September CRSJ Chair's Welcome Video & Column

Please see a video welcome (and paired Chair Column) from 2024-25 CRSJ Section Chair Lacy L. Durham, as she details her plans for the new Bar Year. 

Dear ABA Civil Rights and Social Justice Section Family,

Hello, everyone! My name is Lacy L. Durham, and I am truly honored to serve as the 2024-25 Chair for the American Bar Association’s Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice.

Purpose and Importance

As the new Bar Year approaches, our focus remains steadfast on advancing civil rights and ensuring justice for all. The Section plays a critical role to uphold and protect the fundamental rights guaranteed to every individual. Our work here is not just about addressing legal issues but also about fostering a more equitable and inclusive society. We are dedicated to tackling the pressing challenges of our time and championing the causes that matter most, such as voter protection and election integrity, environmental justice, and so much more. 

There is something in the Section for everyone. If you are already a member, thank you. If you are not yet a member, we welcome you to join our network of advocates. You may do so at ambar.org/joincrsj

Agenda and Expectations

Now, looking ahead, we have an ambitious agenda for this year. But with help from our dedicated members and partner organizations, we can tackle pressing civil rights issues, advance impactful initiatives, and create meaningful change for all. 

The theme during my year as Chair will be Advancing Civil Rights & Social Justice: A Call to Action. It is a call to action that demands our full engagement, our unwavering dedication, and our relentless pursuit of justice. We have the opportunity to lead the nation on the issues important to us. We are reflective and acknowledge the struggles of the past, work to amplify the voices of the present, and endeavor to shape a more equitable and just world for future generations. Together, we’ll continue to build on our good works, attract new people who bring fresh ideas, expertise and experiences to the Section, and collaborate to use our influence for the good of all that will unquestionably forge a path towards a brighter future. 

Today, I wanted to share a preview of our key priorities for the upcoming term: 

• Perfecting Democracy, is one of our signature initiatives. Now more than ever, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting and perfecting democracy by ensuring transparency, fairness, and equal access for all - while continually advancing policies that uphold the integrity of the democratic process. Be on the lookout for the Chair Chat series with esteemed experts on election protection and a virtual summit on October 16-17, 2024, highlighting these important election issues and other details about how you can get involved.  The time is now for us to act with a collective voice. Additional details on the virtual summit are forthcoming.
• Environmental Justice Symposium will take place in-person at Howard University on Nov 14-15, 2024.  This event is done in coordination with the ABA Section on Environment, Energy and Resources.
• We will also launch the inaugural Civil Rights Boot Camp, designed to equip the next generation of civil rights lawyers and social justice advocates with the legal knowledge, practical skills, and advocacy tools they need to champion equality, fight injustice, and drive meaningful social change. 
• CRSJ's Spring Council Meeting will take place in-person in Puerto Rico on April 25-27, 2024. This meeting is jointly sponsored by the ABA Section of State and Local Government Law. Please mark your calendar! 

As you can see from this snippet, we have quite a year ahead, and I encourage you to participate actively, share your insights, and collaborate as we strategize our approach. I can be reached via email with any questions.

How to Get Involved

As we look forward to an exciting and impactful year, your involvement is more important than ever. Here’s how you can engage and contribute to our mission:

• Join a Committee or Working Group | We have more than 20 committees and working groups focused on different aspects of civil rights and social justice. By joining one, you can work directly on projects, develop programming and policy, help shape initiatives, and collaborate with fellow members. To sign up, please add applicable groups via your MyABA account or contact Associate Director Alli Kielsgard for assistance.

• Attend and Participate in Events | We will be hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including quarterly in-person and virtual Council Meetings, hot-topic webinars, and more! Keep an eye on our event calendar and make sure to register for the sessions that interest you. 

• Stay Informed and Connected | Stay updated on our activities, progress, and opportunities by following us on our social media channels (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook) and subscribing to our YouTube Channel, which houses all of our programming. Your engagement helps keep our community informed and involved.

• Support and Collaborate with Partner Organizations | We work closely with various partner organizations to amplify our efforts. If you have connections or opportunities for collaboration with other groups that share our goals, please let us know. Together, we can expand our reach and enhance our effectiveness.

• If you are not yet a member - JOIN US | Joining our Section not only enhances your professional journey, but also strengthens our collective efforts to champion civil rights and social justice. 

Your active participation and support are essential to our success. Let’s work together to advance civil rights and social justice. If you have any questions or need more information about how to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact the Section.

Acknowledgments

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Robin Runge, Immediate Past Chair, for her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the Section’s mission. Robin’s efforts have laid a strong foundation for us to build upon and continue our necessary work.

Additionally, I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of our dedicated Council members, Committee Leaders, Liaisons, and Staff as well as the support of our partner entities within the ABA and outside. Your tireless efforts make a profound difference in our collective impact. 

I encourage you to please monitor your emails for more important written messages detailing the initiatives and meetings coming up this year, so make sure to bookmark this!

Final Thoughts

I am truly excited about the opportunities ahead and deeply committed to advancing our mission. Let’s continue to work together with renewed energy and dedication to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.