More Black Women Are Leading U.S. Law Schools And Changing The Conversation On Race And Gender

The 19th News, More Black Women Are Leading U.S. Law Schools and Changing the Conversation on Race and Gender:

A rising cohort of new leaders want to help their institutions better understand the country’s history and how it inextricably shapes the law today. ...

Last year, the number of Black women leading American law schools reached a high of 28. Two are interim deans. Twenty-one of them were appointed dean for the first time within the last four years. A number of them are also the first Black woman to hold their position.

These Black women deans are guiding their faculty and students through a time of contentious debates about academic teachings about systemic racism and inequities. For many of them, part of that leadership means helping their institutions better understand the country’s history and how it inextricably shapes the law today. The 19th spoke with 11 of those women about their rise to these roles, how they navigate today’s political divisions and the strong bonds they share with one another. ...

As more Black women obtain these positions, many have been able to push for broader change in their respective schools, offer one another support navigating a predominantly White male industry, and collaborate when the need arises on shared interests, such as advocating for stronger anti-racism resources in their schools.