Annual Students of Color Dinner 2017, group shot during candle lighting ceremony.

Juneteenth and BLSA: Celebrating Black Students at UB Law

Published June 28, 2021

Photo of Lindsay Gladney.

Lindsay Gladney is the Vice Dean for Admissions at the University at Buffalo School of Law.

The Civil Rights Movement is well known throughout not only the United States, but the world at large. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Fannie Lou Hamer—these names are synonymous with the movement of the 50s and 60s. So, why isn’t Juneteenth as widely known?

This month, Juneteenth entered the spotlight in a significant way, as President Biden and Vice President Harris signed into law a bill establishing Juneteenth National Independence Day—a federal holiday that designates the end of slavery in the United States. The struggle for African Americans to claim social justice, end racial discrimination and segregation, and push for greater equality throughout the nation continues and many would argue that despite this new holiday, the movement still has a long way to go.

In this post, we’ll discuss the significance of Juneteenth and profile the University at Buffalo School of Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA), a nationally affiliated organization of black law students dedicated to improving opportunities and diversity in legal education.

Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Black Independence Day—Juneteenth has gone by a few names since its origin in Galveston, Texas in 1866.

Despite President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation three years prior on January 1, 1983, the enforcement of the proclamation depended on the Union troops to deliver it to confederate states. It was more than two years later that Union Army general Gordon Grander informed more than a quarter of a million enslaved Blacks in Texas that they were free. Juneteenth was first celebrated just one year afterwards, spreading across the south and then into the far reaches of the US during the Great Migration.

Celebrations for Juneteenth have long included public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs, and reading works by lauded African American writers. As the Civil Rights movement gained traction in the 50s and 60s, Juneteenth celebrations noted a revival that gained momentum throughout the following decades in larger southern cities.

Juneteenth entered its latest stage of significance this month, June 2021, when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris signed into law a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. “We are gathered here in a house built by enslaved people,” said Vice President Harris as she signed the bill, invoking a reminder of how entrenched slavery is within US history. President Biden’s remarks carried a similar sentiment, as he noted “All Americans can feel the power of this day and learn from our history, and celebrate progress, and grapple with the distance we’ve come but the distance we have to travel to.”

Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was declared a holiday in 1986, 120 years after the first Juneteenth celebration.

The University at Buffalo School of Law is home to many diverse student-run organizations that are integral to the School of Law experience. The Black Law Students Association, or BLSA, is a nationally affiliated chapter dedicated to improving opportunities and diversity in legal education both locally and on a larger scale.

BLSA’s members work alongside other groups on campus and with the university directly to sponsor/host several activities, panels, social events, and services to build awareness and educate on legal and professional matters for black students. Job fairs and academic retreats are also held in conjunction with the National Black Law Students Association to help further educate and expand networking and career opportunities for students.

If you’re interested in learning more about BLSA, visit their webpage. You can also get involved in the conversation through their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram.

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Head shot of Shelbi Molin '22.

Shelbi Molin '22
BLSA President, 2021-22

BLSA Profile

We spoke with incoming BLSA President, Shelbi Molin '22, about BLSA and his aspirations as the organization’s President.

Congratulations on being elected President of the Black Law Students Association! What made you decide to run?
I decided to run because I felt a huge sense of responsibility to continue the legacy of the previous president and to help become that support system that I know BLSA was for me when I was a 1L.

As President, what traditions for BLSA do you hope to continue? Do you have any new ideas you’d like to implement?
I’ll continue BLSA's commitment to being one of the most active groups at the law school. Something I am looking to implement is finding a way to create an alumni contact book. I feel like our alumni are a huge resource that we are not tapping into enough, so I want to change that.

Just this week, President Biden signed into law a measure making Juneteenth (June 19) a federal holiday. Do you think this helps signify a broader shift that might lead toward equitable legislation for minority communities?
Unfortunately, no. It's a cool symbolism, but what the black community needs right now is legislation that will help uplift them from their current situation. I feel like at this point we are kind of tired of symbolic gestures and want actions.

How has BLSA shaped your experience at UB Law thus far? Can you talk about when you joined and what experiences that opened for you?
BLSA really helped my transition into law school during my 1L year. Coming in I had a lot of imposter syndrome and just didn't feel adequate to be there. I'm used to going to PWI [primarily white institutions] because I went to UB for undergrad, but law school made me feel like even more of a minority. Being around BLSA and seeing that there are people who look exactly like you, who are also going through the same struggles of law school, helped boost my morale immensely.

In addition to BLSA, what are some other rewarding associations that UB and/or the WNY area offers for black law students or other minority communities?
The Minority Bar Association is an amazing resource. It is filled with attorneys who were just in our shoes not too long ago and can help you navigate law school or even your legal career as a black attorney. They have always been a great network that BLSA can rely on for guidance and support.  

What advice would you have for future black law students at UB—particularly those looking to get involved in BLSA or various other law school activities?  
Any advice I would give is to believe in yourself and remember you are here for a reason. Also, to reach out—law school is not something you should do by yourself. It helps to know there's people out there who understand you

Our thanks to Shelbi for taking the time to respond to our questions and discuss his experience as a student at UB Law.

The importance of furthering equity and inclusion in the legal community is needed now more than ever. As President Biden honored the signing of the Juneteenth bill, he noted, “I think this will go down, for me, as one of the greatest honors I’ve had as president.” While that sentiment is strong and marks the importance of Juneteenth in America’s history, it is crucial to continue to reflect on why the holiday exists and how the country can honor the victories that have been made while continuing to fight for progress. That’s why organizations like the Black Law Students Association are so important, as they do crucial work to help young legal scholars continue to build new successes and milestones in the legal community.

Photo of Lindsay Gladney.

Lindsay Gladney is the Vice Dean for Admissions at the University at Buffalo School of Law.

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law-admissions@buffalo.edu

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