2017 NLADA Annual Conference

Last year, NLADA challenged civil legal aid and public defense advocates to “form genuine and sustainable, community-led partnerships aimed at bridging the racial divide in our country.” This provocative conversation aims to encourage and highlight such partnerships, while identifying new opportunities as well as solutions to overcoming the barriers that often interfere with the effectiveness of such collaboration. The panel will answer such questions as: Are civil legal aid (and public defense?) programs embracing racial justice priorities and initiatives throughout our poverty law practice? What work is/should be done to build connection to the Black Lives Matters movement or other community groups working to promote racial justice? Do issues of privilege interfere with our effectiveness? What is the role of program leaders in building and maintaining services and programs most needed in communities of color?