The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at Catholic Law marked Black History Month with a series of activities aimed at highlighting the achievements of Black Americans, building community, and encouraging open discussions. The month began with BLSA members volunteering at the NW Food Pantry together with members from the University of District of Columbia’s BLSA chapter. In addition to their service, students held a donation drive throughout February to collect items for pantry guests.
One event featured a “Hot Topics in the Law” discussion that addressed current legal issues such as threats to the Voting Rights Act, ICE shootings in Minnesota, attacks on press freedom—including cases involving Don Lemon—and the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Metro Surge.
Another evening included a screening of Becoming Thurgood, a film about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. The event was co-hosted by BLSA and Students for Public Interest Law (SPIL). Afterward, Professor Carl Hobbs led a discussion on themes from the film. The conversation focused on racial violence encountered by Marshall during his career and his efforts to fight segregation and discrimination in schools, voting rights, and courtrooms. Students noted that Marshall’s professional courage is still needed today.
Black History Month concluded with two final events: an alumni-student networking happy hour at Busboys and Poets in Brookland and a panel discussion about Black leadership in law and public service. Esosa Ruffin ’26, BLSA’s Black History Month Chair, moderated the panel which included Naomi Churchill Earp ’82 (former Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), Thomas Hicks ’99 (Commissioner of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission), and Judge Tamika D. Jones ’08 (Fairfax General District Court). Panelists spoke about their journeys through law school—discussing financial hardships, being first-generation students, breaking barriers in their fields, and how giving back has shaped their careers.
“As the only Black person in the third-year evening division, BLSA has been a safe haven and source of support throughout my law school journey. As Chair of Black History Month, it was really important that we not only honor the national theme of A Century of Black History Commemorations, but also bring together our membership, alumni, and the greater Catholic and D.C. community to be part of this historic moment through service, dialogue, and fellowship,” Ruffin said.
