The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism works to promote civility and inclusion in the legal profession, to ensure the equitable delivery of justice for the people of Illinois.
In honor of Black History Month, the Commission on Professionalism is highlighting inspiring leaders of some of the state’s predominantly Black bar associations. Through their work, these leaders are creating a more diverse profession in which all attorneys feel valued.
In this Q&A, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston spoke to Joan A. Akalaonu, President of the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA), and a Partner in Business & Litigation at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.
How does the BWLA bridge the gap between the legal profession and the communities we serve?
At its core, BWLA was founded to build connection, community, and opportunity for Black women in the legal profession, our communities, and the broader legal community in Illinois and beyond.
Since our inception in 1987, BWLA’s mission has focused on addressing issues unique to Black women lawyers, advancing civil and human rights, and increasing representation so the legal profession more accurately reflects the populations it serves.
That commitment is reflected in the legacy of our BWLA Founders and Past Presidents, who helped establish and support pipeline programs such as Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, Minority Legal Education Resources, Inc. (MLER), and the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program (DAPP), and continues through our leadership today.
I am blessed to have a Board of Directors and Scholarship Fund Board composed of Black women lawyers who also serve and lead in organizations dedicated to community service, civil rights and policy, education, and pipeline development, creating meaningful alignment between BWLA and the public.
This work is further brought to life through our BWLA committees, including our Community Service and Outreach Committee, led this year by Co-Chairs Aleathea Williams and Ashley Varnado, alongside BWLA Board Members Kina Arnold and Kameelah Pointer.
Through intentional and impactful programming—including support for BWLA member Ari Williams’ Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, volunteer service at Habitat for Humanity Chicago ReStore South, participation in the MLK Jr. Day of Service with ChiGivesBack, and more – the Community Services and Outreach Committee and others have created hands-on opportunities for BWLA members to build relationships with one another and to engage directly with our communities.
As we mark the centennial year of Black History Month, BWLA is especially mindful of the importance of this bridge-building work to the organization’s Enduring Legacy.
Who in the Black legal community inspires you?
I am inspired by so many people in the Black legal community in Chicago and beyond. One of the unexpected gifts of serving as BWLA President has been the opportunity to meet, work alongside, and build friendships with amazing and dedicated Black women in the legal profession.
I am especially inspired by our BWLA Founders and Past Presidents, who have welcomed me so warmly, sharing wisdom and encouragement for my bar year. It’s an incredible feeling to be a part of this cohort, whose dedication and vision created and has carried forth the Enduring Legacy of our bar association.
I am also inspired by the women who step forward to serve on our Board and lead our committees, balancing demanding careers, families, and other commitments while still showing up with energy and purpose to serve BWLA.
I am deeply grateful for and inspired by our incredible membership, those who attend and support our events, those who serve as mentors in our BWLA mentoring program, and those who reach out and welcome BWLA to host events at their firms, companies, and organizations.
One of my favorite parts of the BWLA monthly newsletter is our Member Achievements section, where we highlight all the amazing accomplishments of our membership, whether they were featured on panels or as guest speakers, wrote an article, received an award, honor, or promotion, or something else.
There are so many incredible people in the Black legal community, whether in BWLA or other bar associations and organizations. These people are doing inspiring individual work to benefit and progress the collective. Being a witness to this will be one of the experiences I treasure the most from my presidency.
What is one project your bar association is working on that you’re excited about?
This bar year is guided by our theme, “Enduring Legacy,” which honors the lasting impact BWLA has built as an organization and the legacy of excellence Black women have created within the legal profession, while also charging us to continue building together, United by Law and Fueled by Sisterhood.
On February 11, 2026, we hosted our BWLA 2026 Judicial Reception, themed Enduring Legacy: Building a Legacy That Shapes Chicago, where we celebrated distinguished members of the judiciary and trailblazing leaders whose work has helped shape our city, profession, and community, including our 2026 Honorees.
That celebration will continue at our BWLA Annual Spring Fundraiser Luncheon on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.
With the support of the BWLA Board of Directors and the Scholarship Fund Board, the luncheon will celebrate, honor, and recognize Black women in the legal profession whose achievements reflect an enduring legacy of excellence, civic engagement, and advancement of justice. We will also award scholarships to continue our legacy of support for law students.
These events reflect the essence of BWLA’s work—honoring our past, celebrating the present, and investing in the future—and are made possible through the generosity and support of our sponsors.
Please visit 2026 BWLA Spring Fundraising Luncheon for more information. BWLA appreciates all the support!
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