Supporting Black law students through academic programming, professional development, and fostering community.
Networking
Opportunities to network with colleagues, alumni, legal professionals and lawyers in the Calgary community and beyond.
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CABL & BLSA Networking
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BLSA National Conference
Academics & Mentorship
Our initiatives connect students with upper-year peers, alumni, and practicing lawyers, while also providing guidance on exam preparation, career development, and navigating law school.
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Mentorship opportunities with black law students and lawyers
Social & Community
Our social events create space for students to connect, unwind, and build relationships in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
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Annual Welcome BBQ
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Annual Games Night
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Black History Month Events
+ Collaborative events with other student clubs
Notable Alumni
Alumnus puts focus on racial justice while rising through legal system
Joshua Sealy-Harrington applies his passion for critical race theory across multiple areas of law
UCalgary alumna blazes trail for Black female lawyers
Patricia Sealy receives history-making Queen's Counsel appointment
Alumna hopes to inspire other Black females to pursue a law career
Storme Mckop helped lay the groundwork for more diversity at UCalgary’s law school
Law school an opportunity to combine student's interests
Working with high-risk youth opens Mikail Osman's eyes to new possibilities
![On February 17th, 2024, the UCalgary Black Law Students Association won the “Large Chapter of the Year” award at the 33rd National Black Law Student Association of Canada Conference.
The BSEAP process was initiated in 2020 by our extraordinary past president Keshia Holloman-Dawson in collaboration with our faculty. The 2021 inaugural year catapulted the number of Black law students and the BSEAP became a blueprint for law schools across Canada. That year, UCBLSA was awarded “Small Chapter of the Year”.
Three years later, we’ve been named the “Large Chapter of the Year” because of the foundation left for us to build on, as well as the dedication and innovative thinking of our team to create a premier space for Black law students.
Our executives spend countless hours putting together events and initiatives to support Black law students. They’ve crafted engaging social media material, making our Instagram have the highest following among all Chapters in Canada. They’ve worked overtime talking to law firms to secure funding for our conference and operational costs. In our day-to-day initiatives, they’ve worked to remove barriers to entry to law school and ensure success throughout this journey by bolstering professional development and strengthening community.
The UCBLSA is unlike any student group on campus and is bigger than any one individual or executive team. We have taken on a duty to today and tomorrows Black law students. In every decision, we’ve made this year, we have embodied the Conference theme: “As we rise, we lift”.
In the words of BLSA Canada: “…when we looked through their package […] It’s in their programming, in their events, in their initiatives. We were impressed to see them performing at the level of much larger chapters finding creative, meaningful and sustained ways to support their members and their communities”
To Patricia Sealy KC, who has continuously offered us her mentorship, time, and resources. From opening her own home for events, to gathering a panel of judges to expose us to the pathways to the bench. She has been the UCBLSA’s biggest supporter, and our appreciation extends beyond words.](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/429690655_1105143937338644_3163105742853267389_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=1FMX2qlE-EQQ7kNvwGiZglf&_nc_oc=AdlySO_OU_S7qu7C4sa_HKfYC2OpMYGjq2mNG-sE1QOsg_-p3ozrnvmndpo805JpWIQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=CM2JGVh_KfK4lKX_u5OSBw&oh=00_AfrcV-TXtZ-QWffLkHyvhJ2UM6MfZZy1UjRuxjP6-cjUmA&oe=696EA892)
Many Thanks to our Previous Sponsors (2023-2024)
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.