Inspiring and Equipping the Next Generation of Lawyer-Leaders with a Lens Towards Social Justice
Artika R. Tyner, EdD, MPP, JD & Tisidra Jones, JD | September 22 | 3:15-4:15 PM
Topic: Research, Legal | Knowledge Level: Beginner
America is at a crossroad of demographic shifts and stark racial economic disparities. A 2020 Census Bureau report stated that by 2045, Whites will no long make up the majority of the U.S. population. As the U.S. becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, it continues to grapple with racial economic disparities. Systems need to change to yield better outcomes for a growing percentage of the U.S. population. There is a leadership role for lawyers to play in advancing the creation of systems that yield equal access to economic opportunity. Research was conducted through evaluating historical laws, policies, Census data, Federal Reserve research and labor statistics. This research was used to answer the following questions: (1) What role has law and policy played in creating systems that continue to yield racial economic disparities between Blacks and Whites? and (2) What leadership roles may lawyers play in changing and building systems that advance social justice. Findings focus on three main areas: (1) income and wealth disparities; (2) the effects of incarceration on economic opportunity and generational economic mobility; and (3) relationship between socioeconomic status and healthcare access. Results indicate that law and policy have contributed to persistent generational racial economic disparities. Since lawyers are involved in creating laws, upholding laws, and helping people navigate our systems, lawyers have a critical leadership role to play in changing systems. This presentation concludes with recommendations on alternative lawyering approaches to advancing social justice and strategies for equipping the next generation of lawyer-leaders.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of the scholarly and legal research conducted
· Describe recommendations for solutions to persistent racial economic disparities and the role that the legal profession may play