MEET THE TEAM President Tami, 3L Tami Oguntona completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta and obtained a BComm (with distinction) in Business Economics & Law. She enjoys reading fiction novels and finding new food spots in Calgary. During her undergrad, Tami was very involved in student affairs both within the University of Alberta's Residence Services and the Nigerian Students' Union, where she gained hands-on experience working with underrepresented groups and advocating for their needs. She is looking forward to taking more specialized upper year courses and being more involved in the BLSA community! VP Events Tasia, 3L Tasia was born in Saskatchewan and grew up in Calgary, AB. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce with distinction from the Haskayne School of Business. After completing her undergraduate degree she moved to Montréal to work in Supply Chain consulting. Tasia is fluent in English and French and has worked professionally in both languages. Navigating environments that are not always diverse or welcoming was a key factor in Tasia’s decision to pursue a career in law. Tasia aspires to be an advocate for individuals who do not always have a voice and seeks to drive change in the legal community. Her legal areas of interest include corporate, international, and immigration law. Marketing Support Director Olu, 3L Olu Akinniyi is a 3L, born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised across London, England and Calgary, Alberta. Olu completed his undergraduate career at the University of Alberta, with a BSc in Psychology. Olu can speak five languages, including Spanish and French. He aspires to apply these language skills and cultural experiences to an internationally oriented career in corporate law. Alongside his sisters, Olu runs a media production business, working as a professional photographer, videographer, and editor. He hopes to apply this experience in the visual arts to promoting the initiatives of UCalgary BLSA to the wider community! VP Administration Amira, 3L Amira is from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She recently received her undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University of Manitoba. She is looking forward to learning about all areas of law, and is especially enjoying criminal law and torts so far! VP Marketing Shana, 3L Shana Césaire is a current 3L, born and raised in Calgary to Haitian parents. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Calgary, followed by a Master of Arts in English and African Studies at Carleton University. Shana lived in Ottawa and Toronto for 5 years before moving back home to attend law school. Prior to law school, she worked at IBM, worked in marketing for a small software company, and worked as a freelance writer. Shana’s always had a passion for social justice and advocacy for the Black community is a top priority of hers.

Alumni - Past executives Class of 2019 Storme McKop Role: President (2018 - 2019) Class of 2021 Behlehem Tefsay Role: Vice President (2020 - 2021) Class of 2022 David Isilebo Role: Co - President (2021 - 2022) Role: Secretary (2020 - 2021) Class of 2023 Mikail Osman Role: Finance Support Director (2022 - 2023) Role: VP of Finance (2020 - 2022) Class of 2024 Hameedah Baruwa Role: Co-President (2022-2024) Class of 2024 Shaye Erskine Role: VP Administration (2022-2024) Class of 2024 Isaiah Martin Role: Finance Support Director (2023 - 2024) Class of 2024 Miete Penedo Role: VP Marketing (2022-2024) Class of 2020 ​ Demi Okuboyejo Role: President (2019 - 2020) Class of 2022 Keshia Holloman-Dawson Role: Co - President (2021 - 2022) Role: President (2020 - 2021) Class of 2023 Mirabelle Harris - Eze Role: VP of Mentorship (2022 - 2023) Role: VP of Marketing (2020 - 2022) Class of 2024 Senait Yohannes Role: Co-President (2022-2024) ​ Class of 2024 Semhar Abraha Role: Co-VP Mentorship (2022 - 2024) ​ Class of 2024 Malik McKenzie Mate Role: VP Finance (2022 - 2024 ) Class of 2024 Chyna Brown Role: VP Events (2022-2024) Class of 2024 Naoll Degife Role: Administrative Support Director (2022-2023)

ABOUT US The Black Law Students’ Association at the University of Calgary (UCalgary BLSA) is a student-run club founded in 2018. We are committed to supporting and enhancing academic and professional opportunities for Black law students. This commitment extends to Black high school and undergraduate students and the community at large.​UCalgary BLSA is concerned with challenges faced by the Black community as they relate to the legal system. Launching various initiatives to promote increased representation of Black students in law schools and assist in facilitating their success are a priority. We are proud to provide opportunities for formal and informal discussions about many subjects including legal policy issues, effective career strategies, evolutions in substantive law and access to justice for marginalized groups.​We reflect the diversity of the Black/African experience and welcome allies from all backgrounds who also seek to make a meaningful contribution to the furtherance of justice.​ ​ Learn more about the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada at www.blsacanada.com Community

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EVENTS UCalgary BLSA 2023 Welcome BBQ Wed, Sep 27 Edworthy Park Picnic Site 6 Sep 27, 2023, 6:00 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. Edworthy Park Picnic Site 6 Sep 27, 2023, 6:00 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. Edworthy Park Picnic Site 6 The UCalgary BLSA is hosting it's annual Welcome BBQ on September 27th, 2023 from 6:00 pm - 9:15 pm. While our BBQ is primarily intended to welcome new Black Law Students, all UCalgary Law Students are invited! Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. +25 more Details Black History Month Speaker Series: A Conversation with Christian Smalls Mon, Feb 13 Zoom Feb 13, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Zoom Feb 13, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Zoom Details Working Towards Equity: A Conversation on Social Justice Thu, Feb 09 Zoom Feb 09, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Zoom Feb 09, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Zoom Details Black History Month Speaker Series: A Conversation with Charles Osuji Tue, Feb 07 Murray Fraser Hall Feb 07, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Murray Fraser Hall , 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada Feb 07, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Murray Fraser Hall , 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada Details UCalgary BLSA Welcome BBQ Thu, Sep 29 Edworthy Park Picnic Site 9 Sep 29, 2022, 6:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Edworthy Park Picnic Site 9 Sep 29, 2022, 6:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Edworthy Park Picnic Site 9 The UCalgary BLSA is hosting it's annual Welcome BBQ on September 29th, 2022 from 6:00 pm - 9:15 pm. While our BBQ is primarily intended to welcome new Black Law Students, all UCalgary Law Students are invited! Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. +35 more Details Graduation Celebration Sat, May 21 Message or email us for location May 21, 2022, 2:00 p.m. MDT Message or email us for location May 21, 2022, 2:00 p.m. MDT Message or email us for location This Saturday, we're coming together to celebrate our 2 graduating members, Keshia and David! +12 more Details PAST EVENTS PANEL: Black Legal History in Alberta Thursday, Feb 10th 2022 @ 12PM RSVP by emailing calgaryblsa@gmail.com Presented by UCalgary BLSA and Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, this event will include a video on Black trailblazers in Alberta’s legal history and a panel discussing Black legal history in our province. This is a virtual event on Black legal history in Alberta on February 10th from 12 - 1pm on zoom. This event will include a video on Black trailblazers in Alberta's legal history and a three-person panel with Patricia Sealy QC, who is the first Black woman QC in Alberta, Kene Ilochonwu, the first Black bencher to seat at the bencher's table in the Law Society of Alberta, and Professor Ubaka Ogbogu, one of the first Black full professors at the faculty of law in the University of Alberta.

2024 Sponsor Website Banner Template 2024 Sponsor Website Banner Template The Black Law Students’ Association at the University of Calgary (UCalgary BLSA) is a student-run non-profit organization at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. - African proverb BLSA UCalgary Chapter Nov 2, 2022 1 min UCalgary Annual BLSA BBQ Say hello to our new UCalgary Black law students. Last Thursday, we got the chance to meet the 1Ls. We were also joined by Professor... Post not marked as liked BLSA UCalgary Chapter Sep 30, 2022 1 min UCBLSA Official Statement for National Truth and Reconciliation Day September 30,2022 Phyllis Webstad said that "The truth is not yet fully told." Today, we remember there is still so much work to be done. Post not marked as liked

MEDIA BLSA UCalgary Chapter UCalgary Annual BLSA BBQ Say hello to our new UCalgary Black law students. Last Thursday, we got the chance to meet the 1Ls. We were also joined by Professor... BLSA UCalgary Chapter UCBLSA Official Statement for National Truth and Reconciliation Day September 30,2022 Phyllis Webstad said that "The truth is not yet fully told." Today, we remember there is still so much work to be done. BLSA UCalgary Chapter UCBLSA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 2022-2023 Hello Everyone! We are excited to announce UCBLSA Mentorship Program 2022-2023. Our goal is to provide professional mentorship to our...

where money stuff happens $ Need a reimbursement? Please read our Reimbursement Policy before you submit for reimbursement. Once it's been read: ​ 1) Fill out the Reimbursement Request Form . 2) Attach receipts. 3) Submit to our Finance Team: finance.ucalgaryblsa@gmail.com with calgaryblsa@gmail.com . cc’d. ​ For questions or concerns related to this policy, please contact the Finance Team at finance.ucalgaryblsa@gmail.com.

SUPPORT Bail Funds & Legal Support ​ Fundraising campaign by Inclusive Canada ​ "Funds raised in this campaign will be used to help assist protestors in the event they are arrested and/or charged through over-policing tactics when on the frontlines. This fund will be made available to all racialized and marginalized folks across Turtle Island who experience barriers to receiving proper legal aid, or in the event bail is required." Support

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