A Lil Positivity: Black Lawyers Association Raises Nearly $400K At Annual Gala

Source: Courtesy of Jay Marist at dosojosmedia.com​ /Jay Marist at dosojosmedia.com​

The Metropolitan Black Bar Association Honored The Best & Brightest In Legal Profession

The Metropolitan Black Bar Association raised nearly $400,000 at its annual gala celebrating work of African-American lawyers and judges.

Hosted by NY1 anchor Cheryl Wills, the glittering evening May 17 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. The 35th annual gala highlights the contributions that African Americans made to the legal profession.

Six lawyers and jurists were honored, including Donald Prophete, a partner at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP. The corporate counsel of the year award went to Sheree Carter-Galvan, vice president and general counsel of the American Museum of Natural History, and jurist of the year was the Hon. Robert R. Reed of the New York State Supreme Court.

The private practitioner of the year was Amy Wollensack, a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, and the public servant of the year award went to U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and the presidential award was given to Sonya Olds Som, a partner at Heidrick & Struggles.

Source: Courtesy of Jay Marist at dosojosmedia.com​ / Jay Marist at dosojosmedia.com​

“We selected the theme ‘I Am A Solution’ for this year’s gala because we believe each of us has the ability to be a solution to a challenge affecting the legal industry, our justice system, and our communities,” association president Jason M. Clark said. “Each of this year’s honorees is a champion of diversity and inclusion, justice reform, and legal scholarship. We are excited to highlight their work and celebrate their achievements at this year’s gala.”

The event raised about $390,000 to benefit the association’s programs and services.

The association’s charity, “Friends of the MBBA,” later handed out scholarships of $2,500 to several students studying law.

Hit the flip for more pictures from the gala: