Celebration of Black Alumni

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In September 2025, we were thrilled to welcome back over 750 alumni and friends back to campus for the fifth Celebration of Black Alumni (CBA). This powerful weekend brought together graduates spanning generations, legal specialties, and career paths to reconnect with classmates, forge new bonds, and reflect on shared experiences that continue to shape both their lives and the profession. This self-funded event, driven by dedicated volunteers, served as a reminder of the strength of our alumni community as well as its lasting contributions to the law.

CBA 2025 Co-Chairs

  • Cari K. Dawson

    Cari Dawson ’93
  • Burt M. Fealing

    Burt M. Fealing ’95
  • Dale LeFebvre

    Dale LeFebvre ’98
  • Deirdre Stanley

    Deirdre Stanley ’89
  • Timothy A. Wilkins

    Timothy A. Wilkins ’93
  • Melvin Williams, Jr.

    Melvin Williams, Jr. ’89

Honorary Committee

  • President of a community without borders

    Salvo Arena ’00
  • Lindsay Breedlove

    Lindsay Breedlove ’09
  • Yvonne Campos

    Yvonne E. Campos ’88
  • Daniel Eaton

    Daniel E. Eaton ’89
  • Peter Krause

    Peter C. Krause ’74
  • Chris Mann

    Christopher L. Mann ’89
  • Barry B. White.

    Barry B. White ’67

Event Photos

We captured many of the weekend’s most joyous moments and compiled them in a photo album below.

View Event Photos
Celebration of Black Alumni Group Photo
Celebration of Black Alumni Group Photo

CBA Speakers and Committee Leads

CBA featured an energizing mix of intellectual programming and social connection. Alumni explored topics ranging from equity and access in the legal profession to leadership and innovation, taking on pressing issues at the intersection of law and society in the 21st century. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from distinguished speakers including Ketanji Brown Jackson ’96, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Bryan Stevenson ’85, Founder and Director, Equal Justice Initiative.

The weekend was rounded out with social gatherings and celebratory meals, offering alumni the chance to strengthen their connections and reflect on their common bonds.

View Full Program
CBA Speakers and Committee Leads
A group of HLS alumni standing under an arch of gold balloons that spell out

CBA Sponsors

We would like to thank our Celebration of Black Alumni sponsors for their generous support:

Champions ($100,000+)

  • Kenneth I. Chenault ’76 and Kathryn Cassell Chenault
  • Cari Katrice Dawson ’93
  • Kenneth C. Frazier ’78 and Andréa W. Frazier
  • Dale LeFebvre ’98
  • Adebayo O. Ogunlesi ’79 and Amelia Ogunlesi
  • In Memory of Professor Charles J. Ogletree, Jr. ’78

Patrons ($50,000 – $74,999)

  • Tony Chase ’80
  • Burt M. Fealing ’95
  • Roger W. Ferguson, Jr. ’79
  • Ronald Machen ’94
  • Chaka Patterson ’94
  • Deirdre Stanley ’89

Contributors ($25,000 – $49,999)

  • Cooley LLP
  • Sandra D. Grannum ’86
  • Christopher P. Reynolds ’86 and Dr. Arlene J. Ford ’87
  • Raymond J. McGuire, JD/MBA ’84
  • Richard Taylor ’77 and Kathy Taylor, Boston Real Estate Inclusion Fund
  • Melvin F. Williams, Jr. ’89

Supporters ($15,000 – $24,999)

  • Cummins, Inc.
  • Judge Eric V. Moye ’79

Friends ($10,000 – $14,999)

  • Catherine J. Dargan ’94
  • Joel W. Motley ’78
  • Andre E. Owens ’88
  • Theodore V. Wells, Jr. ’76
  • Tim Wilkins ’93
  • Andrea L. Zopp ’81