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diversity matters
The ABA's New Diversity Center:
How May We Help You?
By Paula J. Frederick,
Chair, ABA Center for Racial and Ethnic Diversity
The ABA maintains a longstanding commitment to diversity in the legal profession. To renew and strengthen its diversity commitment, the Association has recently restructured the Center for Racial and Ethnic Diversity. The following Q&A with the Center's Chair, Paula J. Frederick, provides more information on the Center and its role in the ABA.
What is the ABA Center for Racial and Ethnic Diversity?
The Diversity Center is the "umbrella" entity for the main groups within the ABA that address racial and ethnic diversity issues. Recent changes in the Center's structure and operations are designed to enhance the ABA's diversity efforts through improved coordination, communication and utilization of resources. As the preeminent legal association in the world, the ABA is in a unique position to help develop the parameters and goals for increasing diversity within the profession and serve as a guiding force in program development and innovation. Through its national lens and by garnering its strength, the ABA—through the Diversity Center—will be positioned to assume a greater leadership role in advancing diversity in the profession.
The Center is comprised of three main entities: Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity; Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity; and Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice. Through the efforts of these groups, the ABA addresses the issue of diversity with a three-pronged approach focusing on racial and ethnic issues of the legal profession, advancing students into the profession, and promoting social justice.
What is the distinction between the groups that make up the Center?
The Diversity Center has a governing committee, which I chair, and Cie Armstead was recently appointed as the Center's first full-time staff director. We are currently focusing on implementing our strategic plan, which establishes the Center as a centralized resource for diversity interests within the ABA and for the profession with a service-oriented team that's dedicated to excellence.
The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession is chaired by Kay Hodge and Sandra Yamate is its staff director. The Commission provides services for racially and ethnically diverse lawyers, judges, and others who are in the profession.
The Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity is chaired by Ruthe Ashley and Robin Rone is its staff director. The Advisory Council provides services to increase diversity among students in the pipeline to the legal profession. Robin also manages the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship, which provides students with financial assistance to attend law school. Its committee is chaired by Hilarie Bass.
The Council on Racial and Ethnic Justice is chaired by LaVeeda Morgan Battle, and Rachel Patrick is its staff director. The Council mainly addresses issues related to racial and ethnic bias in the justice system.
How will the Diversity Center work with other groups within the ABA?
The Diversity Center is available and eager to work with ABA Sections, Divisions and Forums. Each of the Diversity Center groups will continue their respective collaborative work with Sections, Divisions, Forums, and other ABA groups. As the coordinating body, the Diversity Center will develop services and partnerships with ABA entities to promote and enhance their existing diversity initiatives and create new collaborative opportunities. These services may include:
- Consulting on creating and updating diversity plans
- Assisting with identifying diverse speakers and authors
- Assisting with promotion of Section/Division/Forum diversity programming
- Assisting with diversity training for Section/Division/Forum leadership
- Facilitating Section/Division/Forum's outreach efforts to diverse organizations and individuals
- Offering a comprehensive website that provides a centralized source on diversity activities at the ABA
- Establishing resources and forums for enhanced communication among ABA groups with diversity initiatives
The Diversity Center also maintains connections with the other Goal IX entities, i.e., Commission on Women, Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, and the Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Through regular communications and identification of common interests, the Diversity Center will work in close partnership with its allied entities to promote the full and equal participation in the legal profession by all persons.
In short, the Diversity Center is here to support and augment racial and ethnic diversity throughout the ABA and the profession. To fulfill this objective, we want to hear from you—Sections, Divisions, and Forums—on how we can best serve you. We are excited about the new and improved Diversity Center we're building; and we welcome your input! Please feel free to contact me at paula@gabar.org or visit our website at www.abanet.org/diversity/home.shtml.
The SOC e-News is published three times a year by the Section Officers Conference (SOC). Each issue will contain information and resources specially designed for Section, Division and Forum officers. Please feel free to contact us with your comments or questions, so we may include them in future editions.
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