The 2026-2027 academic year has kicked off to a strong start. This year presents both challenges and opportunities. Among the macro-challenges are a smaller-than-anticipated Class of 2029 and the continued need to cultivate law firm sponsorships amid a challenging political and institutional environment surrounding affinity groups. At the same time, we see tremendous opportunities ahead, including HBLSA’s 60th anniversary in 2027, a large class of Black LL.M. students, a highly engaged and right-sized leadership team, and a full-throttle slate of programming for the year ahead. We also see an untapped opportunity to engage our alumni in new and meaningful ways.
Within our HBLSA community, we have already accomplished fall programming highlights such as our annual Martha’s Vineyard Fall Retreat and just this weekend, our welcome back mixer hosted at Professor Ronald Sullivan’s home just as Professor Ogletree did years before him. On the horizon, we have our annual Black Faculty Dinner, Harvard-Yale Weekend Experience, and the launch of HBLSA’s 1L Mentorship Program.
Beyond Harvard Law School, we are building and strengthening relationships with organizations including the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, Harvard Black Pre-Law Association, the African American Student Union at Harvard Business School, the Northeast Black Law Students Association (NEBLSA), and many others.
As we kick off the fall semester and continue developing our alumni database to keep us connected across generations, we need your help. Please share our alumni survey sign-up with them. Every connection helps us strengthen our community and ensure that HBLSA remains connected across generations.