By Michaella Saint-Juste, Director of Programming – Black Law Student Association
Black History Month offers an opportunity to reflect not only on history, but on the labor that made our present possible. Many of the changes that shape our experience as Black law students today were the result of deliberate, sustained efforts by those who came before us. Because of that work, some of the most meaningful progress we benefit from feels almost invisible.
One such example is the University’s decision to change its name, a process that involved the work of the Anti-Racism Task Force and sustained student and community advocacy. By the time many of us arrived at Richmond Law, this change had already taken place. For us, it was not something we had to fight for or even question, but that is precisely the point. The work was done so thoroughly that it no longer needed to be explained. That is the mark of meaningful progress.
We also owe much to the continued dedication of the Hill-Tucker Bar Association and our alumni. They have made it their mission to reach back, speak honestly with current students, and provide guidance that many first-generation law students do not otherwise receive. From demystifying the law school experience to preparing students for professional spaces, these efforts have helped us build relationships that do not end at graduation. Being part of BLSA does not stop after three years, and the strength of our network has allowed our community to extend well beyond Richmond.
That strength has proven especially important in the current climate. In the face of growing opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, our community has remained resilient. This is not because we are insulated from these challenges, but because we are supported by alumni with diverse professional backgrounds who remind us that our merit speaks for itself. We do not seek exception or exclusion; what matters is the opportunity to be considered on equal footing. Our work, our preparation, and our accomplishments stand alongside those of our peers.
This reality shapes BLSA’s focus this year. Our work is inward-facing. Our goal is to ensure that incoming students feel grounded, supported, and confident, not only within our law school, but in every space they enter beyond it. We want students to leave Richmond Law knowing that they belong wherever they go, equipped with community, preparation, and a sense of self that does not waver.
As we observe Black History Month, we do so with gratitude for the generations who carried the heavier burden and with responsibility to preserve what they built. The work continues, but it looks different now. Our frontier is belonging, opportunity, and ensuring that the next generation inherits a space that feels just as secure as the one we were fortunate enough to receive.
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For Black History Month, the Muse Law Library invited the Black Law Student Association to write a guest blog for the library. I would like to thank Michaella Saint-Juste for her wonderful contribution, not only to this blog, but to enriching the lives of her fellow students as a board member of BLSA. Thank you Michaella! – Mads Ball, Student Services Librarian