168th Commencement: Watch Live
Albany Law School and the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) are celebrating Black History Month with a series of events throughout February.
"We celebrate Black History Month to recognize the contributions African Americans have made to counter the invisibility of Black people, challenge negative stereotypes, and confront bias and prejudice," said BLSA President Georgia Sackey. "Learning Black history provides an opportunity to hear the voices and experiences of historically marginalized people. It is important for all students to take the time to remember Black history, not only this month, but always."
Black History Month events include:
All on-campus events are free and open to the public.
"We in the Black Law Students Association feel that these events showcase and represent Black culture. I think that these events will give everyone an opportunity to learn how rich Black culture really is," said Sackey.
Black History Month culminates with the annual James Campbell Matthews Banquet on Feb. 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Renaissance Albany Hotel. The banquet pays tribute to James Campbell Matthews, Class of 1870, the first African American law school graduate in New York State. As a young attorney, Matthews argued against the City of Albany's School Board and won, forcing the city to desegregate its public schools. He later became New York State's first African American judge.
Read more:
• James Campbell Matthews, Albany Law's—and New York's—First Black Law Graduate and Judge
