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The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) on Feb. 23 held its 49th annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet celebrating the accomplishments of BLSA alumni and students.
Inaya Soudan ’25, BLSA’s banquet chair, and Micah Yarbray ’26, BLSA 1L representative, emceed the event. “Tonight is dedicated to the students, faculty, and practitioners whose work in the field of law and the greater Maryland community inspire us all,” said Yarbray.
The banquet theme was “Be You, Affirmatively You,” celebrating differences and individuals who have stayed true to themselves in the face of adversity.
BLSA selected former Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake '95 as an exemplar of the theme, awarding her the 2024 Alumni of the Year Award. The honor is presented to a Black Law Students Association graduate who has committed their career to bringing about meaningful legal and political change addressing the needs and concerns of the Black community.
Among her many accomplishments, Rawlings-Blake was the first and only Black woman elected to serve as president of the US Conference of Mayors and gaveled open the 2016 Democratic National Convention as secretary of the Democratic National Committee.
The 1995 Maryland Carey Law graduate offered the evening’s keynote address in which she shared stories about the lifelong friendships she made at Maryland Carey Law. “It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “When I came to law school, I came home.”
Following the address, Soudan thanked Rawlings-Blake for her continued support of the Maryland Carey Law BLSA chapter and for being “an insightful mentor to many BLSA members, including myself.”
Several additional honors were awarded toward the end of the evening. Kennedy Hagens ’24 received the A.J. Cooper Award, and the William Murphy Family Scholarship went to Brandon Miller ’25. BLSA’s 2024 Unsung Hero was Mick Guile ’26.
The 2024 Diversity Award, which is presented to an organization in the greater Baltimore-Washington, DC area that advances diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and promotes social justice was presented to the Baltimore Ravens. Davon Charles, Ravens manager of people, culture, and inclusion, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
Ann Kim ’13, director of student services, was named Administrator of the Year. Professor of the Year was awarded to the Hon. Douglas Nazarian, senior adjunct professor and judge on the Appellate Court of Maryland.
Maryland Carey Law is grateful to the following event sponsors:
GOLD LEVEL
Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP
SILVER LEVEL
Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
BRONZE LEVEL
Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP
Gordon Feinblatt LLC
McGuireWoods LLP
Niles Barton & Wilmer LLP
Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP
Saul Ewing LLP
Tydings & Rosenberg LLP
Venable LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson LLP
SUPPORTER LEVEL
Ballard Spahr LLP
Offit Kurman