The National Bar Association (NBA) – the world’s largest and oldest organization of predominantly African-American judges and attorneys – next week will be centered in Memphis for its 97th Annual Convention.
Beginning Sunday (July 24) through July 29, the five-day convention will unfold with the theme “S.T.A.N.D. UP: Strong Tenacious Advocacy for a New Deal”. Nearly 1,000 registrants are expected for the convention at the Sheraton Convention Center in Downtown Memphis.
Reanetta Hunt, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization, emphasized that the NBA convention is open to anyone currently in the legal profession, law students, those aspiring to pursue the legal profession, and others who are passionate about the justice system.
Judge Carlos E. Moore, the 79th president of the National Bar Association, points to Memphis’ rich civil rights history as a timely backdrop for a key focal point of the convention.
“As a result of what happened in Memphis during the 60’s Civil Rights Movement, laws were put in place to support equality and ensure fairness,” said Moore, the managing partner of The Cochran Firm – Mississippi Delta, which is based in Grenada, Miss.
“Unfortunately, and especially of late, we’ve seen a rise in the public outcry for justice as crimes against people of color have escalated bringing to the forefront an even greater need for diverse lawyers and judges with a unique understanding of both the legal system and the people of color it is supposed to serve….
“During this year’s NBA convention, we are focused on equipping those on the frontlines with the tools they need to be impactful as legal professionals and business owners in the face of hate crimes, police brutality, sexism, racism, and the like.”
The agenda will feature panels with industry experts addressing topics such as Diversity In Tech, Black Prosecutors Matter, The State of the Black Woman Lawyer In America, and the importance of Diversity in the Workplace. In addition, there will be speakers, educational activities, and entertainment.
Fred D. Gray Sr., a recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Judge Mablean Ephraim, who starred in the popular television series “Divorce Court,” are among the conference honorees.
Other events include the NBA’s 40 Under 40 gala recognizing “some of the best and brightest attorneys of color.”
Award-winning 90’s R&B group, Dru Hill will headline the entertainment at the FedExForum.
Founded in 1925, the NBA has 60,000-plus members and 84 affiliate chapters across the United States, Canada, the UK, Morocco, and the Caribbean.
(For more information and to register, visit www.nationalbar.org.)
