Category: Current Events

This month, in collaboration with the Osgoode Security Law Association, BLSA Osgoode hosted a financial literacy webinar sponsored by Scotiabank. The session was designed to equip law students with practical financial knowledge to support their transition from law school into legal practice and beyond.

During the webinar, we explored key financial considerations and strategies tailored to law students, including:

• Debt management tips for managing student loans and reducing financial stress,
• The importance of budgeting to balance short-term expenses and long-term goals,
• Understanding credit and credit scores to build financial stability, and
• Investment basics to help students start planning for the future.

At BLSA Osgoode, we are committed to empowering our members across all aspects of their legal journey, including helping them gain the essential financial skills they need to take control of their future.

A special thank you to our partner and sponsor, Scotiabank, for facilitating this insightful session and supporting our mission to uplift and strengthen our community. Stay tuned for more events designed to enhance your academic, professional, and personal growth!

Last month, members of BLSA Osgoode had the privilege of attending “A Celebration of the Black Community” at York University.

We were proud to host a table at this inspiring event, where we connected with undergraduate students, and community members and engaged with incredible leaders, including Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. As a founding member of both CABL and BLSA, Commissioner DeGuire’s insights and reflections on her journey were truly impactful and inspiring.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate, and to our amazing BLSA executive team for volunteering their time to support this important event!

At BLSA, we are committed to giving back and supporting communities in meaningful ways. Through hands-on initiatives, we strive to foster connections and create lasting impact in the Toronto community.

Fighting Food Insecurity with North York Harvest Food Bank

Members of the BLSA team participated in a Sort & Learn at the North York Harvest Food Bank several times this year, where we gained valuable insight into food insecurity before sorting and packaging food for distribution. Together, we contributed to providing essential resources for over 30,000 individuals facing food insecurity. This year we sorted over 5,000 pounds at North York Harvest Food Bank! We’re excited to return for more Sort & Learn sessions, continuing our efforts to support those in need.

Supporting the Jane and Finch Community with PEACH

In partnership with Promoting Education and Community Health (PEACH), we hosted a Seniors Programming Night! Members of BLSA had the chance to connect with local seniors in the Jane and Finch community through games, conversation, and community-building activities.

Through these initiatives, BLSA remains committed to service, solidarity, and strengthening our communities. A special shoutout to Leandre Hamilton, our Community Outreach Director, for his hard work in organizing and bringing the BLSA team together for these events!

INNOVATING TODAY, IMPACTING TOMORROW

BLSA Osgoode was proud to attend BLSA Canada’s 34th Annual National Conference this year in Calgary, Alberta. The National Conference is the largest gathering of Black law students in Canada and serves as a vital forum for legal professionals across the country. It provides an unparalleled opportunity for Black law students to connect, collaborate, and engage with both their peers and the broader legal community. Attendees gain invaluable insights into the practice of law from Black professionals across Canada while fostering lasting relationships in an inclusive and empowering environment.

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR

The highlight of the conference for BLSA Osgoode was receiving the prestigious Large Chapter of the Year Award, an honor conferred annually by BLSA Canada to a chapter that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the organization’s mandate and vision!

We are deeply grateful for our executive team and general members – your dedication, passion, and engagement made this achievement possible. This award is a testament to the strength of our community and the impact we continue to make together!

On November 9th, Osgoode BLSA had the pleasure of hosting our annual Wellness Retreat at It’s Ok Studios!

This year’s theme, “Love, Care, and Solidarity,” sparked meaningful conversations about how our chapter can support one another throughout the challenges of law school. The event was a perfect blend of fitness, food, and friendship.

The retreat began with a mental health check-in, followed by a dance and resistance training workout. Participants then enjoyed a delicious lunch and engaged in a therapeutic discussion led by two community psychotherapists. This session included guided meditation and conversations on managing stress, overcoming imposter syndrome, handling rejection, and creating emotional and psychological safety in law school. A key focus was on fostering self-compassion and learning how to show up for ourselves and each other in a healthy and supportive way.

In the afternoon, attendees explored their creativity through activities like painting, colouring Indigenous art, and journaling.

Thank you to our sponsor Torys LLP for their generous sponsorship, which made this event possible. A special shoutout to our incredible Equity Officer, Sabrina Tekleb, for organizing this event!

We look forward to hosting similar events next year as we continue to prioritize wellness and community within our chapter!

Our Vice President of Academic & Professional Development, Eyitayo Kunle-Oladosu, has been working diligently this semester to spearhead events for the BLSA Osgoode community. As we approach the end of the fall term, here’s a recap of the events we have hosted so far to support our community’s academic and professional growth:

CABL X BLSA X TMU OCI Workshop
This workshop provided valuable insights on interviewing strategies to help students secure 2L internships.

BLSA In-Firm Interview Workshop
We prepared members for in-firm interviews, offering tips to build confidence and increase success in the recruitment process.

BLSA Academic Success Session
Navigating 1L can be tough, but no one has to do it alone! This session provided culturally responsive survival strategies and launched the BLSA Academic Resource Drive.

Criminal Law Plenary: Anti-Black Racism in the Criminal Justice System
We hosted an insightful discussion on anti-Black racism in the criminal justice system with panelists Justice Faisal Mirza (Superior Court of Justice) and Professor Danardo Jones (Associate Professor, Windsor Law).

BLSA Study Hall
Mentors and mentees came together in a supportive space to study and connect.

Thank you to our 2024-2025 sponsors for their continued support in making these events possible

BLSA Osgoode has spearheaded a report that sets out a proposal for the establishment of a dedicated Black Applicant Stream at Osgoode Hall Law School. The goal of this recommendation is to improve the recruitment of
Black applicants to the law school by improving the ability of the application process to understand
and account for their unique experiences.

If you are an individual interested in submitting a statement of support for BLSA Osgoode’s proposal of the implementation of a Black Applicant Stream at Osgoode Hall Law School, please click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOyLfScdmZ-zfVPNFU-QNbB4t2ssIeJnFKerVHc5SFVyJVUQ/viewform

If you are an organization interested in submitting a statement of support for BLSA Osgoode’s proposal of the implementation of a Black Applicant Stream at Osgoode Hall Law School, please click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwSqRJUz4MOzgXyLKSOmpAoZZndHy2ULTpeb3X2MITP3V-xQ/viewform

The complete report can be found below: