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A Message from Outgoing 2024 President, Alyson E. Bass, Esq.
As I complete my term as 2024 President of AMISTAD Long Island Black Bar Association, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. This past year has been a journey of growth, collaboration, and, most importantly, impact. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones that have not only strengthened our association but also made a tangible difference in our community.
Within the legal community, we increased partnership with our fellow bar associations and civic groups, co-sponsoring programs with the Suffolk County Women in Courts Committee, Suffolk County Women's Bar Association, and the Affinity Bar Collective, among others. We supported civic engagement with the Islip Town NAACP and the Town of Brookhaven Black History Commission.
AMISTAD made great strides in increasing opportunities for our members by co-hosting a networking event with the then Eastern and Southern District US Attorneys, Breon Peace and Damian Williams; working with the Nassau County 18(b) panel to increase application success from a more diverse pool of attorneys and also formed the framework for a law school internship program where the participants will receive a financial stipend.
This was a year that boasted a tremendous rise in member engagement. Our member survey revealed that social and networking programs were highly anticipated events and this year proved that true. There were over 70 members that attended the 2024 Installation. We had a near-record number of attendees at the Summer Party and a full house for our Annual Gala Dinner. AMISTAD also got back to basics and restarted a Lunch Meet Up series for our members to chat in a relaxed, social setting.
AMISTAD's position in the legal community is not unnoticed. In this year alone, we welcomed, the NYS Attorney General, Letitia James, the then Executive Director of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, Christopher Alexander, and the NYS Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado.
Our initiatives, including Voter Protection, have helped raise awareness on matters of equity and inclusion, while fostering an environment where the next generation of Black legal professionals can thrive.
AMISTAD continued to light the path for those that come behind us by ensuring we put forward quality competitors the MLK Drum Major for Justice HS Oratory Competition as well as the NBA Bar Prep Scholarship - with entries from AMISTAD winning Region 2 in both competitions.
However, the work does not end here. Looking to the future, we must continue to build on the foundation we've laid. The need for unity, advocacy, and community engagement is as strong as ever. We must continue pushing for systemic change, ensuring that the legal profession reflects the diversity and values of the society we serve.
I am confident that under the leadership of my esteemed and very capable successor, Hon. Geoffrey N. Prime and with all of your support, we will continue to break barriers, uplift one another, and work to carry out justice in every facet of our profession.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I look forward to what we will achieve together in the years to come.
Warmly,
Alyson
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