From my very first day on BC Law’s campus, during our LAHANAS Retreat, I remember being greeted by members of this year’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) E-Board—within seconds of stepping into the East Wing. What stood out to me in that moment was the warmth and genuine joy in their welcome. It was a simple moment—a seemingly minor interaction, but one that had a significant impact. In that moment, any uncertainty I felt walking into a new environment gave way to a sense that I belonged. 

For me, that moment carried additional weight. As a Black Haitian American, I’ve spent much of my education navigating predominantly white institutions. I’ve experienced what it feels like to enter spaces where you don’t always see people who look like you, and where you question whether you truly belong. That’s why that first moment was so impactful—it wasn’t just a warm welcome, but the beginning of a sense of belonging I hadn’t always felt.

That sense of belonging didn’t happen by accident. It reflects a legacy shaped in part by Professor Ruth-Arlene W. Howe—one rooted in advocacy, opportunity, and a deep commitment to ensuring that Black law students are not only present, but supported. Over the course of this year, I’ve come to better understand how that legacy continues to live on through BLSA and the community it fosters.

Since that first day, BLSA’s E-Board has continued to reinforce my sense of belonging. Through BLSA’s programming—resume and networking workshops, luncheons with attorneys from a range of firms, mentorship from 2Ls and 3Ls, our Spring Conference on educational inequities in Black communities, and our retreat on Cape Cod—I engaged with experiences that supported both my professional and personal growth. Each of these moments affirmed what I felt from the beginning: that BLSA isn’t just a student organization, but an intentional community invested in the success and well-being of its members.

That initial experience was a big part of why I stepped into my role as a 1L Representative this year. As a 1L Rep, I’ve had the opportunity to build relationships with Black alumni and my peers across sections and class years, to see firsthand how much BLSA means to its members, and to contribute to the community that has meant so much to me since that first day. 

I’ve also had the privilege of watching this year’s E-Board—under the thoughtful direction of our Co-Presidents, Nia Blackwell and Kenny Anagbogu—set a strong example of what it means to lead with intention and care. For me, that’s what leadership has come to mean: consistency—showing up, building relationships, and contributing to spaces where others feel supported and valued.

That’s the approach I carry with me as I step into the role of Co-President next year: not to reinvent BLSA, but to build on the strong foundation that already exists.

I’m especially grateful to be taking on this role alongside Caila Kilson-Kuchtic. We joined BLSA as 1L Representatives for many of the same reasons, rooted in community. Over the course of this year, we’ve had the opportunity to work together, learn together, and build a shared vision for how we can continue to support the organization moving forward. I truly believe that together, we are prepared to carry this work forward thoughtfully and with purpose.

More than anything, I hope BLSA continues to be what it has been for so many of us this year: a space where students feel comfortable showing up as themselves, where they feel supported—not just academically or professionally, but personally—and where community is not just something we talk about, but something we actively build together.

As I reflect on this past year, I’m incredibly grateful for the impact BLSA has had on my 1L experience at BC Law. I especially want to thank Kenny and Nia—not only for the work they’ve done this year, but for the way they’ve led BLSA with care, thoughtfulness, and genuine commitment to this community. Their leadership has had a meaningful impact on me personally, and they set a standard that I’ve learned from—one that I hope to carry forward in the year ahead.

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Dave Sainte-Luce is a 1L student at BC Law. Contact him at sainteld@bc.edu.