Black Law Students Association Banquet

The wonderful celebrations begin! The Black Law Students Association held its 4th annual banquet in downtown Sacramento on Feb. 25. All of the students, faculty, friends, family and others joyously celebrated the BLSA Class of 2023 that includes Aaliayah McKnight Corcran, Bradley Ojala, Briana Cravanas, Mariam Soussouadouno, Noriya Bragg, Riki Walter, Ugomma Mwin, and Victoria Basirika.

A good group of faculty and staff attended the celebration, including fan favorites Professors Irene Joe and Luke Fadem. Lindsay Chuang and Joe Schneider of the Admissions Office sat at my table, along with Director of Diversity and Student Life Alexis Elston.

The keynote speaker was California Supreme Court Associate Justice Kelli Evans, UC Davis Law Class of 1994. Justice Evans offered an inspiring and celebratory talk about how lawyers have the power to change the lives of ordinary people. She told of an attorney who helped her family as a child and made it possible to leave the housing projects where she grew up to ultimately become a Supreme Court Justice.

Celebrations like the BLSA banquet make the spring a special time of year at UC Davis School of Law.