Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Faculty Advisor: Neil Williams
The Loyola chapter of the National Black Law Student Association seeks to increase the number of African-American attorneys and judges in the United States and to address issues of importance to the African-American community. Loyola's chapter conducts programs to increase the number and success of African-American law students at Loyola, and it sponsors activities designed to increase contact between students and African-American legal professionals.
BLSA sponsors numerous events to encourage professional development, networking, and academic success throughout the Loyola community.
BLSA also proudly supports the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court and Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial competitions, which are held by the National Black Law Student Association each year.
BLSA sponsors the annual Race and the Law Symposium, which brings together distinguished scholars and practitioners to discuss issues regarding race in the context of the legal system.
BLSA hosts an annual brunch, at which the Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Service Award is presented to an African-American alumnus/a of Loyola. The award is named after Donald L. Hollowell, a 1951 alumnus of Loyola, who distinguished himself as one of the leading lawyers of the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Hollowell passed away at the end of 2004.
For more information on the NBLSA or Loyola's chapter, please email us at blsaloyolalaw@luc.edu.
2025-2026 Executive Board
President: Trey Austin
Vice President: Trinity Rogers
Secretary: Karalyn Smith-Ross
Treasurer: Kamal Baker
Social Chair: Cicely Warren
BLSA members attending the 2025-26 Welcome Picnic.
BLSA's 2024-2025 Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Team after winning the Midwest Regional Competition. (From left to right: Coach Erika R. Jefferson, Hannah Bessette, Jake Schultz, and Coach Rachael Wilson)
BLSA 2024-25 and 2025-26 E-Boards attending the 2025 Alumni Brunch (First row, from left to right: Jazmine Taylor, Breana Sims, Hannah Bessette, Alexis Spraggins, and Dede Benissan) (Second Row, from left to right: Kamal Baker, Trinity Rogers, Trey Austin, Cicely Warren, and Karalyn Smith-Ross)
Faculty Advisor: Neil Williams
The Loyola chapter of the National Black Law Student Association seeks to increase the number of African-American attorneys and judges in the United States and to address issues of importance to the African-American community. Loyola's chapter conducts programs to increase the number and success of African-American law students at Loyola, and it sponsors activities designed to increase contact between students and African-American legal professionals.
BLSA sponsors numerous events to encourage professional development, networking, and academic success throughout the Loyola community.
BLSA also proudly supports the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court and Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial competitions, which are held by the National Black Law Student Association each year.
BLSA sponsors the annual Race and the Law Symposium, which brings together distinguished scholars and practitioners to discuss issues regarding race in the context of the legal system.
BLSA hosts an annual brunch, at which the Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Service Award is presented to an African-American alumnus/a of Loyola. The award is named after Donald L. Hollowell, a 1951 alumnus of Loyola, who distinguished himself as one of the leading lawyers of the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Hollowell passed away at the end of 2004.
For more information on the NBLSA or Loyola's chapter, please email us at blsaloyolalaw@luc.edu.
2025-2026 Executive Board
President: Trey Austin
Vice President: Trinity Rogers
Secretary: Karalyn Smith-Ross
Treasurer: Kamal Baker
Social Chair: Cicely Warren