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Scenes from the 2026 James B. Parsons Legacy Dinner

Photos by Lloyd DeGrane

Three woman and a man, all dressed in suits, pose for a photo.
This year's James B. Parsons Dinner honored Judge Kai Niambi Scott (second from left), pictured here with BLSA President Rinsolu Oisaghie, '27, (left), Dean Adam Chilton, and BLSA Vice President Brielle Mitchell, '27 (right).
A man in a grey suit speaks to a crowded room of attendees.
Dean Adam Chilton welcomes attendees to the event.
A woman in a suit and pink blouse speaks into a microphone.
The Honorable Kai Niambi Scott, recipient of the 2026 James B. Parsons Award, addresses the audience.
A man and his daughter speak at a podium.
John Parsons, grandson of the late James Parsons, '49, and his daughter Grace, give a speech to attendees.
A group of students poses together.
The annual dinner is organized by the Law School's Black Law Students Association.
A young woman in a suit speaks into a microphone.
Black Law Student Association President Rinsolu Oisaghie, '27, introduces Judge Scott.
A woman in a navy suit speaks at a podium.
BLSA VP Brielle Mitchell, '27, gives brief remarks.
A young man laughs while speaking to a professor.
Andre Washington, '19, is part of the group that started the Parsons Dinner in 2018. He is seen here with Assistant Professor Adam Davidson, '17 (left).
A young woman in a black dress socializes with two other women.
Students socialize at the event.
A large group of people poses for a photo.
Members of the Parsons family pose with Judge Scott and members of the BLSA.
Three people wearing suits chat with each other.
Professor Douglas Baird (left) chats with students.
A man and two women pose smiling.
John and Grace Parsons pose with Eileen Parsons.

The Law School community gathered on February 26 for the Ninth Annual Judge James B. Parsons Legacy Dinner to honor Judge Kai Niambi Scott of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Scott was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2022, having previously served on the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. Earlier in her career, Scott also served as a trial attorney for the Defender Association of Philadelphia. 

The dinner is hosted each year by the Law School's Earl B. Dickerson Chapter of the Black Law Students Association, celebrating the integration of the federal judiciary. Law School graduate Judge Parsons, '49, was the first African American to serve as a federal judge under Article III in the continental United States. Each year, the dinner honors a distinguished African American federal jurist who is a role model for future lawyers.