Thank you for trusting me to serve as your president.
I am proud to follow in the footsteps of past CABL presidents, from our first, Sandy Thomas, to our immediate past, Donna Walwyn, all of whom have made an indelible, positive mark on our organization and our profession.
Although CABL started in Toronto it has always held aspirations of establishing chapters across Canada to ensure that our organization addresses the particular needs of our members wherever they practise. Today we have chapters in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. During my presidency, I hope that CABL will continue to expand nationwide, including into our Francaphone communities.
CABL is a respected organization that smartly and carefully advocates before governments and legal organizations on issues that impact our profession, such as the Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees, and issues that affect the broader black community, such as carding. In February, CABL lobbied on Parliament Hill with other organizations for the Canadian government to acknowledge the UN's International Decade for People of African Descent. And in March, together with other members of the Roundtable of Diversity Associations (RODA), we participated in an initiative to increase diversity on corporate boards and in public appointments by featuring and promoting individual CABL members. CABL's role as a voice for change is one of our greatest strengths.
In addition to our focus on advocacy, during my presidency I want CABL to focus on three areas: supporting future generations of lawyers, leveraging technology to achieve our goals and raising funds.
Fewer talented black students are applying to law school. Rising tuition and greater competition for fewer opportunities are likely contributing to reduced applications and enrollment. We have little, if any, control over these factors. However, what we can and must do is encourage the children in our community to consider a career in law; welcome and support our current law students; aid our articling and, now, LPP students; and guide young lawyers to succeed in this competitive legal environment. We are already supporting our members through our mentorship program and our professional development events have not only increased but have also been tailored to our members' interests. We also hold several social events for our members, including our young lawyers, throughout the year, culminating in our Gala. But we can and will do more, in part with the aid of technology.
We can leverage technology to our advantage. Our newsletter and social media keep members up to date on our events and initiatives, but our website remains the backbone of our technology. We have heard your feedback on the website. I want you to know that we are working hard to improve it and expect to unveil our new website by summer 2017.
CABL is up to a lot of exciting things. I encourage you to get involved. Our organization needs the help of all its members to achieve its broad ambitions "to promote the welfare and interests of its members; identify and address the professional needs and goals of Black legal professionals and Black law students; promote academic and professional excellence; foster among Black lawyers and law students a greater awareness of and commitment to the needs of the Black community; procure increased access for Black students to law schools; provide positive role models for youth; give public recognition of the achievements and contributions of individuals and organizations within the community; and to work with other progressive persons and organizations toward the attainment of these objectives".
I look forward to serving as your president over the next two years.
Thanks,
A WORD FROM THE
PRESIDENT
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SHAWN RICHARD