President's Message

Dear BWLA Members and Supporters,

On April 5, 2025, I had the distinct honor, as President of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., to welcome attendees to our 2025 Spring Fundraising Gala, themed "Forging Ahead: Celebrating Her Legal Prowess." We were also grateful to receive a special welcome message from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.

The evening was a powerful tribute to the resilience, excellence, and leadership of Black women in the legal profession. We were inspired by the moving words of our featured speakers, U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Juliette Pryor, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., who reminded us of the strength and impact of our collective voice.

We were proud to recognize nine outstanding honorees, each exemplifying what it means to be bright, bold, and balanced across various sectors of the legal field.

This year also marked a significant milestone for BWLA. We awarded $31,000 in scholarships to deserving law students—bringing our total scholarship awards for this bar year to over $40,000. Supporting the next generation of legal minds is central to BWLA’s mission, and we proudly recognized four Spring Essay Award recipients and one Agnes B. McGirth Scholarship recipient.

The evening was brought to life by the dynamic performances of Ms. B’s Dancers and Cellist, Ayanna Williams, of Yanna Cello, both who captivated us with boldness and grace.

This celebration would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our Gala Co-Chairs: Christina O. Alabi, Deborah Imafidon, Jade Peeples, and Natanya Pope-Sohel, Vice President Joan Akalaonu, Program Administrator K Rhea, the Scholarship Fund Board, the BWLA Board of Directors, and our incredible volunteers.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our Title Sponsor, Jones Day, and to all of our gala sponsors, supporters, and guests. Your generosity and support help us continue our work of uplifting, mentoring, and empowering Black women lawyers.

Serving as BWLA’s 2024–2025 President is a true honor. To our Founders, Past Presidents, Lifetime Members, and the vibrant BWLA community: Thank you for laying the foundation and continuing to support our mission. Together, we forge ahead—Bright. Bold. Balanced.

Yours in Sisterhood,

Weeya Baysah Young

BWLA President 2024-2025

#Bright.Bold.Balanced.

Upcoming Events

Register Today for the BWLA Spring General Body Meeting & Board Elections!

Join BWLA at the Spring Member Meeting and Board Elections on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, hosted at Barnes and Thornburg, 1 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 4400, Chicago, IL, 60606, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. BWLA is honored to welcome longtime BWLA member and Chicago Bar Association President-Elect, the Honorable Nichole C. Patton, Circuit Court of Cook County, as our guest speaker. 

During the meeting, BWLA President Weeya Young will highlight the successes and achievements of the 2024-2025 bar year. We will also hear from candidates, conclude the elections, and announce the election results for the 2025-2026 BWLA Board of Directors. Click the link below to register today!

Get Involved: Join a BWLA Committee Today!

Past Events

BWLA at the 2025 Spring Fundraising Gala, Forging Ahead:

Celebrating Her Legal Prowess

On April 5, 2025, BWLA hosted the 2025 Spring Fundraising Gala: Forging Ahead: Celebrating Her Legal Prowess at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago, IL. BWLA was honored to have U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Juliette Pryor, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Lowe’s, as featured speakers.

The BWLA Scholarship Fund Board awarded more than $30,000 to deserving law students, including the Spring Essay Scholarship winners Sydney Mann, Amira Fitzpatrick, Jada C. Nneji, and Elona Addah and Agnes B. McGirth Scholarship recipient Sheraya Bernard. The Scholarship Fund Board also raised more than $18,000 in funds from the evening's paddle drop!

BWLA also honored nine incredible Black women lawyers with Bright, Bold, and Balanced awards in recognition of them forging ahead with strength and resilience despite facing challenging times and circumstances. The awardees were:

Bright

• Christy George, President and CEO, Intersect Illinois
• Elaena Harris, Associate Counsel, Chicago Bears
• Malaika Caldwell, Director & In-House Counsel, Benefits, ERISA, Compensation and ID&E, Kyndryl 

Bold

• Camile Lindsay, Director of Professional Regulation, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
• Kim Foxx, Former Cook County State's Attorney
• Lisa Kpor, Litigation Counsel, United Airlines 

Balanced

• Jessica Garmon, COO & Chief General Counsel, The Will Group
• Michelle Speller Thurman, Divisional Vice President and Associate General, Licensing & Acquisitions, Abbott Laboratories with her photo
• Precious Jacobs-Perry, Partner, Jenner and Block 

Special thanks to the gala planning committee chairs, Gala Logistics Chair and Scholarship Fund Board Member, Jade Peeples, Gala Programming Chair and Scholarship Fund Board Member Deborah Imafidon, and Gala Fundraising Chairs and BWLA Board Members at Large Natanya Pope-Sohel and Christina Alabi, for their wonderful efforts in making the gala an unforgettable event!

Empowering Our Bright Future: BWLA & HLAI Host Pearls of Etiquette: An Evening of Fine Dining and Networking

On April 15, 2025, BWLA and HLAI co-hosted Pearls of Etiquette: An Evening of Fine Dining and Networking at Carnivale. Attendees enjoyed dinner along with an interactive program, led by the Swann School of Protocol Etiquette Coach Krystal Williams, regarding networking and employment etiquette.

BWLA President Weeya Young, BWLA Vice President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Board Member at Large Natanya Pope-Sohel, HLAI President Cindy Medina-Cervantes, WBAI Ex-Officio Whitney Siehl, and others, including BWLA and HLAI law student members, also attended.

Celebrating Bold GCs: BWLA Hosts Half-Day CLE Seminar and General Counsel Reception

On April 17, 2025, BWLA hosted the second annual Half Day CLE Seminar and General Counsel Reception at Jones Day. Attendees observed CLE session discussing Supreme Court updates, Litigation Hot Topics, DEI at a Crossroads, and Insights from the C-Suite. At the reception, BWLA honored: Sylvia Stein, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Veralto; Sharon Barner, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Cummins; and Tamika Frimpong, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, HARMAN.

BWLA President Weeya Young, BWLA Vice President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Board Member at Large Christina Alabi, BWLA Past President Elsa Andrianifahanana, BWLA Member J. Simone Jones, and other members of the Corporate Counsel Committee attended. Special thanks to the BWLA Corporate Counsel Committee Chairs Kanasha Herbert, Melanie Stewart, Sydney Weathersby for coordinating this amazing event.

BWLA Hosts 2025 Roundtable Discussion: "Balance: Avoiding Burnout in This Chaotic Time"

On May 1, 2025, BWLA hosted a Roundtable Discussion and lunch at Quarles & Brady. Ony Beverly, Quarles & Brady Chief People & Diversity Officer, shared tips and techniques to effectively manage and avoid burnout despite the hectic nature of our legal careers. BWLA Recording Secretary Jeneé Gaskin, BWLA Board Member at Large Christina Alabi, and BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Chair Demitrus Evans were on-hand to enjoy the program.

BWLA Attends the Chicago Bar Association's

2025 Vanguard Awards Luncheon

On April 22, 2025, BWLA attended the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) Vanguard Awards in support of BWLA's 2025 honoree, the Honorable Jacqueline P. Cox, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The awards honor individuals and institutions who have made the law and legal profession more accessible and reflective of the community over the course of their careers.

BWLA President Weeya Young, BWLA Vice President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Lifetime Member the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman, BWLA Past President the Honorable LaShonda Hunt, BWLA Lifetime Member the Honorable Arnette Hubbard (ret.), BWLA Past President Mary Melchor, BWLA member the Honorable Nichole Patton, and the Honorable Timothy Evans were among the attendees.

BWLA Attends Law Day of Action 2025

in Support of the Rule of Law

On May 1 2025, BWLA joined other participating bar associations at the Chicago Bar Association Chicago Law Day of Action at Chicago's Federal Plaza. Attendees reaffirmed their oath to the legal profession. BWLA President Weeya Young, BWLA Board Member at Large Shannon Stokes, BWLA Lifetime Member the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman, BWLA Past President Kalia Coleman, BWLA member Natalie Ellis, HLAI President Cindy Medina-Cervantes, WBAI Ex-Officio Whitney Siehl were among the attendees.

BWLA Attends Illinois Bar Admission Ceremony

On April 1, 2025, BWLA Vice President Joan Akalaonu, BWLA Lifetime Member the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman, and HLAI Ex-Officio Dora Cornelio were among judges and bar association leaders who gathered to welcome new lawyers to the Illinois Bar.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., and First District Appellate Court Justice Rina Van Tine administered the oath to the 222 new lawyers of the First District.

BWLA Attends HLAI Charities Casino Night

On April 11, 2025, BWLA President Weeya Young and BWLA Vice President Joan Akalaonu attended the inaugural HLAI Charities' Casino Night fundraiser. Congratulations to HLAI Charities' President Jocely Pacheco and HLAI President Cindy Medina-Cervantes on a wonderful event.

Events Around Town

Save the Date: ISBA's Women and the Law Upcoming Visit to the Illinois Supreme Court

Register Today for the Live CLE: "The Judiciary and Executive Actions"

On May 21, 2025, join the Illinois Bar Association and the Asian American Bar Association for "The Judiciary & Executive Actions" CLE Program and Reception. As of April 2025, at least 60 of President Trump's executive orders have been at least temporarily paused by federal judges. Hear renowned experts on executive authority provide an overview of these cases, explain the legal context and environment, and describe what to expect next.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

ISBA Regional Office, 20 S. Clark Street, Suite 820, Chicago

CLE Program: 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. (1.0 hour MCLE credit)

Complimentary Reception: 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.

Click the button below to register!

Save the Date: Northwestern Law 64th Annual Corporate Counsel Institute

Register Today to Attend the Chicago Bar Association Trial Academy

Apply Today for the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division Centennial Scholarship or Support the Giving Society

Purchase Tickets Today for the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division Fellowship and Wellness Retreat

The National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division invites you to its Fellowship & Wellness Retreat on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Langham Hotel, 330 N. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, for an enriching day dedicated to relaxation, connection, and rejuvenation.

Highlights Include:

• Spa Treatment and Lunch Combo:
• Enjoy a 30-minute spa treatment, access to the sauna, relaxation room, and indoor pool, followed by a delicious lunch.
• Member Rate: $150
• Non-Member Rate: $185
• Lunch Only Option:
• Perfect for those with limited time. Join us for lunch from 12 PM to 1:30 PM.
• Price: $50

Tickets are limited, and the registration deadline is May 31, 2025. Click on the link below to register.

Submit Nominations and Purchase Tickets Today for the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division Annual Achievement Awards

The National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division is proud to announce the Annual Achievement Awards celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of women lawyers making an impact in the legal profession. Submit nominations through the link below. Nomination Deadline: April 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EDT)

• Nomination Categories Include:
• Corporate (In-House) Counsel
• Solo/Small Firm
• Minority Partner in Majority Firm
• The Judiciary
• Young Lawyer
• Public Service Hidden Figure
• Women Lawyer Champion
• Pro Bono
• Academia

BWLA Member Achievements

Congratulations to BWLA Past President Elsa Andrianifahanana on being selected by Ascend Justice as a 2025 Champion of Justice. She will receive the award at the Celebration of Courage on June 12, 2025.

Congratulations to BWLA Past President and Lifetime Member Dorothy Capers on her new role as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary at C.H. Robinson!

Congratulations to BWLA Scholarship Fund Board Member Ashlee Germany on her new role as an Associate at Reed Smith and for being selected as one of the 2025 National Bar Association Top 40 under 40 Attorneys!

Congratulations to BWLA Member Jaylin McClinton for receiving the Young and Ambitious - Bold Advocate Award from the The Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League.

Congratulations to BWLA Founder Z Scott for receiving the Making a Difference Award at the 2025 Chicago Women in Philanthropy Annual Luncheon on May 6, 2025!

Congratulations to BWLA Member Stephanie Snow on her new roles as Deputy Director of Human Resources of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services!

Do you or someone you know have an achievement that you'd like us to highlight in our monthly newsletter? We want to celebrate our members! Send your latest achievement addressed to administrator@bwla.org.

Employment Opportunities

BWLA constantly receives new employment opportunities that our members may be interested in. The ever expanding list has become too lengthy to share here, so please be sure to visit the BWLA Job Board to view all current employment opportunities!

Sponsors

Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. | www.bwla.org