Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is a professional organization of Black law students dedicated to service, mentoring, raising political and social awareness, and networking. BLSA works diligently in its efforts to increase diversity in the legal profession and to demonstrate that academic excellence in legal education is an attainable goal for black students. We strive to provide the black law students with the necessary resources to be successful in law school, and in practice in the legal community. 

Detroit Mercy Law’s BLSA chapter is an affiliate of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA).  We focus on academic enrichment, community service, fundraising to provide scholarships for our constituents, and assisting in creating a more diverse atmosphere at the Law School. 

Leadership 2023-2024

BLSA Executive Board

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Announcements

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    LSAT Study Materials

    If you have any LSAT preparation materials that you no longer use, please consider donating them to BLSA. They will be provided to students preparing to take the LSAT. If you do not attend Detroit Mercy Law and have materials to donate, email BLSA so a pick up arrangement can be made.
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    Open Letter Regarding George Floyd

    An Open Letter from Detroit Mercy Law’s Black Law Students Association:

    The members of BLSA are writing to you all to echo the pain and anguish that we are experiencing right now as a result of the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Reed, Tony McDade, and so many other Black Americans. We have repeatedly been failed by a system that is supposed to protect and deliver true justice to us. Recent events have proven to us that, yet again, systematic racism continues to be an overwhelming problem in this country. Black people continuously and disproportionately suffer from police brutality in America.

    We as Detroit Mercy Law BLSA have had enough. We are tired of seeing Black people fighting for their lives and losing. We are tired of being seen as a threat because of the color of our skin. We are tired of living in fear in our homes, in our cars, and in our own neighborhoods. We are absolutely exhausted from begging for our right to life.

    We write to you all to ask that you reassess the disparity in our criminal justice system. We ask that you educate yourselves on the reality of racism and its consequences. We believe it is our duty as law students to be effectively informed and advocate for justice where it truly belongs.

    Furthermore, we stand in solidarity with the actions that Black communities have taken across the country. Prominent Black figures in American history have proven to us that activism, regardless of its
    form, is the key to freedom. Until the color of our skin is no longer a crime, we will continue to fight for that freedom, by any means necessary.

    We demand that the Justice System effectively takes action. We demand that justice be served uniformly. We demand that America recognize the value of our lives, decriminalize the color of our skin, and embrace our humanity.

    We are all collectively experiencing hurt. We are mourning every day. As usual, though, we are expected to show up and perform regardless of the circumstances. This is an unfair burden that we all must bear as we endure the fear and violence that the world is constantly deaf to. We encourage you all to join us in combating the inequity that exists in our country. Here are a few ways to do so:

      1. Donate to the following groups working towards the cause
        1. Black Visions Collective
        2. Reclaim the Block
        3. Northstar Health Collective
        4. LGBTQ Freedom Fund
      2. Sign the following petitions:
        1. NCAA Exploitation No More
        2. Justice for George Floyd on Change.org
        3. Educate yourselves. Utilize any privilege or platform you may have to educate others as well.

    We leave you all with this:

    “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

    ― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail

    Best Regards,
    2020-2021 Detroit Mercy Law Black Law Student Association

    President: Deja Davis, 3L
    Vice President: Nadine Dabaja, 3L
    Treasurer: Brandon Wilson, 2L
    Secretary: Danielle Anderson, 2L
    Parliamentarian: Shanice Leach, 2L