BLSA Hosts Alumni at Annual Banquet

Prof. Rich presents keynote, alumna and students honored

—By Lori Craig

The USC Black Law Student Association gathered with alumni and friends April 17 for the BLSA Annual Alumni Banquet.

Keynote speaker Prof. Camille Gear Rich

Held at the Davidson Conference Center, the evening featured a keynote speech by Professor Camille Gear Rich and the recognition of alumna Bobbi Tillmon '77 and several outstanding current students.

Professor Rich spoke to some of the issues raised by her research on interracial solidarity claims. Her project questions whether such claims will increase dialogue between whites, as well as between whites and communities of color, about what constitutes discrimination.

Tillmon, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, received the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award. Tillmon was one of the first black women in history to win a judicial seat in any L.A. countywide election and has consistently served the community through service projects with organizations including The Links, Inc.

The Hon. Bobbi  Tillmon '77

Third-year student Doreen Anthony, past BLSA president and recipient of this year's Mason C. Brown Award, was named Outstanding 3L by BLSA for her commitment to the public interest work, student groups such as BLSA and Street Law, and the local community.

BLSA recognized first-year students Sunita Bali, Chris Carter, Cherise LaTortue and Vallery Lomas, who received the Fulbright & Jaworski 1L Scholarships. LaTortue was also honored with the Crispus Attucks Wright ’88 BLSA/Public Interest Law Foundation grant to pursue public interest work this summer.

Photos by Kevin Sea. For access to a full gallery, where images may be purchased, please e-mail a request.