Diversity Programming 2021-2022

Dates Programming
August 30 - September 3, 2021 Pre-Orientation Program: Five day initiative designed to strengthen the academic, professional, and interpersonal skills of incoming 1L students. Program curricula and competencies are delivered in modules and are completed by professional development and social activities.
September 10, 2021

Hearing One Another Workshop: Provides an opportunity for students to better appreciate the richness of one another’s identities and start developing conversation habits that can promote more meaningful interactions and a stronger sense of belonging.

September 14, 2021 Inclusive Leadership Workshop: Students participated in a session facilitated by Michelle Silverthorn, Founder and CEO of Inclusion Nation on the topics of lawyers as leaders, why diversity matters, and diversity & implicit bias in the academic and legal profession.
September 20, 2021 Interdisciplinary Series on Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality - Perspectives Across the Midway with Jane Dailey: Associate Professor of History, Jane Dailey presented her work in a conversation with Aziz Huq, Frank and Bernice J. Greenberg Professor of Law. This event series draws on the rich intellectual life of the broader university to bring law students a sense of how questions of race, ethnicity, and inequality are understood and evaluated using other disciplinary tools.
October 4 & 20, 2021 Engage to Change - Journal Diversity Training: This two-part training was hosted for the Law School Journal boards and incoming staffers. Through presentations, scenarios and discussions the participants addressed anti-racism and anti-bias topics, and the impact these topics have on their work within the journals. 
October 13, 2021

Library D&I Reading Group: Discussion with Professor Aziz Huq about his article  “The Double Movement of National Origin Discrimination,” . 

   
October 18, 2021 Interdisciplinary Series on Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality - Perspectives Across the Midway with James Westfall: James Westfall Thompson Professor Emeritus of American and African American History and the College, Thomas C. Holt presented his work in a conversation with Richard McAdams, Bernard D. Meltzer Professor of Law. This event series draws on the rich intellectual life of the broader university to bring law students a sense of how questions of race, ethnicity, and inequality are understood and evaluated using other disciplinary tools.
November 4, 2021 2021-2022 Affinity Mentoring Program Virtual Kickoff Reception: APALSA, BLSA, LLSA, Outlaw, and Women's Mentoring Programs invited 1Ls and Chicago-area alumni participants of the 2021-2022 Affinity Mentoring Program to meet for an informal Zoom gathering. 
November 4, 2021 Global Diversity Wine Mess: Opportunity to celebrate and showcase the diversity of the Law School students, faculty and staff during a cherished UChicago Law tradition: Global Diversity Wine Mess!
November 8, 2021 Affinity Group Journal Panel: The Law School’s four academic journals hosted a lunch panel for 1L members of affinity groups regarding the experience and benefits of joining an academic journal.
November 10, 2021 

Understanding 1L Law Firm Diversity Opportunities: A discussion lead by the UChicago Law Office of Career Services. 

November 15, 2021 Interdisciplinary Series on Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality - Perspectives Across the Midway with Eman Abdelhadi: Assistant Professor in Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago, Eman Abdelhadi presented his work in a conversation with Emily Buss, Mark and Barbara Fried Professor of Law. This event series draws on the rich intellectual life of the broader university to bring law students a sense of how questions of race, ethnicity, and inequality are understood and evaluated using other disciplinary tools.

January 7 & 19, 2022

Bridges - The First-Person Writing Project Information Sessions: Student-led initiative intended to give selected students an opportunity to reflect on their unique 1L experiences with depth and nuance—and share those insights with the wider community and prospective students. Supported by the Office of the Dean of Students and the Communications Office, students will take part in an intimate roundtable series with like-minded peers where they will share their stories, develop a creative writing skillset, and produce narratives. 
January 26, 2022 Diversity Month Coffee Mess: Coffee Mess hosted by José Luis Rodríguez, Associate Director of Student Affairs & Diversity and Inclusion.
January 26, 2022 Diversity Scholars Series - Maggie Hickey and Chicago's Consent Decree: The Diversity Scholar Speaker Series brings together members of our law school community to discuss topics varying in subject that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with invited guests.
February 4, 2022 Library D&I Reading Group: Discussion with Professor Farah Peterson about her article "On Our Knees" in American Scholar. 
February 7, 2022 Interdisciplinary Series on Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality - Perspectives Across the Midway with Adom Getachew: Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Political Science at the College, Adom Getachew presented her work in a conversation with Tom Ginsburg, Leo Spitz Professor of International Law, Ludwig and Hilde Wolf Research Scholar, and Professor of Political Science. This event series draws on the rich intellectual life of the broader university to bring law students a sense of how questions of race, ethnicity, and inequality are understood and evaluated using other disciplinary tools.
February 17, 2022 Black History Month Wine Mess: In honor of Black History Month, BLSA hosted a Wine Mess that featured a special tasting from black-owned wine companies to encourage students to explore and support black-owned businesses. 
March 28, 2022 Diversity Scholars Series - Michael R. Bromwich - Baltimore’s Gun Trace Task Force: A Case Study in Police Corruption: The Diversity Scholar Speaker Series brings together members of our law school community to discuss topics varying in subject that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with invited guests.
March 31, 2022 Diversity Scholars Series - Phyllis Frye - A Conversation of the Fight for Transgender Rights: The Diversity Scholar Speaker Series brings together members of our law school community to discuss topics varying in subject that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with invited guests.

March 31, 2022

The Impact Initiative Community Reception: This signature reception gives the law school community the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing work of local community leaders. It is also an opportunity to forge connections between the law school and the South Side at large.

April 1, 2022 Women's Mentoring Program Affinity Dinner: The Women's Mentoring Program facilitates mentoring relationships by pairing first year law students who identify as female with alumnae mentors in the Chicago area. This affinity dinner occurs three more times throughout the month of April. 
April 6, 2022  Diversity Coffee Mess: Coffee Mess featuring Diversity & Inclusion partnering offices within the UChicago community. 
April 6, 2022  Latinx Law Students Association Affinity Dinner: The Latinx Law Students Association aims to create an academic and social support network to help students adjust to the rigors of law school.
April 7 & 14, 2022 Black Law Student Association Affinity Dinner: The University of Chicago Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is part of a national student organization which includes over 190 member chapters. The local chapter provides formal and informal academic, professional, political and social support to African-American law students.
April 19, 2022 The Muslim Law Students Association Presents - Ramadan Iftar Event: The Muslim Law Students Association hosts their annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner! The entire Law School community is invited for an evening of food, conversation, and celebration.
April 21, 2022 Diversity Scholars Series - Grace Pai - A Conversation on anti-Asian racism in the US, and Current Efforts on Litigation, Policy, and Advocacy: The Diversity Scholar Speaker Series brings together members of our law school community to discuss topics varying in subject that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with invited guests.
April 21, 2022 Passover Wine Mess: In honor of Passover, Kosher food and beverages were featured to celebrate this Jewish holiday with the Law School community. 
April 21, 2022 Pre-Orientation Mixer: This event brought together and celebrated faculty, staff and students that took part in the Pre-Orientation program within the last three years.
April 27, 2022 Library D&I Reading Group: A conversation led by Professor William Hubbard on how civil and criminal procedure entrench racism and classism. 
April 28, 2022 Diversity Scholars Series - Michelle Mbekeani - From Slave Market to the Stock Market: The Diversity Scholar Speaker Series brings together members of our law school community to discuss topics varying in subject that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with invited guests.
April 28, 2022 OutLaw's 35th Anniversary Celebration: Celebration of the 35th anniversary of OutLaw, the Law School's LGBTQ+ association, with alumni, current students, colleagues, and friends.