2023 BWLF Scholarship Luncheon Program Book

SPONSORS

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation is grateful for the many generous sponsors and underwriters of its 47th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser & Awards Luncheon.

FRIENDSHIP

SCHOLASRHIP UNDERWRITERS

SILVER

JACKIE HARDING • SANDRA K. WILLIAMS

BOND SERVICES INSURANCE AGENCY AND BROKERAGE

GOLD

Helping Medi-Cal families since 1994.

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Welcome

2023 Scholarship Fundraiser and Awards Luncheon, Chair

Crystal Hayes Fields

I am excited to welcome you to the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation’s (“BWLF”) 47th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser and Awards Luncheon! This year’s theme, “Rooted in the Community: Empowering the Collective,” recognizes the importance of community as a collective means of support and growth of the individual and the group. The individuals that we are honoring this year have contributed their time, energy, talent and resources to enhance and strengthen the community. In particular, this year’s honorees have played a pivotal role in improving the health, well-being and economic security of communities of color. They have led by example and provided tools, education and platforms to empower the collective to thrive, excel and achieve. They have inspired us to do better and be better. The honorees are as follows:

Excellence in Advocacy, Crystal D. Crawford, Executive Director of the Western Center on Law and Poverty Crystal Crawford plays a pivotal role in advancing the health and economic security of low-income Californians, women of color and communities of color. Her passion for these issues orders her career path and exemplifies her commitment to community progress and community organizations. Before being Western Center’s Executive Director, she was program director at the California Wellness Foundation and CEO at the Black Women’s Health Project. She is active in the leadership of many numerous civic and community organizations.

Excellence in the Law, Amber Finch, Managing Partner of Reed Smith’s Los Angeles Office

As Managing Partner of Reed Smith’s Los Angeles office, Amber Finch leads by example. She is an impressive litigator who has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance proceeds for her clients, and currently represents a litany of clients from start-up businesses to middle market and Fortune 500 companies. She is a force to be reckoned with in her field, a remarkable attorney and yet remains grounded in her community.

Excellence in the Arts, Tabitha Brown, Actress, Entrepreneur, Social Media Influencer

Ms. Brown is a social media phenomenon and as such creates communities online and off. She has over 4.2 million followers on Instagram and 5 million followers on TikTok. She’s the creator of the YouTube children’s show, Tab Time. She is also an entrepreneur and recently partnered with Target and Ulta Beauty to sell several collections including a food, clothing and hair care line. She is also the author of three books: Feeding the Soul, Cooking from the Spirit and Tabitha Brown Seen Loved & Heard.

Community Service Award, The Social Justice Learning Institute

The Social Justice Learning Institute (“SJLI”) is dedicated to empowering others to improve the community. SJLI is committed to improving the education, health and well-being of youth and communities of color. The organization’s work is instrumental in producing, training and building community leaders. This year, SJLI culminated 104 high school graduates from their flagship Urban Scholars program. To date, SJLI has supported the college and career paths of 3,379 students in Los Angeles and Houston.

We applaud each of our honorees, and their dedication to and efforts in advancing the community. Their contributions are instrumental to our success as a whole.

I would like to thank our Sponsors and Scholarship Underwriters for your continued support. Without you we would not have the ability to assist the next generation of law students. I would also like to thank the Scholarship Fundraiser and Selection Committees, including chairs, Brittany Engleman Hicks and Kathiana Aurelien, for your time and commitment. Your work is appreciated and has been instrumental. I would like to sincerely thank BWLF President Alma Graham for your leadership, encouragement and support. As for the Foundation Board Membersyour commitment to BWLF is unparalleled, and we look forward to working with you to build on our 47 year legacy of excellence in service. A special thanks to our Event Planner, Terrina Scott, for her patience and hard work. And finally, to our members, friends, and guests - thank you for your continued support of BWLF. We hope you enjoy and are inspired by this afternoon’s program.

Warmly,

Crystal Hayes Fields, Chair

BWLF 47th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser and Awards Luncheon

Welcome

BWL Foundation, President Alma Howard Graham

On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to extend heartfelt greetings to all the attendees of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation (Foundation) 47th Annual Scholarship Luncheon & Fundraiser. As we turn the page on another year and leave the world pandemic behind us, we are yet again facing a unique time of social uncertainty and challenge in America. But we are delighted to have you here today to celebrate our mission to promote equity and inclusion in the legal profession. During our time together, our goal is to uplift, witness and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our scholarship recipients who are the reason for this event. We will also honor outstanding individuals and take pride in their stellar accomplishments.

For more than four decades, the Foundation has been dedicated to cultivating the next generation of diverse attorneys by providing law student scholarships and investing in programs promoting equity and inclusion and overall community wellbeing. This year’s theme “Rooted in the Community: Empowering the Collective” uniquely communicates the mission and commitment to support and encourage our communities and provide the highest levels of service to others.

We are pleased to recognize the Foundation’s 2023 scholarship recipients and the Change Lawyers Diversity scholarship recipients. They represent the next generation of talented Black lawyers poised to “Empower the Collective.” We are also pleased to congratulate our honorees: Tabitha Brown, America’s “Mom,” author, entrepreneur, and actor; Crystal Crawford, Executive Director of the Western Center on Law and Poverty; Amber Finch, Managing Partner, Reed Smith LLP; and the Social Justice Learning Institute. They represent Black voices who are exemplifying empowerment on behalf of our communities with their accomplishments and dedication.

On behalf of the Foundation board, I want to express our deepest and sincere gratitude to our sponsors who make our scholarships possible. We are especially grateful to the Scholarship Luncheon Committee Chair Crystal Hayes Fields for her tireless work to make this event a spectacular success with the support of our event coordinator Terrina Scott. I am also thankful for Scholarship Committee co-chairs Britany M. Engelman and Kathiana Aurelian for their outstanding work in the selection of our scholarship recipients. Finally, I applaud the Foundation Board members for their investment of resources and unwavering dedication and support of the Foundation’s mission.

With sincere and warm regards,

Alma Howard Graham, President, Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation

Welcome

2022-2023 BWL Inc. President Jasmine S. Horton

On behalf of the 2022-2023 Board of Officers and Committee Chairs of Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc. (“BWL”), welcome to the 47th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser & Awards Luncheon! Today promises to be a truly special event celebrating the achievements of four outstanding honorees and recognizing the future of the legal profession in our 2023 scholarship recipients.

BWL held its first scholarship event in 1975 and since then, BWL and its Foundation have continued to award scholarships and bar grants to outstanding law students who have shown dedication to both their studies and their communities. As a past scholarship recipient, I can say from personal experience that receiving a BWLF scholarship is more than just a monetary gift, it is the foundation on which careers are built and invaluable relationships formed. Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients! We are confident that you will go on to have great success and be the change makers the world needs.

This year’s luncheon theme of “Rooted in the Community: Empowering the Collective” speaks directly to the mission of BWL, Inc., this bar year. After over two years in isolation we have focused our efforts on getting out and reengaging our communities to motivate, educate, and inspire. A very special congratulations to each of the amazing Luncheon Honorees. Each of you uniquely embodies BWL’s mission and goals and it is our privilege to highlight your achievements. Thank you for your impact in the legal profession and your surrounding communities.

Thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make this event possible. I would also like to thank the BWL Scholarship Fundraiser Chair, Crystal Hill, and the entire committee for their hard work to make this a successful event. Additional thanks are due to the BWL Scholarship Selection Committee for their efforts in selecting our deserving scholarship recipients. And, thank you to BWL Foundation President Alma Graham and the Foundation Board for your continued service.

I hope you all enjoy this afternoon of celebration and fellowship!

Jasmine S. Horton President, 2022-2023

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc.

Greetings from the Mayor’s Office

Brenda Shockley

Deputy Mayor of Economic Opportunity, City of Los Angeles

Brenda Shockley was appointed the Deputy Mayor of Economic Opportunity for the City of Los Angeles in July 2016. The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity is to eliminate and prevent homelessness and poverty, with compassion and inclusion, through education, training, and employment at a livable wage.

The following policy and programmatic areas are under Deputy Mayor Shockley’s purview: homelessness, economic and workforce development, reentry, housing and community development, veteran’s affair and Federal Promise Zone designation.

Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office, Deputy Mayor Shockley served as the President of Community Build for over 24 years. The mission of Community Build, which was incorporated in 1992 in response to the Los Angeles civil unrest, is to revitalize South Los Angeles through human investment and commercial and economic development.

During her tenure there, she oversaw the development of 16,000 square feet of commercial space in Leimert Park which serves as a center for the African American community, offering a coffee house, 99-seat theater, office space, and a park. Deputy Mayor Shockley’s work to revitalize communities in South L.A. has led to more than $100 million of investment in education, employment and training programs for young people.

Before joining Community Build, Deputy Mayor Shockley was a practicing attorney and the President of the Drew Economic Development Corporation.

31st of April, 2023

Dear Friends,

It is both a privilege and a pleasure for me to welcome all those attending the 47th Annual Scholarship and Awards Luncheon hosted by the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles.

I applaud the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and their tireless efforts and commitment to the development of African American attorneys and judges, awarding scholarships and providing pro bono legal assistance. As a proud new Member of the United States Congress, I hope to continue being a partner to the work that the Association is doing to uplift and empower Black women across the 37th Congressional District and beyond

Congratulations to this year’s prestigious honorees: Crystal D. Crawford, Amber Finch, Tabitha Brown and the Social Justice Learning Institute. Thank you for your outstanding leadership, hard work, and continued service to the community. Your efforts in advancing the rising tide of women’s voices is deserving of the utmost praise.

As you all come together for this occasion, I hope you can continue to draw new-found inspiration from one another I wish the Association a wonderful Scholarship and Awards Luncheon and continuous success in the coming year!

June 3 2023

It is my pleasure to greet all of you who are gathered to celebrate the 47th Annual Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Scholarship Fundraiser and Awards Luncheon and to recognize this year’s distinguished honorees.

This year’s honorees include:

Excellence in Advocacy Award – Crystal Crawford, Executive Director, Western Center on Law and Poverty

Excellence in Law Award – Amber Finch, Office Manager, Partner, Reed Smith LLP

Excellence in the Arts Award – Tabitha Brown, America’s Mom, Author, Entrepreneur, and Actress

Community Service Award – Social Justice Learning Institute

I offer my congratulations to all the honorees. They have exemplified the Black Women Lawyers Association’s goals and mission and significantly contributed to the legal profession and the larger community.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Sydney Kamlager-Dove Member of Congress, CA-37

Assemblymember Chris Holden 41st Assembly District

FOUNDING MEMBERS

BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS OF LOS ANGELES, INC. History

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc. is a non-profit corporation whose mission is dedicated to charitable, educational and community-based services. BWL was founded in 1975 after a small group of Los Angeles based African-American women judges and attorneys held a luncheon meeting to discuss the marked absence of an organization which addressed the needs and concerns of African-American women in the legal profession. The dialogue and events that followed became the genesis of BWL. Over the years, BWL branched out and grew through its various community projects and committee activities. The first BWL scholarship luncheon was held in 1975 at the Medallion Restaurant. Since then, BWL has raised scholarship funds annually for second and third year law students through its annual fundraising efforts by the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation.

In 1982, BWL and Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (“WLALA”) co-founded the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law (“Center”). The Center has evolved into one of the primary providers of pro bono family law services in Los Angeles County. In recognition of BWL’s significant community contributions as a founder and co-sponsor of the Center, the National Conference of Women Bar Associations presented its first annual Public Service Award to BWL and WLALA in July 1985.

In 1991, BWL was among the various ethnic minority bar associations that formed the Multicultural Bar Alliance. Through its continued involvement and support of this alliance, BWL offers a needed channel for communication for attorneys of color, both outside and within the African-American community. In 1992, the BWL Foundation was established to support and fund BWL’s numerous charitable, educational and community-based services. BWL also gives holiday food baskets to needy families, donations to shelters for the homeless and battered women, and strives to expand its outreach programs to schools.

The viability of BWL’s programs is dependent upon your support and commitment. Thank you for your interest and commitment to our organization.

Founding Conveners

Hon. Irma J. Brown

Hon. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke

Sandra L. Carter, Esq.

Linda Taylor Ferguson, Esq.*

Shirley A. Henderson, Esq.

Lola M. McAlpin-Grant, Esq.

Michél Washington McLaughlin, Esq.

Brenda Shockley, Esq.

Hon. Vaino H. Spencer*

Hon. Maxine F. Thomas*

*deceased

BLACK

WOMEN LAWYERS OF LOS ANGELES, INC.

PAST PRESIDENTS

Sandra L. Carter 1975–1976

Hon. Irma J. Brown (Ret.) 1976–1978

Shirley A. Henderson 1978–1979

Hon. Veronica S. McBeth 1979–1980

Katherine L. Vaughns 1980–1981

Hon. Beverly E. Mosley 1981–1982

Mablean Ephriam 1982–1983

Joan Whiteside Green 1983-1984

Diane Spencer Shaw

1984–1985

Hermia Shegog-Whitlock 1985–1986

Carla Durham Pittman 1986–1987

Hon. Glenda Veasey 1987 – 1988

Belinda D. Stith 1988–1989

Vera Brown-Curtis 1989–1990

E. Jean Gary 1990–1991

Hon. Brenda Johns Penny 1991–1992

Hon. Patricia J. Titus 1992–1993

Hon. Barbara R. Johnson (Ret.) 1993

Patricia Shade 1993–1994

Hon. Carol D. Codrington 1994–1995

Hon. Marguerite D. Downing 1995–1996

Patsy J. Cobb 1996–1997

Eulanda Lynn Matthews 1997–1998

Katessa Charles Davis 1998–1999

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing

by James Weldon Johnson

Lift ev’ry voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list’ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Audrea

Hon.

Tangela D. Terry

Sherri L. Cunningham

Samantha C. Grant

Camille Townsend Granville

Tami L. Warren

Shannon Y. Humphrey

Nicole H. Husband

Demetria Graves

Hon.

Rosezetta Upshaw

Hon. Michelle Kazadi

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast’ning rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we meet Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.

BWLF for 47 years of serving the community

Dolan Law Firm has provided quality legal representation throughout California for 30 years.

In order to deliver equal justice for all, the Dolan Law Firm is committed to advancing and nurturing a diverse, equal and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

The Dolan Law Firm DE&I Committee is proud to sponsor BWLF 47th annual Scholarship Fundraiser & Awards Luncheon.

For referrals:

Master of Ceremonies

Wren T. Brown Actor & Producer

Actor Wren T. Brown was born in Los Angeles, California to jazz trumpeter Troy Brown, Jr. and entrepreneur Rosalind Brown. Descended from three generations of performers, Brown graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles and attended Los Angeles City College and Antioch University Los Angeles.

In 1982, Brown’s first professional acting job was for McDonald’s inaugural Chicken McNuggets ad campaign. Brown made his television debut on an episode of Knight Rider; and, in 1987, he made his film debut in Robert Townsend’s Hollywood Shuffle. He had supporting roles in The Hidden, The Taking of Flight 847, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka!, Crossfire, and A Different World. He then had a leading role as Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest in 1992, followed by features in the films, The Second Coming and Heart and Souls in 1993. Two years later, he appeared in an episode of Seinfeld and in the films Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, The Net, and Waiting to Exhale. In 1996, he played the role of Pluckie in Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manugualt, and played a reoccurring role on the CBS sitcom, Bless This House.

He also became a series regular on the rebooted 1960’s series Flipper. Brown appeared in several popular sitcoms and dramas including: Murphy Brown, Touched by an Angel, Frasier, The West Wing, and Star Trek: Voyager. He made his debut as a feature film producer in 1999, with Boesman & Lena starring Danny Glover and Angela Bassett, followed by Dianne Reeves’ concert film of her Grammy Award winning album, In The Moment: Live in Concert. In 2003, he co-starred as Whoopi Goldberg’s brother and comic foil in her NBC sitcom, Whoopi. In 2005, he acted in David Mamet’s film Edmond. Other television credits include: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Everybody Hates Chris, Grey’s Anatomy (recurring), Being Mary Jane, Transparent, and The Orville.

Brown has appeared in numerous commercials and voice-over and spoken word projects including the Langston Hughes poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers on pianist Billy Childs’ Grammy Award-nominated album I’ve Known Rivers and narrated The History Channel’s U.S.S. Constellation: Battling For Freedom, The Learning Channel series Scence of the Crime, and the E! True Hollywood Story profile on Diana Ross, as well as voicing Virgil Simpson on The Simpsons. In 2017, Brown also narrated Laurence Fishburne’s Bronzeville podcast series.

In 2007, Brown directed the performances of thirty-five actors in Inspired By... The Bible Experience. In 2018, his theatre directing debut was made at Colorado’s Lone Tree Arts Center with August Wilson’s Fences.

In 2007, Brown founded Ebony Repertory Theatre, the first and only African American professional (Actors Equity) theatre company in Los Angeles, and serves as its producing artistic director. The Ebony Repertory Theatre has produced award winning productions including Two Trains Running, Crowns, A Raisin In the Sun, The Gospel at Colonus, and Five Guys Named Moe.

EXCELLENCE IS DIVERSITY

Diversity is essential to providing excellence to our clients. Investing in diversity and inclusion is more than smart business—it is who we are.

Perkins Coie is proud to support the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation, and we are honored to sponsor the 47th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser & Awards Luncheon.

BWL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP & AWARDS LUNCHEON 2023

PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION OF THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Crystal Hayes Fields

Luncheon Chair

WELCOME

Wren T. Brown Master of Ceremonies

GREETINGS

Alma Howard Graham

BWL Foundation, President

WELCOME & RECOGNITION OF DIGNITARIES

Jasmine Horton

BWL Inc., President

GREETINGS FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE

Brenda Shockley

Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SPONSORS

Crystal Hayes Fields

Luncheon Chair

“LIFT EV’RY VOICE AND SING” by James Weldon Johnson

Performed by Andrea Jones

INVOCATION

Beth Jones

BWL Foundation, Vice President

LUNCH IS SERVED SPECIAL PLEDGE DRIVE

PRESENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Britany M. Engelman-Hicks & Kathiana Aurelien

Scholarship Selection Co-Chairs

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

I’niah Clark

Southwestern Law School

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS (CONTINUED)

Delilah Hill

Loyola Law School

Joan Komolafe

UCLA School of Law

Justicce LaBarrie

Loyola Law School

Derrick Luster

UCLA School of Law

Kamilah Mims

UCLA School of Law

Evan Zepeda

UCLA School of Law

Sorrel Call Western State College of Law

PRESENTATION TO HONOREES

Presented by Wren T. Brown

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Social Justice Learning Institute

Nicole Steele, Health Equity Program Director

EXCELLENCE IN LAW AWARD

Amber Finch

Office Managing Partner, Reed Smith LLP

EXCELLENCE IN ADVOCACY AWARD

Crystal D. Crawford

Executive Director, Western Center on Law and Poverty

EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD

Tabitha Brown

Social Media Phenom, Author, Entrepreneur & Actress

CLOSING REMARKS

Alma Howard Graham

BWL Foundation, President

BENEDICTION

Hon. Syna Dennis

BWL Foundation, Board Member

Alexandria Ellison

PerkinsCoie.com/Diversity&Inclusion

Perkins Coie LLP Lawyer Advertising

UCLA School of Law

BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES FOUNDATION

2022-2023 OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Alma Howard Graham

VICE PRESIDENT

Beth Jones

TREASURER

Crystal D. Crawford

BOARD MEMBERS

Syna N. Dennis

Jacqueline Harding

Augustavia Haydel

Shardé T. Skahan

Sandra K. Williams

SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON CHAIR

Crystal Hayes Fields

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION CO-CHAIRS

Britany M. Engelman-Hicks

Kathiana Aurelien

BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES, INC.

2022-2023 OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Jasmine S. Horton

PRESIDENT ELECT

Ronnievashti Whitehead Otieno

VICE PRESIDENT

Shardé T. Skahan

TREASURER

Sherry Patterson

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Devon L. Hein

RECORDING SECRETARY

Mikiesha Mayers

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

Ashley D. Williams

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Lauren Collins

HISTORIAN

Holly M. Parker

NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Alisha C. Burgin

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Uche Anene

Heather Horn

2022-2023 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

BUDGET/FINANCE

Devon Hein

Sherry Patterson

COCKTAIL SIP

Holly M. Parker

Heather Horn

COMMUNITY ACTION

Latrice Hemphill

EDUCATION

Brenda Robinson

Sarah Clifton

HOLIDAY PARTY

Taisha Brown

HOSPITALITY

Hon. Marguerite Downing

Tatianna Metters

INSTALLATION

Shardé T. Skahan

Michelle Anderson

INTERNET AND PUBLICITY

Moorisha Bey-Taylor

JUDICIAL ENDORSEMENTS

Hon. Yvette D. Roland

LEGISLATION

Michele Anderson

PARENTS GROUP

Shakira Johnson

PRO BONO SERVICE

Sherry Patterson

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER

Crystal Hayes Fields

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION

Britany M. Engelman-Hicks

Kathiana Aurelien

YOUNG LAWYERS

Ashley Williams

Paige Poupart

HARRIET BUHAI CENTER LIAISON

Margot Bouchet

CALIFORNIA WOMEN LAWYERS LIAISON

Trina Saunders

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF BLACK LAWYERS LIAISON

Michelle Anderson

HONOREE EXCELLENCE IN ADVOCACY AWARD

Crystal D. Crawford Executive Director, Western Center on Law & Poverty

A seasoned leader in the legal, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, Crawford has played a pivotal role in advancing the health and economic security of low-income Californians, women of color and communities of color. In 2013, she was appointed to the five-member Los Angeles County Public Health Commission and currently serves as its Vice-Chairperson. As President & Executive Director of the Western Center on Law & Poverty (WCLP), she leads a trailblazing legal and advocacy organization and is honored to stand on the shoulders of her predecessors, including co-founder and past Executive Director Professor Derrick Bell. WCLP is a nationally recognized leader in fighting poverty which brings about systemic and structural change through litigation, legislative, policy and administrative advocacy at the local, state and federal level.

Before she was Western Center’s Executive Director, Crawford was a program director at The California Wellness Foundation, where she developed and led the organization’s groundbreaking Women’s Initiatives, a multi-million dollar program that amplified the voices of women of color and provided philanthropy and policymakers with a vision for how to advance the health and economic security of women of color. She also helmed Cal Wellness’ legacy portfolio, Increasing Diversity in the Health Professions, which has supported community-based organizations, academic institutions and countless people of color pursuing and sustaining health professions careers. Prior to leaving the foundation, she helmed the development of the Leading for Power and Change portfolio which was created to amplify the voices, leadership and power of people of color.

Prior to her work with Cal Wellness, Crawford was CEO of the California Black Women’s Health Project, the only statewide organization solely devoted to improving the health of California’s Black women and girls through policy, advocacy, education and outreach. She began her post-collegiate career as a public school teacher in Harlem. As a former board member of many national, state and local organizations (including the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy at Dartmouth and Funders Concerned About AIDS) and a current board member of the California Association of Nonprofits, California Budget and Policy Center, Health Access California, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, Grand Performances, the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation and other organizations, Crawford has further honed her advocacy, community engagement and management skills and expertise.

In 2009, Crawford was honored to receive the Advocates’ Award from WCLP in recognition of her community engagement, policy and advocacy work with the California Black Women’s Health Project. She has been a grateful recipient of numerous other awards over the years, including the 2012 PowerPAC Award from the Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee, the 2015 Outstanding Women of the City Club Award, and the 2023 Woman of Distinction Award from the NYU Law School’s Women of Color Collective. She is also grateful to recently have received a Trailblazer Award from two different organizations, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles and the California Black Women’s Collective.

Originally from Harlem, New York and Teaneck, New Jersey, Crawford earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Dartmouth College and law degree from the New York University School of Law, where she was an Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Fellow, Chairperson of the Black Allied Law Student Association and served on the editorial staff of the Journal of International Law & Politics. She is admitted to the bar in California, New York, and New Jersey.

THE CRAWFORD/DAVIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

FUND is proud to support the BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES FOUNDATION. Congratulations to TABITHA BROWN, CRYSTAL CRAWFORD, AMBER FINCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING INSTITUTE and the scholarship recipients on their well-deserved recognition.

We salute the honorees in the name of our beloved trailblazer

Vernita Evelyn Crawford

our angel who is rejoicing in heaven.

HONOREE EXCELLENCE IN LAW AWARD

Amber S. Finch Office Managing Partner, Reed Smith LLP

Amber Finch is a member of the firm’s Insurance Recovery Group and is Managing Partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. Since joining the firm in 2011, Amber has quickly become a go-to lawyer for creating effective risk management solutions. With her litigation background, she has helped her commercial policyholder clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance proceeds. Amber represents a litany of clients from start-up businesses to middle market and Fortune 500. She helps companies manage risk by negotiating broader insurance coverage on the front end, negotiating insurance and indemnity provisions in deal contracts, assisting with tender and collection on insurance and indemnity claims, and litigating insurance and indemnity disputes. Amber has significant experience in standard first party and third party insurance policies, as well as specialty policies, emerging industries and disruptive technologies. Most recently, Amber represents various companies in connection with business income interruption and property damage losses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and aviation businesses in connection with losses arising out of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Amber’s environmental experience includes the representation of land owners, tenants, and other operators of property on a variety of hazardous waste, water, air, and other environmental impact issues. Amber defends her clients in private cost recovery actions brought under CERCLA and RCRA. She also represents her clients in negotiating and complying with government consent decrees, Superfund litigation, and enforcement actions. Amber was lead counsel for a Fortune 500 company and its manufacturing subsidiary in a private cost recovery/CERCLA action involving underground storage tanks, soil and groundwater contamination at a long-term leased property. Amber’s representation was crucial in the identification of other potential responsible parties, and ultimately led to the reduction of exposure to liability for her client. Not only did Amber’s aggressive representation lead to a great settlement for the client, but with Amber’s insurance background, she was able to obtain insurance coverage for 98% of the settlement amount for her client.

For her pro bono work, Amber successfully petitioned the Ninth Circuit to vacate her legal permanent resident client’s immigration removal order. In its published opinion, the Ninth Circuit granted the petition in its entirety and vacated the detention order. Amber also volunteers at the Central District of California’s Federal Pro Se Clinic. In addition to her work at Reed Smith, Amber is a past president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to the advancement and development of women of color in the legal profession. She is currently a board member the University of Southern California Gould School of Law’s Board of Councilors. Amber previously served as a board member of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

During her professional career, Amber also served as an adjunct professor of Legal Writing, Research, and Advocacy for the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. In 2000, she was a judicial extern for the Hon. Barry T. Moskowitz, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of California.

We are proud to support the Black Women Lawyers Foundation and congratulate this year’s honorees including Amber Finch, Reed Smith Los Angeles Office Managing Partner! We also congratulate honorees Crystal Crawford, Tabitha Brown and The Social Justice Learning Institute and this year’s Scholarship Recipients.

HONOREE EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD

Tabitha Brown

Social Media Phenom, Author, Entrepreneur & Actress

Tabitha Brown satisfies the hunger of millions with her unique approach to veganism and her wholesome, comedic personality on the daily. As a home base for acquiring imparted wisdom, learning new recipes or enjoying a good laugh, she has earned the coined title of “America’s mom” with her 12 million plus followers.

A two-time New York Times Bestselling Author of her debut book “Feeding the Soul (Because It’s My Business!)” and vegan cookbook, “Cooking from the Spirit” published by HarperCollins, the North Carolina born actress, vegan lifestyle personality, mother and wife has taken various business ventures by storm.

She owns and operates her healthy haircare line Donna’s Recipe, continues to launch multi-category product lines as a partner with major retailer Target and never fails to light up everyone’s kitchens with her signature McCormick spice Sunshine Seasoning, available in retailers nationwide and direct to consumer.

She has landed notable theatrical features on major network shows in addition to co-creating and starring in her own children’s show with YouTube Originals, Tab Time, now a two-time Emmy nominated series and her vegan cooking competition show on Food Network, CompliPlated, the first of its kind.

Above all, Tabitha teaches us about having faith, perseverance, paving our own unique path to achieving dreams and being our authentic selves.

HONOREE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Founded in 2008, The Social Justice Learning institute (SJLI) is a nonprofit organization in Inglewood, CA dedicated to improving the education, health, and well-being of youth and communities of color by empowering individuals to enact social change through research, training, and community mobilization.

Through their theory of change, SJLI uses education as a tool to build and develop future leaders and works towards transforming neighborhood conditions by improving the built environment and increasing access to essential resources that enable residents to be healthy and thrive.

As an organization that values the ideas, voice, and leadership of their youth and community members, SJLI empowers residents to identify and challenge systems of injustice and advocate for policies that directly impact their lives.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Alexandria Ellison

UCLA School of Law

Alexandria Ellison is a UCLA Law School graduate.

She graduated magna cum laude from Emerson College. While in undergrad, Alexandria was the Commencement Student Speaker and delivered a TEDx Talk on the alarming rate at which black women disappear.

After college, Alexandria worked as a Video Production Fellow at BuzzFeed Motion Pictures. She also contributed as the Vice-Chair of Public Relations for Stonewall Democrats, a leading LGBTQ+ Democratic organization in California.

Alexandria interned for the UCLA Tribal Legal Development Clinic and worked as a judicial extern for the esteemed Judge Magistrate Elizabeth Stafford. Alexandria was a summer associate at Cox, Castle, and Nicholson, where she will also start as a firstyear associate.

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT Black Women Lawyers

Association of Los Angeles Foundation

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT Black Women Lawyers

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT Black Women Lawyers

CONGRATULATES THE HONOREES

Association of Los Angeles Foundation

Association of Los Angeles Foundation

CONGRATULATES THE HONOREES

TABITHA BROWN, CRYSTAL CRAWFORD, AMBER FINCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING INSTITUTE AND THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Congratulations to the Honorees

TABITHA BROWN, CRYSTAL CRAWFORD, AMBER FINCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING

INSTITUTE AND THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Tabitha Brown, Crystal Crawford, Amber Finch, Social Justice Learning Institute and the Scholarship Recipients for this well-deserved recognition.

Stay engaged with WCLP’s impactful work!

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Delilah Hill Loyala Law School

My name is Delilah Hill, and I am currently a third-year evening student attending Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, CA.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University. I am currently a Principal Accountant Supervisor, a CPA, and also an Army National Guard Veteran.

After law school, I plan on becoming In-House Counsel or working closely with Regulatory Agencies to help effect change at a state level.

My biggest passions include leadership, mentoring, and being an inspiration to anyone I can impact in a positive way, with a heavy emphasis on girls and women of color. In my spare time, I enjoy binge watching missed shows, making custom cakes, and naps when I can sneak one in.

and The Social Justice Learning Institute

At Jackson Lewis, we celebrate the power and potential of diversity in the legal profession and proudly support the mission of the BWLF at its 47th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser and Awards Luncheon.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Derrick Luster

UCLA School of Law

Derrick Luster is a Class of 2023 graduate from the UCLA School of Law, where he earned specializations in Public Interest Law & Policy and Critical Race Studies.

Derrick graduated from Elon University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, having minored in Sociology and African & African-American studies. At Elon, Derrick was recognized for his research as an Elon College Fellow, and for his leadership in public service as a 2019 Harry S. Truman Scholarship finalist. Derrick served in Student Government, and was selected as one of four students on the Elon Strategic Planning Committee to represent students’ interests in developing the 10year University strategic plan.

At UCLA, Derrick was a member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), the National Black Law Journal (NBLJ), and the Queer and Trans People of Color Collective (QTPOCC). During his 1L summer, Derrick clerked with the Equal Justice Society, where he prepared research and briefs for race-based impact litigation cases. During the spring semester of his 2L year, Derrick externed with the Center for Public Research & Leadership (CPRL) at Columbia University as a graduate consultant for an education organization supporting the needs of marginalized students in Houston, Texas.

Last summer, Derrick worked as a summer associate at Kaufman Lieb Lebowitz and Frick LLP, a complex civil litigation boutique in New York City, where he collaborated with attorneys to develop and execute strategies for cases ranging from disability discrimination in schools to police brutality. Derrick recently served as a Civil Rights Fellow at the Law Offices of Do Kim, APLC in Koreatown.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Evan Zepeda UCLA School of Law

Evan Zepeda is a rising third year student at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law where she is a scholar in the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy and the Critical Race Studies Program.

Evan is the Co-Academic Chair for the Black Law Students Association, Articles Editor for the UCLA Law Review, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the National Black Law Journal. Evan earned a bachelor’s degree in both Public Health Studies and Spanish from Johns Hopkins University. She then earned a Master of Public Health Degree from Columbia University with a certificate in Health Policy Analysis.

Prior to UCLA Law, Evan served as a Legislative Fellow with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Health Policy Advisor to Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly, and Policy Analyst at ChangeLab Solutions. Evan strives to continue to advocate for equity and be an agent of change by connecting law and policy to advance economic and racial justice.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

I’niah Clark Southwestern Law School

Originally from Fresno, California, I’niah Clark earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Norfolk State University while serving in the United States Navy.

Clark will obtain her law degree from Southwestern Law School in May 2023, where she was a Contracts I and II Teaching Assistant, Law and Social Change Research Assistant, Advocate in the Negotiation Honors Program, Deans Fellow, and served as Treasurer of the Women’s Law Association, and Executive Committee of the Overarching Reproductive Law Project (ORLP).

Clark is also active as a student member in community organizations such as the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) and The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA). Post-bar, she intends to practice as a business transactional attorney with a concentration in cannabis law.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Joan

Komolafe UCLA School of Law

Joan Komolafe is a rising third-year law student at UCLA School of Law interested in entertainment, public policy, and technology law. Born and raised on Long Island, NY, she later moved to New Orleans, LA, to study Business at Tulane University. she was a Tulane Black Student Union board member and interned at the New Orleans Public Defenders’ office.

After graduating from Tulane, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Northern Macedonia. During her service, she worked at an international NGO with the mission of providing access to legal aid for marginalized groups in the region.

During her 1L summer, Joan spent the first half of her summer as a Legal fellow at Yale Law School’s Jerome N. Frank Legal Services clinic to work with local clients on legal issues regarding federal tax compliance and IRS documentation. She spent the second half of her summer refining her understanding of corporate law through her internship with the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Southern California chapter.

Now she looks forward to continuing to work to enrich the UCLA law community with the work she started during her 2L year, where she served as a proud board member of both BLSA and the Entertainment Law Association, and she was appointed Chief Executive Editor of the UCLA Law Review. She is looking forward to her summer associate position with WilmerHale in their Los Angeles office this summer.

California Black Women's Health Project honors individuals who uplift our collective health, healing and well-being.

We proudly congratulate this year's honorees, the Social Justice Learning Institute, Amber Finch, Tabitha Brown and our former CEO, Crystal D. Crawford!

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Justicce LaBarrie Loyola Law School

Justicce LaBarrie is a recent graduate of Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, who has centered her studies around Intellectual Property Law. Her background in musical theater and dance taught her early on about the power of storytelling and its ability to transcend social divides. Moreover, it informed her decision to pursue a legal career representing talent.

As a former Black Law Students Association executive board member and Woman in Entertainment Law Society member, Justicce is highly passionate about community. After passing the California Bar Exam, she endeavors to work with creatives and innovators of color to increase the representation and economic empowerment of BIPOC communities in all facets of the entertainment industry.

Eager to get started, she spent her 2L summer with ARS IP Law Firm analyzing exploitative practices in traditional music agreements and learning the importance of copyright law for the music industry.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Kamilah Mims UCLA School of Law

Kamilah Mims is a rising fourth-year dual degree law and public policy student at the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley in 2018.

At the UCLA School of Law, Kamilah is a member of the Epstein Program for Public Interest Law and Policy and the Critical Race Studies program. She also is the Chief Diversity Editor for the UCLA Law Review and is Co-Editor-In-Chief of the UCLA National Black Law Journal. Last year, she served as an Academic Chair for the Black Law Students Association, supporting Black 1Ls in their transition to law school.

In 2022 Kamilah was selected for the American Association of Law Schools Pro Bono Honor Roll for her outstanding participation in pro bono activities at UCLA, and in 2023 she was selected for the Equal Justice Works Regional Public Interest Award for her deep commitment to public interest law. Outside of her studies, Kamilah has contributed to the drafting of legislation as a member of the Restorative Justice Legislation Work Group and is also Co-Chair of the Prison Accountability Project, which recently published a report on conditions in CDCR facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kamilah is also an active member of Moot Court Honors, where she hones her oral advocacy and legal research skills through simulated appellate court competitions. Kamilah hopes to create systemic change that promotes human dignity and advances the liberation of oppressed communities through public defense and thoughtful, equity-driven public policy.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Sorrel Call

Western State College of Law

Sorrel Call is a 3L at Western State College of Law. She is passionate in assuring that people are recognized for their humanity, and not systematically disadvantaged because of poverty, race, ethnicity, addiction, or lack of access to resources.

After passing the California Bar Exam, Sorrel plans to begin her legal career by working at the Public Defenders’ Office and has hopes of eventually starting her own nonprofit or shifting from litigation to legislation.

Sorrel started law school with one child and ended with three, having given birth a couple weeks after her 1L year, as well as a few weeks into her 3L year. Sorrel graduated third in her class, motivated by her desire to make this world a better place for her children.