Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

Faculty Advisor: Neil Williams

The Loyola chapter of the National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) seeks to increase the number of culturally responsive Black attorneys who succeed academically and professionally, and who positively impact their communities. Loyola's chapter supports the recruitment and success of Black students at Loyola, by sponsoring events focused on professional development, networking, and academic success throughout the Loyola community.

In a rapidly changing legal landscape, Loyola’s BLSA chapter remains committed to advancing the experiences of Black students, the broader community, and Black legal professionals.

BLSA also proudly supports the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court and Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial competition teams, which compete in national competitions hosted annually by the National Black Law Student Association to train and develop advocacy members amongst our members.

BLSA’s annual Race and the Law Symposium brings together distinguished scholars and practitioners to discuss issues regarding race within the legal system.

Each year, BLSA hosts an annual brunch at which the Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Service Award is presented to an African American alumnus/a of Loyola. The award is named after Donald L. Hollowell, a 1951 alumnus of Loyola, who distinguished himself as one of the leading lawyers of the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Hollowell passed away at the end of 2004.

Beyond the law school, BLSA maintains relationships and is supported by professional bar associations serving the Black legal community, including The Black Women’s Lawyer Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), The Cook County Bar Association (CCBA), and the Black Men Lawyers Association (BMLA). These relationships, coupled with an active network of Loyola BLSA alumni, give current members a strong professional network throughout the Chicago legal community.

For more information on the NBLSA or Loyola's chapter, please email us at blsaloyolalaw@luc.edu.

2026-2027 Executive Board

President: Onna Geddie (ogeddie@luc.edu)
Vice President: Naviah Barrow (nbarrow@luc.edu)
Treasurer: Esther Egunyomi (eegunyomi@luc.edu)
Secretary: Bianca Brown (bbrown24@luc.edu)
Social Chair: Charlye Jackson (cjackson23@luc.edu)

The 2026-2027 Executive Board