Since the start of the fall 2020 semester, South Texas College of Law Houston has been proud to host two moderated panel webinars on the pervasive effects of racism on law students and attorneys.
Sponsored by the office of the President and Dean and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office, and hosted by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at South Texas, the first event — titled, “Let’s Talk About It: Law Schooling While Black” — addressed an audience of students, faculty, staff, and other legal professionals. The well-attended webinar successfully illuminated some of the dark realities of racism, entrenched in the study of law for many students of color.
BLSA President Jaila Carter played an instrumental role in coordinating the event, which offered input from experienced alumni panelists.
Additionally, the STCL Houston student chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently hosted a panel-driven webinar titled, “Black Lives Matter: A Conversation About Racial Justice and Law.”
Event panelists included:
- Michael F. Barry, STCL Houston president and dean;
- Geoffrey S. Corn, STCL Houston professor;
- Njeri Rutledge, STCL Houston professor;
- Benny Agosto Jr., STCL Houston alumnus and immediate past president, Houston Bar Association;
- Markia Bordeaux, moderator and student president, ACLU chapter;
- Jaila Carter, student president, BLSA chapter;
- Brigette Dechant, student president, Women’s Law Society; and
- Clayton Hart, student president, Oil & Gas Law Society.
The panelists shared their professional experience of racism and belief in the importance of diversity in the legal profession.
To underscore the significance of diversity to STCL Houston’s mission and service, Barry recently created the department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the law school, and appointed Professor Shelby Moore to lead its efforts.
