal
community we must nurture healthy and robust BLSA school chapters. We want our students to feel valued, empowered,
confident, and passionate about becoming leaders in the legal profession.
Our passions continue to lie within the communities where we were raised, where we are students, and where we
will one day practice. So, it is within those same communities where our works will have breath. Our administration is
committed to addressing social action, social disparities, and community needs in the communities that matter to us the
most.
Cheers to another year,
Jessica L. Paige
2022-2023 Chair
