The Association of Black Law Alumni (The ABLA)

Open All | Close All

•  

  The ABLA President's Message

  It is with great honor, humility, and excitement that I step into the role of President of the Association of Black Law Alumni (ABLA). I am deeply inspired by the rich legacy of leadership and service that has come before me. 

  My vision is simple, yet strong—to empower and engage our community. As I take on this responsibility, I am aware of the challenges we face. The Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action in admissions and the ongoing attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and the troubling decline reported nationally in the enrollment of Black and Brown students underscores the critical importance of our work. We have an opportunity to be at the forefront of paving a new path forward. We remain committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

  Financial barriers to legal education remain a significant hurdle for students. We are setting a long-term fundraising goal for the David Williams II '82 and Gail Carr Williams '83 Endowed Scholarship to ensure Black students have access to needed financial support.

  We will continue strengthening our network by engaging alumni and collaborating with the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), the Hispanic and Latino Law Students Association (HLLSA), the Law Alumni Board, and community partners. This past August, we hosted the 4th annual ABLA Cookout, and despite the ever-present threat of rain, we had an amazing turnout.

  Mentorship remains the cornerstone of success for our community. By offering guidance, support, and shared experiences, we will create a bridge for the next generation to walk confidently into their careers. The journey of a Black law student does not end with a law degree, nor does our responsibility to them.

  As members of the legal profession, we must ensure that justice is not a privilege, but a right for all. We will deepen our commitment to social justice and continue advocating for the communities we serve.

  Together, we will ensure that our alumni community remains a vital network of support, advocacy, and mentorship. Our strength lies not in one person, but in all of us.  Let us continue to uplift one another as we write the next chapter in the ABLA’s proud history.

  Together We Rise!

  Jessica Holmes '15
  President
  Association of Black Law Alumni

•  

  Board of Directors

  The ABLA Board of Directors and Committee Assignment

  Board Director	Committee Assignment
  Jessica Holmes '15 (President)	Historical Documentation & Alumni Engagement (Chair)
  Brandon A. Wilson '22 (Vice President)	Communications & Alumni Engagement (Chair)
  DeLon Slaughter '23 (Secretary)
  Hon. Terrance A. Keith '84 (Emeritus)

•  

  Board Members

  The ABLA Members and Committee Assignment

  Member	Committee Assignment
  Mikyia Aaron '15
  Hon. Marilyn Atkins '80	Fundraising & Programming (Chair)
  Kristoffer Butler '19
  Ponce D. Clay '15	Communications & Alumni Engagement
  Jimar Cunningham '24
  Deja M. Davis '21
  Christin DewBerry '24
  Darwyn Fair '79	Mentoring & Student Relations
  Macie D. Tuiasosopo Gains  '13	Communications & Alumni Engagement
  Robbie Gaines '15	Fundraising & Programming
  Michele Hall-Edwards '84	Historical Documentation & Alumni Engagement (Chair)
  Krenissa Hicks '16	Fundraising & Programming
  Hon. Shannon A. Holmes '98	Historical Documentation & Alumni Engagement
  Marcel Hurt '92	Mentoring & Student Relations
  Ryan Jackson '17	Fundraising & Programming
  Sydney Jackson '24
  Larry J. Johnson II '23
  Edwina King '10	Communications & Alumni Engagement (Chair)
  Jonathan Kirkland '15	Mentoring & Student Relations
  Melissa Kopriva '16	Mentoring & Student Relations
  Ashley McBride '16	Fundraising & Programming
  Coriann McMillen '23
  Michael Mojica '24
  Mylika Radford '13	Fundraising & Programming
  Kymberly Kinchen Reeves '09	Mentoring & Student Relations (Chair)
  Nishawn Spiller '17	Fundraising & Programming
  Kimberly L. Ward '97

   

  Detroit Mercy Law Representatives

  Dean's Office
  313-596-0210
  lawdean@udmercy.edu

•  

  Committee Objectives

  Committee Objectives

  Committee	Purpose	Objectives
  Mentoring & Student Relations	Serve lead on a mentoring program for students in BLSA and point of contact for student needs.	Create and implement a robust mentoring program with BLSA.  Serves as a point of contact for student needs.
  Historical Documentation &  Alumni Engagement	Work with the Communications Committee in developing programs to engage alumni.  Provide direction and implement a means to document the history of Black alumni at Detroit Mercy Law	Develop a means to document the history of Detroit Mercy Law Black Alumni. Coordinate volunteers to implement program.
  Fundraising &  Programming	Collaborate with university development and dean to plan and implement a robust program for ABLA related funds.	Work to raise funds and awareness for the Williams Endowed Scholarship. Work with Director of Alumni Relations on Annual Fund. Community Relations to plan and implement Cook Out. Develop programs to connect students and alumni.
  Communications & Alumni Engagement	Manage social media for the ABLA group; engage with alumni who have expressed interest in getting involved & staying connected, support efforts of other committees in messaging and promotion.	Create and implement a robust social media program to engage alumni and ensure the community knows about BLSA. Work with the programming committee to develop, implement and promote events and programming. Coordinate volunteers – assign to committee. Plan events and gatherings in partnership with Law School Alumni Relations and Law School Board of Directors.

•  

  Contact the ABLA

  If interested in learning more about the ABLA or to get involved, contact detroitmercylawabla@gmail.com. 

About the Association of Black Law Alumni

Open All | Close All

•  

  Mission and the ABLA Charter

  The ABLA is dedicated to: 

  • Fostering a mutually beneficial and lifelong relationship between Detroit Mercy Law and black alumni.
  • Ensuring black law students are able to attend and thrive at Detroit Mercy Law.
  • Facilitating the successful transition of black law students into the legal profession and engaging black alumni to actively participate in events hosted by the School, the Alumni Association and the ABLA. 

  The ABLA Charter

•  

  Background and History

  On Thursday, May 18, 2017, seventeen Detroit Mercy Law black alumni met in Detroit to discuss the formation of a black alumni association. Present were: Mikyia Aaron '15, Brandon Byrd '19, Charity Dean '15, Robbie Gaines '15, Michelle Hall '84, Kyra Harris '14, Ticara Hendley '16, Jessica Holmes '15, Derek Hurt '84, Aaron Jackson '17, Ryan Jackson '15, Hon. Terrance Keith '84, Melissa Kopriva '16, Macie Tuiasosopo '13 and Nishawn Spiller '17.

  There was unanimous support for an association of black alumni to support black law students and to create a network among black alumni. Support was shaped by shared racial discrimination experiences, both subtle and overt, across the decades, as well as concerns about the low enrollment of black law students and the absence of tenured black professors.

  On May 24, 2017, Hon. Terrance Keith '84 and Melissa Kopriva '16 met with Dean Phyllis L. Crocker to discuss the formation of a black law alumni association as an affiliate of the Detroit Mercy Law Alumni Association. With Dean Crocker’s endorsement, upon determining an amendment to the Alumni Association’s by-laws would be necessary, a motion to amend the by-laws for the creation of affiliate associations was made and approved at the Alumni Association's Sept. 2017 board meeting.

  The following year, on May 22, 2018, the Alumni Association approved a charter for the formation of the Association of Black Law Alumni (the ABLA), Detroit Mercy Law's first affiliate alumni association. At the meeting, the Alumni Association expressed that increasing black alumni participation in Detroit Mercy Law events and programs was of vital importance to the long term mission and success of the Alumni Association and the School. The Alumni Association resolved the creation of ABLA would actively assist the School with increasing black alumni and student participation through fellowship, career networking, mentoring, student recruitment, retention, scholarship fundraising and other activities that enhance the Detroit Mercy Law experience.

  A number of events and activities have taken place since the initial formation of ABLA, including:

  • May 2018: The ABLA charter approved by the Detroit Mercy Law Alumni Board.

  • April 2018: The University presented Judge Gregory Mathis '88 with the 2018 Detroit Mercy Alumni Achievement Spirit Award; the Law School held a reception honoring Judge Mathis the evening before the University's celebration.

  • Oct. 2018: The Fall 2018 issue of the Docket was dedicated to black alumni and alumni of color, a first in the history of the Docket. 

  • Nov. 2018: Research began on the history of black alumni.

  • March 2019: Portrait of Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Denise K. Langford Morris '82 was unveiled and is now displayed in the Detroit Mercy Law atrium, marking the first portrait of an African American and a woman at the Law School.

  • Summer 2019: The ABLA’s administrative structure within the Law School and the university established.   

  • Aug. 2019: Professor Jelani Jefferson Exum becomes Detroit Mercy Law's first black tenured professor.

  More information can be found here.

•  

  The ABLA Initiatives

  The ABLA has established the following priority initiatives: 

  • Create a pre-graduation ceremony congratulating and welcoming new graduates as members of ABLA and introducing them to alumni.
  • Identify a pool of alumni to serve as mentors and participate in the dean’s annual admitted student reception. 
  • Attend and support the annual BLSA Las Vegas Night Event fundraiser.
  • Establish a major endowed scholarship for black law students to augment the financial assistance provided by the law school.  
•  

  The David Williams II ’82 and Gail Carr Williams ’83 Endowed Scholarship Fund

  The Detroit Mercy Law Association of Black Law Alumni (The ABLA) was established in 2019 to serve as a voice and mentoring organization for Black law alumni and current students at Detroit Mercy Law. One of the ABLA’s priorities is to raise $1 million for the David Williams II ’82 and Gail Carr Williams ’83 Endowed Scholarship Fund to support Black law students. To make a gift, visit our Donate to the School of Law website and designate your gift to "Williams Scholarship".

  "This is an enduring way to extend and enhance community scholarship. It is truly my sincere hope that many will support the ABLA with contributions to the scholarship with gifts of any size, deepening the legacy for the generations of Detroit Mercy Law black alumni to come."
  Gail Carr Williams '83

Black History of Detroit Mercy Law

Open All | Close All

•  

  Trailblazers: First Known African American Graduates

  First Known African American Graduates

  • Henry H. Tarrant 1922
  • Frank Stony 1922
  • Jerry Dixon 1923  
  • Mozelle Edyth Cogman Goins (attended from 1921-23 but did not graduate)
  • Harold E. Bledsoe 1925
  • Hazel Lyman 1927
  • Ralph Osborne 1929 
•  

  2018 Docket Feature: Bending the Arc Toward Justice

  Read the 2018 Docket for stories about Detroit Mercy Law alumni judges and attorneys of color.

  

•  

  Bending the Arch Toward Justice Launch Event

  Detroit Mercy Law ushered in Black History Month by hosting an evening on January 30, 2020 that acknowledges and celebrates our history, our present, our future. The event includes:

  

  • A portrait unveiling of Henry H. Tarrant 1922, our first known African American graduate.
  • Remarks by Godfrey Dillard, a civil rights trailblazer and one of the lawyers who represented BLSA in their lawsuit against the university in the early 1980s.
  • The announcement of the new Henry H. Tarrant Award for Black Student Excellence.
  • The official launch of the Association of Black Law Alumni (the ABLA) and the ABLA’s new scholarship for African American students.

  Photo Gallery