Justice

The Black Legal Wellness Forum Tackles The Black Vote

The forum was started in the wake of George Floyd’s death to tackle issues of systemic racism.

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2020 is the gift that keeps on giving. Except the gift is an actual plague, wrapped in a forest fire, hiding behind the collapse of democracy. There is a lot to be depressed about, so I try to spend my time focusing on things that make me feel hopeful. 

One of those things is the upcoming October edition of the Black Legal Wellness forum. I first covered the inaugural session of the Black Legal Wellness forum back in June, when founder Miriam Lacroix, Esq. started the event in the wake of George Floyd’s death to tackle issues of systemic racism. Miriam knew that police brutality is just one product of racism and that racism is a power dynamic that affects many aspects of Black lives, including their interactions with the law. That is why she decided to use her voice and experience as a lawyer to “[P]ut on a forum that addresses this and invites the community for a free discussion about how the Black community can better navigate legal issues across a variety of areas of law. This forum is for the Black community to better understand the ways in which the legal systems are not serving them, their rights under different areas of law, and the ways that they can better protect and advocate for themselves when interacting with the law.” 

The first Black Legal Wellness forum, which covered a variety of issues, including the criminal justice system, employment law, trademark law, and trusts and estates, was a huge success. As was the second session in August, which tackled in depth the intersection between immigration and race. 

The upcoming October forum will focus on “The Black Vote Matters Because …” where Miriam invites you to “[j]oin us in finishing this sentence. With the upcoming election, October’s forum will focus on the importance of voting. Systemic racism prevents Black people from casting their ballots. Voter suppression tactics and disenfranchisement of previously incarcerated people are strategies used to block the Black vote. The goal of limiting Black turnout is clear, but we don’t have to give in to it. Recognizing that there is a motive behind these tactics is the first step in understanding the importance of voting. They wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us from voting if our vote didn’t matter. 

Voting becomes even more difficult when we feel like we have less than ideal choices, but the solution is not to give up and skip heading out to the polls on Election Day. The Black vote matters because this community can change the trajectory of this country even if it is one step at a time. 

Participants will leave this forum understanding how to be informed voters, as well as:

  • Hear from elected officials about their experiences with elections
  • Learn the truth about Black voter turnout and why the Black vote matters
  • Understand the barriers that keep the Black community from voting and how to overcome them
  • Discuss other considerations when voting. What, other than the presidency, is at stake?”

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The event promises to be jam-packed with crucial information from well-informed sources, such as Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea-Stewart Cousins, Hudson Valley Organizing Director for Community Voices Heard Juanita Lewis, and Westchester County Legislator for the 16th District Christopher Johnson.

The event takes place on October 9 at 7 p.m. EST (virtually, of course). You can register at blacklegalwellness.com.

Kerriann Stout is a millennial law school professor and founder of Vinco (a bar exam coaching company) who is generationally trapped between her students and colleagues. Kerriann has helped hundreds of students survive law school and the bar exam with less stress and more confidence. She lives, works, and writes in the northeast. You can reach her by email at [email protected].

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