Lincoln Alexander Law students elected to BLSA Canada Executive Board

Three Lincoln Alexander School of Law students have joined the Black Law Students' Association of Canada (BLSA Canada) Board for the upcoming 2024-2025 year. Hailing from Lincoln Alexander Law's Class of 2025, Jeremiah Bowers, Alexis Riley and Rebecca Mesay were recently elected/appointed at the 2024 Black Law Students’ Association of Canada’s national conference. 

Established in 1991, the Black Law Students' Association of Canada (BLSA Canada) is a national student-run organization that is committed to supporting and enhancing academic and professional opportunities for Black law students. These appointments mark the first time that three Lincoln Alexander Law students will concurrently serve on the BLSA Canada Executive Board.

Notably, Adjoa Osei-Yeboah (Class of 2025) was appointed the National Conference Chair during the 2023-2024 year, representing the very first time a Lincoln Alexander Law student was appointed to the BLSA Canada Executive Board.

Jeremiah Bowers will serve as National Chair, a position that will see him help guide the National Executive Board and its internal operations, and work closely with the National President to advance and lead the mission of BLSA Canada. His position will also give him the opportunity to champion initiatives that foster equitable opportunities and shape the experiences of Black law and pre-law students nation-wide.

“Black law students have the burden of both being an ‘exception’ in law schools and being exceptional in a profession where we are systemically underrepresented and underestimated,” said Jeremiah. “I’m grateful and privileged to benefit from the labour of the Black legal minds who preceded me and made my presence here possible. I’m excited to pay it forward and ensure Black law students have the access, support, and opportunities for success they deserve.”

Alexis Riley’s creative background and love for community make her excited to work on the BLSA Canada board as the new National Director of Communications, as it gives her an opportunity to engage with topics she is passionate about, while contributing to meaningful work that impacts the legal profession and increases equitable opportunities and amplifies the voices of Black law students across Canada. 

“Being elected to the national executive board is profoundly significant to me. It means I can directly shape the legacy of a great organization,” said Alexis. “Personally, it's a unique opportunity to immerse myself in my heritage and the trailblazing of Black legal professionals on a scale I have never experienced before.”

Rebecca Mesay’s work as the new National Director of Advocacy will see her spearheading advocacy, liaising with politicians, and driving strategic equity, diversity and inclusion measures through dialogue and collaborative engagements with governmental and external organizations. 

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meaningfully impact the experience of Black law students in Canada,” said Rebecca Mesay, the incoming Director of Advocacy. “Historically, the legal profession has not been inclusive of the Black community. I am eager to undertake the work of making law a place that defends and protects all members of the legal community.”

BLSA Canada and its chapters at law schools nationwide are concerned with challenges faced by the Black community as they relate to the legal system. The Association provides opportunities for formal and informal discussions about many subjects including legal policy issues, effective career strategies, evolutions in substantive law and access to justice for marginalized groups.