Mound City Bar Association is the oldest black bar association west of the Mississippi River. It was organized as the St. Louis Negro Bar Association on January 13, 1922, at a time when black lawyers were not allowed to join the all-white St. Louis Bar Association. Our objectives are to advance the professional interests and professional development of its members; promote the administration of justice; uphold the honor of the legal profession; and provide service to the community.
MCBA Employment Commission's Report
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Diversity in Missouri Law Firms and
Government Entities
Her Platform will inspire, move and motivate you to become involved.
INCLUSION OR ILLUSION
Greetings,
It is with great admiration that I humbly accept the opportunity to serve as MCBA President for the 2006-2007 Bar Year. During my tenure, I would like to accomplish the following:
Propose and implement a progressive platform which addresses critical professional, educational and social issues currently facing the Mound City Bar and the St. Louis Metropolitan community;
Propose the Establishment of a Legal Legends Award; and
Promote diversity on the bench.
It is undisputable that one of the critical issues facing America today and the legal profession is DIVERSITY. Rarely can you find an institution, business, or establishment, which does not have some type of diversity initiative or program. To that end, there is no question that most of us applaud the efforts of these organizations; they had the foresight to implement safeguards, which are designed to create diversity. However, when confronted with the results of many of these programs, most are left wondering whether these efforts have created diversity or simply an appearance of it. Quite frankly, I must confess I really do not have the answer. This is why I have decided to dedicate my Bar Year to exploring this critical question. The theme I have chosen for the 2006-2007 Bar Year is: “Inclusion or Illusion: The Examination of a Fact or Fiction.” My hope is to research, examine, and analyze the diversity initiatives of various establishments in the following four disciplines: education, political, social and employment:
Education: I would like to examine the diversity efforts of Washington University, St. Louis University, University of Missouri at Columbia and University of Missouri at Kansas City to determine whether their initiatives have successfully led to the recruitment, retention and preparation of future African-American lawyers;
Political: I would like to explore an existing healthcare initiative to determine whether it adequately provides basic medical care for people of color;
Social: I would like to evaluate minority representation in the Missouri Bar, BAMSL, The Lawyer’s Association and Women’s Lawyers Association. To determine not merely whether we have a seat at the table but to establish whether we have a voice. It means very little to be present at the table if you are in fact invisible; and
Employment: I would like to analyze the diversity initiative of law firms and governmental entities to determine whether African Americans are a part of the fabric or just window dressing.
To accomplish these goals, I plan to establish a commission for each discipline. Each Commission would research and analyze its particular issue and survey the appropriate entities. Thereafter, the Commission would invite the leaders of said entities to a Mound City Bar meeting to discuss the topic. Finally, the Commission would publish its findings and recommendations in various media outlets. Similar, to Mr. Paul Sims, my hope is that we not simply say it, but that we do it. But not just do it, but do it with excellence, proficiency and integrity so that we may preserve the dignity of this historic organization while improving the status of African Americans in the legal community as well as the general populace.
In addition, to the implementation of this Platform, I would like to establish the Legal Legends Award for the following two reasons:
First, so often we rely on other organizations to recognize the accomplishments of African Americans who have made tremendous contributions to the legal profession; and when this does not occur, we often are disappointed and disdained;
Second and more importantly, as a community we often discount and overlook the contributions of pioneers who have been in the struggle for years, trailblazers who are succeeding and progressing by their own standards. Yet, we rarely hear their names, acknowledge their contributions or pay homage to their success.
I propose that we establish a Legal Legends Award to celebrate these unsung heroes. To the end, these individuals would be honored at a Mound City Bar meeting. At that meeting, the recipient would be given the opportunity to address the membership. Thereafter, a reception would be held in his/her honor.
Finally, I propose we join the fight to preserve the Non-Partisan Court Plan and continue our efforts to promote diversity on the bench. With respect to diversity on the bench, there is no question that we have made strides in this area. Just look at our current representation on the bench. We have,
One Missouri Supreme Court The Honorable Ronnie White
Three Federal District Court Judges The Honorable Carolyn Jackson
The Honorable Charles Shaw
The Honorable Henry Autrey
Three Appellant Court Judges The Honorable George Draper
The Honorable Booker Shaw
The Honorable Nannette Baker
Six Judges on the 21st Circuit (St. Louis County)
Two Circuit Judges The Honorable David Lee Vincent III
The Honorable Michael T. Jamison
Four Associate Circuit Judges The Honorable Sandra Farragut-Hemphill
The Honorable Brenda Stith-Loftin
The Honorable Gloria Clark Reno
The Honorable Judy P. Draper
Nine Judges on the 22d Circuit (City of St. Louis)
Six Circuit Judges The Honorable Michael B. Calvin
The Honorable Evelyn M. Baker
The Honorable Angela Turner-Quigless
The Honorable Jimmie M. Edwards
The Honorable Donald L. McCullin
The Honorable David C. Mason
Three Associate Circuit Judges The Honorable Paula Perkins-Bryant
The Honorable Barbara Peebles
The Honorable Calea Stovall-Reid
One Bankruptcy Judge Kathy Surratt-States
There is an underlining reason why I wanted to recognized each of these Judges by name and that reason simply is: although I am extremely proud of their presence, the mere fact that I am able to list them on one sheet of paper is a testament to the fact that although we have come a ways, we still have a long way to go.
I propose that our Community Affairs committee take a critical look at the judicial selection process and develop a strategic plan aimed at increasing diversity on the bench. As we strive to accomplish this, we must remain careful not to move backwards. In other words, in our efforts to increase diversity on the bench, we must never lose sight of our responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the current members of the judiciary. I propose that the Community Affairs committee develop an action plan, which would allow us to expeditiously respond when an African American judge is unfairly attacked and/or challenged. As other Bar Associations have so rightly done, so must we take necessary steps to preserve the Non-Partisan Court Plan.
Finally, as we forge ahead this year, let us always strive to accomplish our Constitutional objectives, which are:
To advance the professional interest of our members;
To improve the administration of justice;
To uphold the honor of the legal profession;
To promote the professional development of African American attorneys; and
To service the community.
To accomplish this and the action items I intend to propose, I will need your help. I challenge each dues paid member to attend the monthly meetings and participate. I challenge each individual who has not paid their dues to pay them and help us explore this timely and critical question: “Diversity Initiatives: Inclusion or Illusion.” The Answer To Be Determined. Again, I thank you for this opportunity to serve and look forward to working side by side with each one of you.
Pamela J. Meanes, MCBA President 2006-2007
Inaugural Speech
Mound City Bar Association
Annual Stoval Reid Scholarship dinner
MOUND CITY BAR ASSOCIATION
2006-2007 PROCEDURES
A. Email Procedures
In an effort to reduce the dissemination of sensitive information to the general public, the following procedures shall be implemented:
E-mails regarding minutes or membership status should be sent to Kemba Logan at Kemba.logan@thehartford.com.
B. Agenda Procedures
Executive Board Agenda
• To be placed on the MCBA Executive Board Agenda, a written request must be submitted to Kemba Logan on or before the first Tuesday of each month.
General Body Agenda
• To be placed on the MCBA general body agenda, a written request must be submitted to Kemba Logan on or before the first Tuesday of each month.
Written requests shall state the nature of the proposed item and the duration of your presentation. The request shall be mailed to Kemba Logan’s attention at P.O. Box 1543, St. Louis, MO 63188 or via e-mail at Kemba.logan@thehartford.com.
C. Speaker Requests at Meetings
In order for a non-member to address the membership, he/she must submit a written request at least one month in advance to his/her appearance. The request should include:
the nature and purpose of the presentation;
the duration of the presentation;
a copy of any material(s) (handouts, power-point, etc.) which will be utilized during the presentation;
a copy of any material(s) describing the presenter or the organization; and
an indication regarding whether the presenter will be available for a question & answer session following the presentation.
Emergency situations shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the President and the Executive Board
D. Co-Sponsorship of an Event for Other Organizations
If another organization/individual would like MCBA to co-sponsor an event with it, the organization/individual shall submit a written request at least two and a half months in advance of the event. The request shall include the following information:
the nature and purpose of the event;
the proposed date(s) of the event;
the desired level of MCBA involvement and any monetary requirements; and
any literature describing the event and organizer.
Finally, the organization shall be co-sponsored by MCBA due paid members
E. Event Request from MCBA Members
If any MCBA member would like to propose a new event, the member shall submit a written request to the Executive Board at least two and a half months in advance of the proposed event date. The request should include the following information;
the nature and purpose of the event;
the proposed date(s) of the event; and
any necessary monetary requirements.
Your cooperation with the procedures is appreciated.
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