Black Law Students Association hosts 16th annual Angel Tree Lighting

The Keith J. Williams Black Law Students Association (KJWBLSA) at Charleston School of Law celebrated its 16th annual Angel Tree Lighting ceremony in The Barrister at the Sol Blatt Jr. Law Library on Wednesday.

Debra J. Gammons, Director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives and Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law at the school, said the tree lighting event is more than ceremonial; it is an act of “hope, light, and unity.”

This year’s Angel Tree Project provides gift donations for children from Sanders-Clyde Elementary. KJWBLSA member Greg Hughlett explained that faculty and students are encouraged to sponsor a child’s Christmas from the 50 angels on the tree. The children are between the ages of four and 11 years old.

“KJ Williams loved this event,” said Professor Gammons. “He was as excited as one of the elementary school children receiving their gifts from the Angel Tree.” Williams passed away in 2018 after a long battle with Leukemia.

Faculty and students are invited to visit the Angel Tree and select an “angel” from the tree. Email kjwblsa@charlestonlaw.edu with your “angel’s” name to get his/her Christmas wish List. Drop your wrapped gifts (with your Angel’s name attached) off at the Christmas tree in The Barrister by Wednesday, November 30, 5 p.m.

Since his passing, members renamed their organization as the Keith J. Williams Black Law Students Association, a student-led organization that promotes the professional needs and goals of all law students by fostering competence in the legal profession.

The Charleston Law chapter of BLSA is an affiliate of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), the largest student-run organization in the United States, representing more than 6,000 Black law students.

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The Charleston School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school nationally recognized for its student-centric culture. Our faculty and staff are committed to preparing you for success both in the classroom and in the legal profession.

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