We wrapped up our final Regional Convention (Midwest BLSA Region) in the great city of Columbus this past weekend and although every region is different, there is an underlying similarity with them all. The desire of our members to succeed and the amount of pride they have in their work. I love speaking with our members and feeling the energy communicated through their words. We may not always agree, but we will always love NBLSA, which is a great segue to the loss of one of the greatest voices of our time, Whitney Houston.
Are you going to be the change that you want to see in the world?
Happy MLK Day to you all! I hope that on this day we are being active members in our community, paying reverence to an individual who gave his life to causes that he believed in. Yesterday marked the 83rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Before he died, Dr. King fought tirelessly to address equal rights and justice for all, bring peace and end war, and aid working families in an effort to eradicate poverty. Many of us are familiar with MLK's world famous "I Have a Dream" speech on race relations in America. His cadence, honesty, and the picture that he painted in that speech still gives me goose bumps every time that I hear it. However, in light of our current economic situation, I would like to focus on the issue of poverty and economic inequality.
2011 was a very exciting year full of many a great blessing, new friends, new challenges, opportunities, and experiences that have made me a better individual and a better man. 2011 was also the toughest year of my life; full of many trials, tribulations, and obstacles that seemed to be never-ending. Without the grace of my Lord and savior and support of my loved ones, I never would have made it.
Its finals season! I want to send well wishes to every member of my board and all of the members of our great organization during this time of the year. It will be over before you know it and I am sure that everyone has done his or her best to be uber prepared for each of their exams. I hope that you all have the desire and ferociousness of a Honey Badger with the will to achieve against any and all odds. Be blessed and we will see you on the other side of finals!
"Some will win, some will lose Some were born to sing the blues Oh, the movie never ends It goes on and on and on and on... Don't Stop Believin'!" ~ Journey
Its that time of the year again! No, I am not speaking about chestnuts roasting on an open fire; nor I am referring to that jack frost that's nipping at your nose. Yes, for those of us NOT in law school, it can be "the most wonderful time of the year," but to all my fellow students this is the homestretch! We have been reading, outlining, briefing, note taking, purchasing supplements, and spending an exorbitant amount of time preparing for our classes throughout the semester. No matter your status in school e.g. 1L, 2L, etc., we all reach that point where we want to quit, stop studying or just desire to be doing something else, ANYTHING else!
"Image is nothing. Thirst is everything. Obey your thirst." ~ Sprite Marketing Campaign circa 1996.
I wanted to do a fun blog before finals began inundating my mind with information of which I am not very fond. My finals' schedule is pretty manageable, but we all know how that goes.
Anyways, I wanted to speak a bit about Kim Kardashian... no seriously, she is a person that many of us could stand to learn a thing or two from. I will let you digest that last sentence for a moment. I actually do not pay much attention to the young lady, but I know that overnight, she has become a sensation that has more spinoff television shows than Bill Walsh has former assistant coaches in the NFL as head coaches.
Winston Churchill once said, "Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."
On Wednesday October 5th, we lost some of the legends of our community; individuals who stood up for what they believed and as a result, changed the world. Steve Jobs did change the world, but this blog entry is not about him. I am actually referring to the legacies of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and Professor Derrick Bell.
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." ~ John F. Kennedy
Being a leader can be a lonely place sometimes. Whether you are doing something right or doing something wrong, you will be pissing somebody off. Its just comes with the territory because it's hard to be true to yourself, your beliefs, and your vision; and still be everything to everybody. In your head you think that you are doing the right thing. Your heart confirms many of the thoughts of your head. Some of the whispers say otherwise, however; and you as an individual can only hope that you are not doing your constituents a disservice. You fight hard for them on a daily basis. Spending long days and nights mulling over decisions that could be the difference between getting your normal 4 hours of sleep or your increasingly frequent 2-hour nap.
Today has so much significance to me. First of all, it is Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.'s Founders Day and so I am able to celebrate another year of the good works that we do around the world. Secondly, it is the eve of Congressional Black Caucus Week! In NBLSA land, only Convention-Eve tops CBC Week-eve but it's a very close second!
This week, NBLSA and its members have the opportunity to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus. We have pulled out all for stops for our members, the community, and the Congressional members.
Welcome to the jungle, we got fun 'n' games; We got everything you want, honey we know the names; We are the people that you find, whatever you may need... Welcome to the Jungle ~ Guns N Roses
(From Left to Right): Mauricio Benavides, Chibundu Nnake, Derrick Raphael, and Tremaine "Teddy" Reese
"Sometimes I romance the thought of leaving it all behind..." ~ Kanye West
Life as a Chair can be grueling and tiresome (shout out to the Regional Chairs), but it also has numerous perks. I have the chance to work with great people who are passionate about doing everything they can to diversify the legal profession.
God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above From the mountains To the prairies, To the ocean white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home
The 2011-2012 National Team: The Beginning of Lifelong Friendships
As I enter the final year of my JD/MBA, I often reflect on my experiences up to this point. Some of my experiences trigger reflections on how my time at The Ohio State University has shaped much of my current focus and ambition. Some experiences push me to think about the value-refining that has resulted from my time at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Much of my reflections center on how law school has made me a "habitual hedger". I no longer take firm stances; my primary, or at least initial response to most questions is "it depends" (I'm sure you can relate). But of the numerous experiences that I have enjoyed while a student, the most defining has been the time I have spent as a member of the National Black Law Students Association.
A team is more than a collection of people. It is a process of give and take. - Barbara Glacel & Emile Robert Jr.
...I don't believe that I ask much of folks. Be honest and loyal. Have integrity. Take initiative and onus. Work hard so that you can do your best and do a good job.
It seems like only yesterday that I was standing in front of hundreds at the Gala, taking the oath with the other elected national officers. Ever since then, the team you elected has been diligently working to put together a phenomenal group of servant leaders impassioned with the determination to move our organization forward. We have also been burning the midnight oil hoping to design programs that effectively address many of the concerns that you have as students and social engineers.
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