Committees

Join a Committee

Are you new to MBWA? Are you a long-term member? MBWA invites you to get involved with our organization. Without the work of our passionate and committed volunteers, we would not be able to support our mission.

Join a committee today and help MBWA to continue supporting Black women attorneys in Massachusetts. Please see the descriptions below to learn more about our committees including communications, community service, finance and development, Ida B. Wells, and programs and events.


2023-2024

MBWA Committees


Communications Committee
Co-Chairs: Desiree Murphy and Jasmine Brown

The Communications Committee serves as the connection between MBWA and its members. The overall objective of the Communications Committee is to establish an effective information sharing system between MBWA, and its membership, and the community. The Committee assists with all designs and production of announcements, events, and marketing communications. The Committee works in close cooperation with the other MBWA committees to disseminate information to the membership through emails, bulletins, and quarterly newsletters. The Committee also oversees and maintains the current MBWA website.

Community Service Committee
Chair: Cassandra L.M. Prince

The Community Service Committee develops and implements activities to enhance the community and foster relations between the community and the legal profession. Each year, the Committee donates school supplies to local non-profit organizations and designated public schools, gives toys and gift cards to local shelters during the holiday season, and establishes fundraisers to expand its outreach to local women's shelters. The Committee also supports school-based programs such as projects with Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy, and engages in prono bono projects with community partners like the Volunteer Lawyers Project.

Finance and Development Committee
Chair: Shahria H. Boston Kidd

The Finance and Development Committee works collectively with MBWA’s Board of Directors to maintain the organization’s operating budget, and develop and support fundraising initiatives. The Committee also collaborates with external sponsors to support special programs and events, and fundraise for the Blanche E. Braxton Bar Preparation Scholarship to promote diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession. The Committee also spearheads the fundraising strategies for the Ida B. Wells annual afternoon tea and award ceremony, which provides the primary funding for the organization's programs and initiatives.

Ida B. Wells Committee
Co-Chairs: Francesse J. Canty and Janette Ekanem

The Ida B. Wells Committee organizes the annual afternoon tea for MBWA members and its supporters. The event honors black women attorneys whose intellect, skill and achievement make them great contributors to the Massachusetts legal community. The Ida B. Wells Award is awarded to those selected women who exemplify the pioneering spirit and courage of Ida B. Wells. In addition to this award, the committee recognizes recipients for the Public Interest Award and Membership Award presented every five years.

Membership Committee
Chair: Desiree Murphy

The Membership Committee is charged with handling matters of membership recruitment and retention. The Committee works with the executive board to develop strategies, programming, and initiatives to grow and maintain membership. This includes visiting law schools throughout Massachusetts and creating networking opportunities. The Committee fosters the growth and development of its members by nominating them for various achievement awards including the Massachusetts Lawyers Week Excellence in the Law Awards, and also making recommendations for speaking opportunities, and professional development conferences.

Programs and Events Committee
Co-Chairs: Jasmine Wells and Jasmine Brown

The Programs and Events Committee serves as the organization’s epicenter for developing professional and educational events to educate our members, strengthen their advocacy skills, and foster their overall legal development. Examples of our signature events include the Annual Swearing-In Ceremony and Membership Brunch, and most recently Membership Outings. The committee also creates social events and activities throughout the year which allows members and non-members to network and fellowship.

Interested in joining a committee?

Please email info@massblackwomenattys.org
for more information.