Black Law Students Association of Ohio Northern

Last year, BLSA hosted the BLSA Summit where current BLSA members had the pleasure of meeting, connecting, and networking with past ONU BLSA members.

During one conversation, the BLSA Alums informed us that there use to be a BLSA Library at the school. A space reserved for BLSA members to come and study for class and the bar. This space also included a variety of studying tools and resources exclusively for BLSA members. From that moment BLSA was dedicated on bringing the BLSA Library back to ONU!

With the help of BLSA Alums, we have now received study materials and resources we can use for class or bar prep to start the BLSA Library.

Special Thanks to:

Kimberly J. Bolton, JD ‘13
Shanique Crawford, JD ‘15
Marc S. Davis, JD ‘13
Ameerah McBride, JD ‘13
Hope Smalls, JD ‘13.

Thank you! Not only for the donations but for the continuous support you all have provided BLSA throughout these years. An organization is only as strong as it’s members and support system, and we are lucky to have both! We can never thank you all enough for believing in each member, pouring inspiration into our bodies, and being someone we can call on for anything.

WE DID IT! The Black Law Students Association won Law Student Organization of the Year!

BLSA has achieved so much this year and it is such an awarding feeling to receive this acknowledgment.

Each event BLSA hosted this semester broadcasted not only the love BLSA members have for the organization but also the hard work and dedication they put in to make BLSA stronger, better, and memorable.

THANK YOU BLSA members for your commitment on making this happen for US!

THANK YOU BLSA’s support team for the love, support, and donations throughout the year!

THANK YOU ONU Law for recognizing such a deserving organization with this distinguished award.

Thank you Lima Senior High School for this opportunity to give back to the students! We look forward to working with you all in the future!

As apart of BLSA’s Operation Giveback Donation Drive, we had the opportunity to gather donations for Lima High School!

We donated paper, folders, pens/pencils, toiletries, etc. to the school’s resource room. The resource room at Lima High School provides students with supplies or toiletries they may need while at school. We were all in high school before and know the importance of a resource room so we are very grateful to be able to give back and have the chance to work with Lima High School.

Thank you so much Principal Turner for allowing BLSA give back to the future leaders (hopefully lawyers) of the world!

As apart of BLSA’s Operation Giveback Donation Drive, we were fortunate enough to gather donations for the Greater Christ Temple’s Nursery!

We donated diapers, wipes, bottles, coloring books, clothes, hygiene products, etc. to the nursery at Greater Christ Temple Church. This nursery serves as a resource for parents in the Lima community. We admire the support this church continues to pour into the community and we are ecstatic to have had the chance to work with and raise donations for the Greater Christ Temple Church.

Thank you so much First Lady Copper (first picture) and Ms. Rashonda (second picture) for allowing BLSA to be apart of this community outreach!

Earlier this semester BLSA held a donation drive to give back to the community and local organizations, including the Pink Diamond Girls Club led by Amber Basares. The donations gathered will be included in swag bags participants will receive during the Ninja Warrior Event hosted by Amber this summer!

Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause! Without you all, none of this would have been possible. BLSA strives to make an impact both inside and outside the law school, so we take advantage of any opportunity to give back to the community. Thank you Pink Diamonds Girls Club for investing in the futures of young girls and providing them with limitless opportunities!

Today BLSA members Camilla Leonard, Aleeia Smith, and Kandis Coleman were awarded with the Women in Leadership Award at ONU’s Annual Women in Leadership event!

At this event, distinguished female alumnae are invited back to campus to share their career and personal experiences and offer students insight into the empowerment of their successes. On this panel included our very own BLSA Alum Shaniqua Crawford!

Dean Rose and various professors selected Camilla, Aleeia, and Kandis as women leaders representing Leadership at the College of Law!

Your hard work does not go unnoticed!

Congratulations Camilla, Aleeia, and Kandis!

It is important to know what is going on around us, so for today’s BLSA meeting we had Lima community activists come and speak with us about current legal cases, social events, and community service events that are happening in Lima. Thank you to Amber Ambares (pictured in the orange shirt) for leading this group to keep everyone informed on what’s going on in the community!

Amber Ambares also leads the Pink Diamond Girls Club in Lima, Ohio. We recently conducted a donation drive to give back to the girls in this group! Thank you for providing us with that opportunity. We hope that we can continue to work together in the future!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 29!!

Up Next: KlinTisha D. Martin ✨

She is an ONU Grad and BLSA Alum!

KlinTisha D. Martin, formerly known as KT, is a distinguished alumna of ONU Law, graduating Cum Laude in 2022. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, KT completed her secondary education at McEachern High School before embarking on her academic journey at Shaw University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science while excelling on the basketball court.

KT’s pursuit of legal education commenced with the Summer Starter Program at Ohio Northern’s College of Law in 2019. During her tenure at ONU Law, she founded the Civil Rights Law Journal and actively engaged in various student organizations such as the Student Bar Association , Phi Alpha Delta, and Moot Court, all while serving as a law ambassador and peer mentor.

Following her graduation from ONU, KT embarked on a prestigious Federal Judicial Clerkship with fellow alumna Judge Jessica E. Price Smith in the Northern District of Ohio’s Bankruptcy Court.

Beyond her legal endeavors, Ms. Martin finds fulfillment in nurturing her two sons, exploring the world through travel, and dedicating her free time to coaching girls’ varsity basketball at a local high school in Georgia.

This is Black Excellence!

Thank you KT for being the voice of reason and an advocate for BLSA!

Also, special shout-out to KT because today is her birthday! Happy Birthday KT! 🎈

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 28!

Up Next: Madam President Camilla Leonard 💫

She is a student at ONU Law and the current BLSA President !

Camilla Leonard is an immigrant, born and raised in Guyana, South America. She moved to the United States at age of 17. She had her share of struggles but persevered through it all, becoming a first generation college graduate of Siena College with a BA in Sociology, Minor in History and Pre-Law. She served as an AmeriCorps Vista Member for approximately two years, working as a project coordinator at Fordham Law School’s Feerick Justice for Social Justice.

After her service ended as an AmeriCorps Vista Member, she worked for New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (NYS OPWDD), where she served as a Direct Support Assistant, aiding and supporting people with disabilities.

Camilla is currently a 2-L at Ohio Northern University Claude Pettit College of Law. She serves as the President of BLSA, Editor and Writer for the International Law Journal, Moot Court Advocate, Student Representative for Themis Bar Review, and a Research Assistant for International Law.

In her down time, Camilla enjoys cooking Guyanese food (roti and curry, cook-up rice), attending church, watching Netflix shows like “Love is Blind,” spending time with her family and traveling the world.

This is Black Excellence!

Camilla, thank you so much for leading BLSA. We look to you for guidance, and you always deliver. You make it your mission to improve BLSA every single day and we appreciate you. Your love for BLSA shines through with every sacrifice and decision you’ve made. Madam President, thank you!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 27!

Up Next: Aleeia Smith 💫

She is a Law Student at ONU and a BLSA Member!

Aleeia is from Atlanta, Georgia and is currently a 2L.

She attended the University of West Georgia where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in criminology. Before starting law school, Aleeia worked as a Paralegal at an Estate Planning and Probate Law Firm in East Point, Georgia.

Aside from earning her J.D., Aleeia enjoys being involved on campus. Including Black Law Students Association (Social Media Chair), Law Review (Staff Editor), Mock Trial (Advocate), Barbri Representative, Student Bar Association (Past 1L Rep), and Civil Rights Law Journal (Past Editor).

Aleeia plans to practice criminal law after graduating and passing the bar.

In her free time Aleeia likes to record episodes for her Podcast and play volleyball!

When asked what she loved about ONU Law she responded: “At ONU you are seen, you are heard, and you are important.”

This is Black Excellence!

Aleeia, thank you for your continuing support and contributions to BLSA!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 26!!

Up Next: Jeremy Pratt Jr. ✨

He is a double-bear and BLSA Alum!!

Jeremy was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating from Waite High School, he became a first-generation college student at Ohio Northern University.

While at ONU Jeremy was a member of the football team, President of Alpha Phi Omega, & Vice President of Mortar Board. Just weeks after obtaining his B.A. in criminal justice he began the Summer Starter Program at Ohio Northern’s College of Law.

While at ONU Law he was an award-winning member of the moot court trial team and a law ambassador. After graduating from ONU he accepted a job with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as a workers compensation assistant attorney general. After that, Jeremy returned to Toledo to focus on criminal defense at Toledo Legal Aid. There he hopes to be the voice for those silenced by the criminal justice system.

In his free time, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering in the community, playing PlayStation, & watching true crime shows. 

This is Black Excellence!

Special shout out to Jeremy, today is his birthday!! Happy Birthday Jeremy!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 25!!

Up Next: Neil deGrasse Tyson 🧬

One of today’s popularizers of science, Neil deGrasse Tyson is a science communicator and known American astrophysicist. Currently, he is the Hayden Planetarium’s Frederick P. Rose director at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. He is also one of the research associates of the American Museum of Natural History’s department of astrophysics.

As a popularizer of science, he has appeared in television shows such as “NOVA ScienceNow” which was aired on PBS from 2006-2011.

He is involved in fields such as physical cosmology, astrophysics, and science communication.

Being a popularizer of science, Tyson has made several appearances on television. He hosted PBS’s four part mini-series “Nova” in 2004. Along with Donald Goldsmith, Tyson co-authored other episodes for “Nova” called “Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution” and “400 Years of the Telescope”. Tyson also hosted NOVA ScienceNow, the PBS program until 2011.

He remains to be an advocate the National Aeronautics and Space (NASA), and hopes for the expansion of their operations.

This is Black Excellence!!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 24!

Up Next: Magistrate Kimberly J. Bolton

She is an ONU Law Grad and BLSA Alum!

Magistrate Kimberly J. Bolton was appointed and sworn in as Magistrate in the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court on April 2, 2018. She performs a variety of judicial functions on behalf of the Court’s Judge. She typically hears cases such as small claims, bench trials, post-judgment executions, traffic and pre-trials for both civil and criminal cases.

Before joining the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court, she owned her own private criminal and civil law practice. She served as an Assistance Law Director for the City of Cleveland Heights. Magistrate Bolton is admitted to practice law in both the Ohio Supreme Court and the Northern District of Ohio.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Hiram College and her Juris Doctor degree from Ohio Northern University, Claude W. Pettit College of Law, Class of 2013. While at ONU she served as BLSA secretary and SBA representative.

Outside the courtroom, Kim spends her time traveling, and exploring new places but mostly you can find her near the ocean.

This is Black Excellence!!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 23!

Up Next: Adrianna Braden-Udinwe 💫

Adrianna is an ONU Grad and BLSA Alum!

She graduated with her J.D. and LL.M. from ONU Law in 2015. While at ONU, she served on the Executive Board of BLSA and as Class Representative of OSBA. She has been actively practicing law since 2016. Adrianna earned her Master’s in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University in 2019.

She has held various roles in public service including serving as Attorney Advisor for the Social Security Administration, and as Staff Counsel for Columbus City Schools, one of the largest school districts in Ohio. Adrianna currently works as Associate General Counsel for Equitas Health, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS-serving organizations. Adrianna was also appointed by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther to serve on the Board of License Appeals for the City of Columbus Department of Public Safety in 2021.

Adrianna enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters traveling the world, catching shows on Broadway, spending time in her garden, and training for 5K races.

This is Black Excellence!

Today BLSA got a chance to talk with ONU Alums Ameerah McBride and Jessica Price-Smith. This BLSA 101 talk was very insightful and allowed the BLSA members to discuss internships, externships, summer employment, and life after law school with Ameerah and Jessica.

Thank you both for the advice, motivation, and outpouring support that was shared with us today.

Until next time!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 22!

Up Next: Brittany Jones 🌟

As an Atlanta, Georgia native, Brittany Jones obtained her bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and her Juris Doctor degree from Ohio Northern University. While at ONU Law, Brittany was involved in the school’s Legal Clinic, Legal Exchange Program, and American Business Women’s Association.

Also while at ONU Law, Brittany obtained the following awards: Outstanding Clinical Student Award, Cali Excellence for the Future Award, Recipient/Book Award: Property, Corporate Transactional Clinic, Civil Practice, and
Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation.

She has been practicing law since 2018 and currently hold admissions in the Superior Court of Georgia, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Georgia.

She looks forward to helping her clients get to the closing table! To date, she has closed over 3,000 real estate transactions and have a team of dedicated partners ready to assist get client’s real estate needs. Additionally, she serves as Of Counsel to The Hawes Law Firm!

In her free time, Brittany likes to travel, do yoga, go to art exhibits, and hang out with her friends and family!

This is Black is Excellence!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Day 21!

Up Next: Gabby Douglas 🤸🏾‍♀️

Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas is an artistic gymnast who became the first African American and woman of color in Olympic history to become the all-around individual champion during the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Douglas was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia to parents Timothy Douglas and Natalie Hawkins on December 31, 1995. 

Home-schooled due to her intensive training, Douglas began gymnastics at the age of six when her older sister, Arielle, suggested classes to their mother. She was enrolled at Excalibur Gymnastics in Virginia Beach two years later and won the Level 4 all-around gymnastics title at the 2004 Virginia Gymnastics Championships and numerous other regional championships since.

In March 2012 she shared team gold with the U.S. team at the Pacific Rim Championships, winning gold in uneven bars, and in June won gold at uneven bars again, bronze on the floor,  and silver all-around at the 2012 U.S. National Championships. She secured a spot on the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team at the Summer Olympics, where the U.S. team won gold and she won the gold medal for the individual all-around, becoming the first woman of color to do so.

Douglas is still participating in gymnastics, and recently published an autobiography.

This is Black Excellence!