BLSA Blog

Category: Prospective Students

  • High School Visits: Inspiring the Next Generation

    As part of our outreach efforts led by Community Outreach Director, Leandre Hamilton, we’re visiting schools to host panels and presentations on post-secondary education, personal development, the Black experience across various fields, and pathways to law school. These sessions provide students with valuable insights, mentorship, and encouragement as they plan for their futures.

    This semester, we had the opportunity to speak with students at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School, and we’re excited for upcoming visits to Harbord Collegiate Institute, Central Technical School, and Westview Secondary School.

    Through these school visits, we aim to empower and inspire the next generation of Black students by sharing knowledge, experiences, and opportunities for success.

  • Know Your Worth Conference

    Empowering the Next Generation of Black Students!

    Our annual conference is proudly led by a dedicated committee of high school students from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), fostering leadership, creativity, and community engagement. This student-driven initiative provides a unique platform for Black youth to develop their skills, build meaningful connections, and see themselves as the future changemakers in their communities.

    The conference features a dynamic keynote address and interactive workshops covering career development, STEM, mental health and wellness, and the arts. Each session was designed to inspire and equip students with the tools they need to navigate their personal and professional journeys with confidence.

    This year, we were thrilled to welcome over 200 attendees, including students from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the York Region District School Board for the first time – expanding our reach and impact across the Greater Toronto Area. A huge shoutout to our Special Projects Director, Maureen Coulibaly and Special Projects Assistant, Jahnel Brookes for their hard work in bringing this initiative to life!

  • Raise the Black Bar

    Raise the Black Bar is not just a program. It’s a partnership between Osgoode Hall Law School’s Admissions Office, the Black Law Students’ Association at Osgoode Hall (BLSA Osgoode), and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). This collaborative effort aims to address the underrepresentation of Black individuals in law.

    By offering mentorship, legal workshops, and exposure to the profession, the initiative empowers Black students from under-serviced Toronto neighbourhoods to see a legal career as achievable. It fosters educational opportunities for under-serviced communities, promotes social responsibility through our many volunteers, alumni guest speakers and partners, and contributes to Osgoode’s goal of preparing a more diverse and inclusive generation of legal professionals who are equipped to advocate for justice in all sectors of society.

    For more information please check out the official website: Raise the Black Bar – Osgoode Hall Law School

    Want to learn more about the impact of Raise the Black Bar? Check us out in the following news highlights:

  • Opportunity Day

    On October 5th, BLSA Osgoode hosted our annual Opportunity Day!

    We had the chance to host pre-law students who identify as Black and are applying to law school to join us for a day of application tips, tricks and law school advice. We also had the chance to help applicants for this admission cycle with a personal statement review.

    Thank you to our event sponsor, Blakes, Cassels & Graydon LLP and to all the prospective law students who came out to Opportunity Day, BLSA Osgoode is honoured to be able to give back to our community and support your success!

  • Pre-Law Expo

    On September 21st, BLSA Osgoode had the pleasure of hosting BLSA Canada’s Pre-Law Expo at Osgoode Hall Law School!

    Over 200 attendees, including pre-law students, law students, lawyers, judges and law school admissions reps came together to be empowered and inspire future Black legal talent. Thank you to our BLSA Osgoode event volunteers for stepping up to help run the Expo so smoothly!

    Thank you to the BLSA Canada sponsors and workshop facilitators for championing our mission to shape the future of the legal profession by investing into Black pre-law students.

    Lastly to all our aspiring law students, remember: You belong here, you are the manifestation of your ancestors’ wildest dreams and you ARE a future Black lawyer!

  • Law Path Conference

    In collaboration with BFL York (Black Future Lawyers) and BE York (Black Excellence at York U), on October 26th BLSA Osgoode hosted a conference where BFL York and BE YU members learned more about Osgoode’s admissions process, heard from Osgoode students what law school is like and, learned more about the Avenue program and tips for applying!

    Thank you so much to the wonderful prospective black students that came out to attend the conference. Your future is bright and the BLSA Osgoode team is glad to be able to support you on your journey to success!