Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Announces Black History Month Activities which Include Panel Discussions, a New Scholarship and More

PITTSBURGH - January 29, 2021 – Black History Month serves as a reminder and celebration of the heritage, adversity, triumphs, achievements and contributions of African Americans in our country. This year, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney is adopting the theme of “Black HERstory,” where we will stand together to honor the many accomplishments of Black women throughout history. Below are a number of ways we will be celebrating:

On February 10, Buchanan is hosting a virtual CLE conversation with Paulette Brown, the first African American Woman President of the American Bar Association.  Lloyd Freeman, the firm's Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, will serve as the moderator. We will explore Paulette's HERstory - her historic rise to the top of the ABA; her career journey from in-house counsel to Municipal Court Judge to private practice at a major law firm; and the many glass ceilings she shattered along the way.

Buchanan will be hosting another virtual conversation on February 23, entitled “Courageous Conversations: Black Hairstyles in the Workplace.” Lloyd Freeman will host the conversation with Professor D. Wendy Greene to examine the law and effects of racial discrimination against African descendants’ natural hair in the workplace. The two will discuss the “invisible harms” and other negative impacts caused by race-based natural hair discrimination.  

In partnership with Drexel University’s Thomas Kline School of Law and Spelman College, Buchanan will be awarding a scholarship to an aspiring black female attorney as part of the newly-established 3+3 Program. Under this program, students can earn their undergraduate degree and J.D. in six years. 

The firm is encouraging colleagues and their families to watch the powerful documentary, Tell Them We Are Rising, which chronicles the rise, influence and evolution of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Additionally, we are also recommending colleagues listen to The New York Times Magazine podcast, 1619 Project. This Pulitzer Prize winning audio series, created by journalist Nikole Hannah Jones aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of our national narrative. 

For more information about Buchanan's Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, visit our D&I page or contact Lloyd Freeman, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer.