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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - 2021 Survey Results

from June 2022 Tulsa Lawyer Magazine

from June 2022 Tulsa Lawyer Magazine, page 8

Tourney Review

Deborah A. Reed

The Oklahoma Bar Association recently requested input from its members about several things, including diversity, equity, and inclusion. This time last year, the Tulsa County Bar Association sent out a request for a similar survey focused almost entirely on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The TCBA survey shows we need to continue our efforts to diversify the membership. 198 people responded to the 2021 TCBA survey. This represented ____% of the membership. 82.32% of the respondents identified as White for race or ethnicity. For the same time period, the United States Census Bureau says the population of Oklahoma was 74% White.

As a result of the survey results, the TCBA Diversity Committee submitted an increased budget request for the current year. We increased our sponsorship level for the Annual Tulsa MLK Parade where TCBA members and staff marched to honor one of the greatest civil rights activists our country has ever known. In cooperation with the University of Tulsa School of Law, we held the Annual Diversity Panel and Networking Reception in early March 2022. This was TU Law’s first live event since the pre-covid era.

A new initiative the TCBA is implementing through its Diversity Committee is the Affinity Bar Reception. There are several Bar Associations operating in Tulsa County whose memberships are comprised almost entirely of lawyers with diverse backgrounds. In a program based on the Affinity Bar Partners program of the Boston Bar Association, the TCBA will invite members of diverse Bar Associations to a reception at the newly renovated Bar Center. TCBA members will have the opportunity to welcome area lawyers. Some will be old friends, but some may be entering the doors for the first time.

The remaining results of the 2021 TCBA survey are below. Thank you to all who participated.