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Equity & Inclusion blog

The Thirty-Fifth Annual Sadie T.M. Alexander Conference

The University of Pennsylvania Black Law Students Association is hosting the 35th Annual Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Commemorative Conference, which celebrates the life of Dr. Alexander, the first Black woman to graduate from Penn Law in 1927. 

Learn more about The Thirty-Fifth Annual Sadie T.M. Alexander Conference

March 21, 2024

Dividing Lines: Challenging Racial Inequality in Transportation Infrastructure with Deborah N. Archer

The Gittis Legal Clinics welcome Deborah N. Archer for the 2024 Clinical Legal Studies Workshop.  Professor Archer is Associate Dean for Experiential Education and Clinical Programs at NYU Law, the Margaret B. Hoppin Professor of Clinical Law, and Faculty Director of the Community Equity Lab. She is also the President of the American Civil Liberties Union and a leading expert in civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice.  Professor Archer will give an ad hoc presentation on “Dividing Lines: Challenging Racial Inequality in Transportation Infrastructure.” The presentation will be at 12 pm in Gittis 213. If you are a student, do not RSVP on this page; RSVP here for one of the limited student spots. This program has been approved for 1.0 Substantive CLE credits for Pennsylvania lawyers. CLE credit may be available in other jurisdictions as well. Attendees seeking CLE credit can make a payment via cash or check made payable to “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” on the day of the event in the amount of $10.00. In order to receive the appropriate amount of credit, evaluation forms must be completed. Penn Carey Law Alumni receive CLE credits free through The W.P. Carey Foundation’s generous commitment to Lifelong Learning. We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to participate fully. To request an accommodation or inquire about accessibility, please contact marqusee@law.upenn.edu.

March 28, 2024

1L Program: You as an Advocate

Facilitated Cohort Workshops: You as an Advocate Small group discussions of scenarios focused on helping students develop the skills of identifying and interrupting bias in legal practice and legal systems. 

April 1, 2024

Examining the Interconnected Elements of Religious Bias

Religious identity spans many aspects of life and culture, and is deeply rooted in history. The complexity and nuance of religious belief, practice, and identity are sometimes replaced by stereotypes and binaries, particularly in times of conflict. This series aims to examine and resist this reductive tendency by expanding cultural awareness and promoting skills that are key to working effectively across difference. Given the current rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia, the first two events in this series will examine each one in depth. The presentations will explore the complexity of these categories and the interconnectedness of religious and other forms of identity-based bias. They will also identify common themes that arise across religious bias in order to deepen our understanding of each other’s experiences and perspectives. The series will culminate in a workshop that uses case studies to explore how religious difference can strengthen a community.

April 11, 2024

Thank you, Inspirers!

outreach program volunteers

All Posts

Panel of BLSA Law Students for High School Visit

LJMP Hosts Lincoln High School Students

The event highlighted various pathways into the legal profession and provided valuable mentorship opportunities for high school students interested in pursuing careers in law.

Penn Carey Law Alums in discussion with an E&I Fellow

1L Programs on Building Professional Identity

On January 22, 2024 nearly a dozen alumni returned to Penn Carey Law to share their experiences with 1L students. E&I organized three concurrent Building Professional Identity panels.

E&I Fellows learning with Tony DelaRosa

E&I Fellows: Fall Workshop with Tony DelaRosa

The workshop, entitled Cross-Racial Solidarity, guided Fellows through Anti-Bias and Anti-Racist facilitation skills.

Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Scholars

Inaugural Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Trip to D.C.

On April 17, 2023, the Class of 2025 Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Scholars Program participated in the program’s inaugural field trip.

Penn Carey Law Admissions Outreach Program, pioneered by Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

One of the most notable and long-standing programs is the Outreach Program, “Applying to and Succeeding in Law School”, which was founded in 2007 by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA).

PFP Panelists

Penn First Plus (PFP) visits the Law School

Penn First Plus (P1P), the Penn College Achievement Program, and the Office of Equity & Inclusion collaborated to host a panel of Law Students, presenting about their law school experience to an audience of undergraduate Penn students.

JLSA EVENT

JLSA hosted Danny Goldsmith (née Daniel Goldsmidt)

Danny Goldsmith offered us his story, for which we are grateful. He’s taken part of the Shoah Foundation, where anyone can hear about these challenging stories from survivors. We can also learn more via the Holocaust Awareness Museum.

Anjelica Hendricks

Quattrone Center Fellow Anjelica Hendricks engaged students in the study of how policing intersects with race, gender, ability, and other intertwined socio-economic identities.

In her trailblazing new course “Policing Marginalized Communities,” Hendricks poses questions such as: To whom do police forces answer? What is considered criminal activity? Who is involved in determining whether police activity constitutes misconduct?

Shaun Ossei-Owusu

Prof. Shaun Ossei-Owusu LPS’08 explores the civil rights’ implications of pervasive race, gender, and sex discrimination in bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.

Professor Ossei-Owusu’s article is featured in Advances in Research, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s annual premier publication that highlights outstanding faculty research and scholarship.

ARC

The launch of ARC Justice Clinic

The ARC Justice Clinic provides students with hands-on experience working in civil rights litigation and policy advocacy in the Philadelphia region using a movement lawyering approach.

Simone, Chayla, Layla

Black Women Leaders

Simone Hunter-Hobson L’23, Chayla Sherrod L’23, and Layla June West L’23 are making history as the editors-in-chief at three of the Law School’s journals. Photo: Elizabeth Robertson / The Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer

alexander and mlk

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A collection of resources and events that honor Dr. King, celebrate the advances in our nation’s civil rights, and examine the work still to be done.

Margaret Zhang

Margaret Zhang L’15 advocates for pregnancy and lactation rights at the Women’s Law Project

Margaret Zhang L’15 advocates for pregnancy and lactation rights at the Women’s Law Project 

Jamie Baum

Student Advisory Board Member Jamie Baum L’22 named a Distinguished Law Student by the American College of Bankruptcy

Jamie Baum L’22 named a Distinguished Law Student by the American College of Bankruptcy

Rheem Angel Kay

Inaugural Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Scholars

Three University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School students receive scholarships honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Alexander, the first Black woman to earn her degree from the Law School.