REGIONAL CHAIR | IMAN DAVENPORT

Iman Davenport is a 3L at The University of Wisconsin Law School, she was originally born in Madison, WI but spent most of her life between the Northern Virginia and Virginia Beach area. For undergrad Iman attended THE Hampton University where she became a member of the BEST sorority in the world, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Prior to becoming the Midwest Regional Chair Iman served as the BLSA President for her local chapter. At the University of Wisconsin, Iman is also the Associate Programs Editor of the Wisconsin International Law Journal, a member of the Moot Court Board, and a Student Ambassador. In her free time, Iman enjoys trying new restaurants, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

​"Every day, you have the power to choose our better history — by opening your hearts and minds, by speaking up for what you know is right."  - Michelle Obama

VICE CHAIR | JOHN WILSON IV

John Wilson IV is a 3rd year law student at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He is originally from Dallas, Tx and attended the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where he was also a member of the tennis team. He currently serves as the BLSA president and SBA Diversity and Inclusion Chair, and is a member of mock trial team.  In his free time he enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
 
“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” – Malcolm X

TREASURER | MARCUS MCNEAL

Marcus McNeal is a 2L JD/MBA Candidate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. From Wichita, KS originally, Marcus attended Wichita State University where he double-majored in International Business and Finance. Following graduation, he spent seven years working in Dallas, TX in the investment management industry. In law school, Marcus is involved with BLSA, Business Law Society, International Law Society, and the Immigrants Rights Coalition. In his free time, he spends time with his partner, Harold, and friends exploring the many things Chicago has to offer. Marcus looks forward to working with the whole of the BLSA Midwest Regional Board to fulfill our shared NBLSA mission.  

“You might be locked in a world not of your own making, …, but you still have a claim on how it is shaped. You still have responsibilities.” ― Barack Obama, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

SECRETARY | GENEVA GUADALUPE

Geneva Guadalupe is a 3L at The University of Iowa College of Law and is originally from Orlando, Florida. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Grinnell College and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Prior to her role as Secretary, Geneva served on the 2021 - 2022 Midwest BLSA Board as a Sub-Regional Director. Geneva is extremely interested in Federal Public Policy as well as Regulatory Law and Policy. Outside of school, Geneva enjoys making podcasts about competition reality television shows, dating shows, and scripted television shows. The podcasting networks she hosts and guest on include, Silent Podcasts, Rob Has a Podcast (RHAP), and Post Show Recaps (PSR).

​"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us." - Wilma Rudolph

ATTORNEY GENERAL | KATRINA MORRISON

Katrina Morrison is a 3L at the University of Wisconsin and is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to her role as Attorney General she served as the Vice President of her local BLSA chapter. Katrina is passionate about making a difference in her community and has several roles within the Madison area. She is currently a Legal Intern for Law Forward, a Judicial Intern, as well as works for the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health. In her spare time Katrina enjoys listening to a myriad of podcasts and spending time with friends and family.

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

DIRECTOR OF THE CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION | AUSTYNN HICKS

Austynn Hicks is a 3L at Saint Louis University School of Law. She is from Indianapolis, IN, and completed her undergraduate studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. She has previously served on the regional board as the Midwest Convention Director, and also as her local chapter’s Vice President. At St. Louis University, Austynn is also involved in the Health Law Association and Street Law organizations. She also competed in the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition last year and made it to Nationals with her team. In her free time, she likes to shop and spend time with her dog, Nobu.
  
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICE | ANASTASIA SAKAIROUN

Anastasia Sakairoun is a 2L at Cleveland-Marshall College of law. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she studied Political Science at Bowling Green State University. Before attending Law School, she spend three year at a college guidance counselor in Brooklyn, York. She is also the former Policy Strategist and Civic Engagement Manger for the Freedom BLOC (Black Lead Organizing Collaborative) and she currently serves on the Board of Directors. In her spare time she loves to travel the world and volunteer in local campaigns in the Cleveland Area.
 
“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.” —W.E.B. Du Bois

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING | DAVID GIDDENS

David Giddens is a 2L at Cleveland State College of Law. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio he spent every summer traveling, spending time in new cities with his grandparents . Prior to becoming Director of Programmer David served as special committee head for his local BLSA chapter as well as Vice President of his undergraduate university’s Black Law Student Association. In his free time, David enjoys cooking new recipes for his family and traveling to concerts with friends.

“Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.” -James Baldwin

SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2 | PRESTON THOMAS III

SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTOR 3 | STELLA NGUEPNANG

Stella Nguepnang is a 2L at the University of Iowa College of Law. She graduated in 2021 from the school of business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a bachelors in business marketing. Stella was born in Cameroon and immigrated with her parents and sisters to the United States when she was 6 so she is fluent in French. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, cooking, traveling, and volunteering. 

"This too shall pass" - Unknown

SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTOR 4 | ALEXANDRIA ANDERSON

Alexandria Anderson is a 2L at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She graduated Magna cum Laude from Wright State University in 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Spanish and Legal Studies. Prior to her role as a Sub-Regional Director, Alexandria serves as a 1L Representative for her local chapter  and also competed in this past year's Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition. Outside of BLSA, Alexandria is also involved in the Ohio Innocence Project. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to the movies and painting.

“There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.” - Malcolm X

CHIEF OF STAFF | ASHLEY SHANNON

Ashley Shannon is a 3L originally from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She currently attends The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. Prior to her role as Chief of Staff, Ashley served as the BLSA President of her local chapter. Outside of BLSA Ashley served as a 1L Representative for the Student Bar Association, a Moot Court Honors Council Member, is a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society and serves on the African American Advisory Counsel. A fun fact about Ashley is that she was part of the first Black couple to be crowned Homecoming King and Queen at Illinois State University.

"When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him." - Bayard Rustin

HISTORIAN | JEFFERY FRIMPONG

Jeffery Frimpong is a 3L at Northern Illinois University College of Law. Jeffery is from Chicago, IL. Prior to becoming Historian of the Midwest region, Jeffery served as Secretary of the Midwest region and served on his local BLSA chapter as social chair. In his free time, Jeffery enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and watching movies. Jeffery legal interests are in intellectual property law, artificial intelligence law and employment law with aspirations of becoming a corporate general counsel attorney. 
 
“ A winner is a dreamer who never gives up” – Nelson Mandela

FINANCIAL SECRETARY | NATHANIEL EDWARDS

Nate Edwards is a 2L at The University of Wisconsin Law School. He was born in San Diego, California and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before Law school, Nate was a middle school teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools. While in law school, Nate has been an active member of the Labor and Employment Law Student Association and a member of Wisconsin BLSA's negotiation team. Nate enjoys cooking, video games, basketball, and traveling in his spare time. 

"Truth is more than a mental exercise" - Thurgood Marshall 

CONVENTION DIRECTOR | KENNEDY JONES

Kennedy Jones is a 2L JD Candidate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. Kennedy attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and later finished at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, earning a B.A. in Journalism focused on Social Media Marketing and Digital Storytelling. In law school, Kennedy serves as the Vice President of BLSA, Public Relations Chair of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, and is excited to serve as your Convention Coordinator. Especially interested in Media and Entertainment Law, in the future, she hopes to have a career working in-house at a media conglomerate. In her free time, Kennedy binge-watches the newest Netflix shows and is currently trying to reteach herself to play the piano after taking a break from performing as a classical pianist.

​"Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am." - Janelle Monáe

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS | ANGELICA HUTCHINS

Angelica Hutchins is a 3L at Marquette University Law School. She was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, and received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the ILLUSTRIOUS Howard University. Prior to joining the regional board, Angelica served as the Vice President of Marquette’s BLSA, Co-Chair of the Marquette Law Mentorship Program, and the 2L Representative of First Generation Law Students. She is also a member of Marquette’s Intellectual Property and Innovation Law Review. In her free time, Angelica loves the arts, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. 

"The most common way people give up on their power is by thinking they don't have any" - Alice Walker. 

DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RELATIONS | ROBERT JOHNSON

Robert is a third-year student at The University of Chicago Law School, and a Chicago native. Robert attended Cornell University for undergrad, where he earned a B.S. in Industrial Labor Relations. Prior to law school, Robert worked in Labor Relations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). During his 1L summer, Robert externed for US District Court Judge Franklin U. Valderrama of the Northern District of Illinois, and for Alderman Pat Dowell representing Chicago’s 3rd Aldermanic Ward. Before assuming the position of Director of Corporate Relations for the Midwest Region, Robert served as President of the local Earl B. Dickerson BLSA Chapter at the University of Chicago. Robert enjoys playing basketball, reading, and attending music concerts in his spare time.

“Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have."  -James Baldwin

DIRECTOR OF CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | TYLER PARKER

Tyler Parker is a second-year law student at the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. Tyler graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in journalism in 2019 and received her master’s degree from American University in 2021. She is an incoming summer associate at Taft Stettinius & Hollister in the Cincinnati office. Tyler is passionate about the field of employment law and creating inclusive spaces for communities of color in the workspace.  
 
 "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." — Alice Walker

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP | CRYSTAL OMADE

​
Crystal is a 2L J.D. Candidate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Originally from Prince Georges County, MD. She attended Towson University for her undergraduate degree in Business Administration. She will also be serving as the Social Chair of the LUC BLSA chapter and Lead Student Facilitator for Professional Identities Formation, and is eager to serve as Director of Membership. This summer she will be joining Albertsons Companies as an In-House Counsel associate, staying in the Chicago area. In her free time, she likes to travel with friends, shop, and sharpen her culinary skills.  


"What we do is more important than what we say or believe" - Bell Hooks 

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS | MAGDA PHILLIPS

Originating from Baltimore, Maryland, Magda Phillips is a third year Public Interest Law Scholar at Case Western Reserve University. Prior to law school, she attended the University of Baltimore, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Arts, specializing in Creative Writing. Magda previously served as the Social Events Chair for her local BLSA chapter as well as a competitor on their nationals qualifying Mock Trial team before becoming Director of Alumni Affairs. Beyond law school, Magda serves as President of the Board of Directors for Organizing Black (OB), which seeks to transform systems and institutions by collective, transparent, and authentic relationships based on mutuality, respect, and justice. She enjoys embarking on adventures with her friends and family, meeting new people, and attending music festivals.

“Even as you make progress, you need the discipline to keep from backtracking and sabotaging the success as it's happening.” -Nipsey Hussle

DIRECTOR OF THE PRE-LAW DIVISION| SABRINA WHITE

Sabrina White is a 2L at Loyola University College of Law. She is originally from the Chicago area. Outside of BLSA, Sabrina is heavily involved in "Stand Up For Each Other" (SUFEO), a student-run organization that provides assistance and resources veto students who experience discrimination within the Chicago land area.

"People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together." - Michelle Obama

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL ACTION | DELALI NENONENE

Delali Nenonene is a 2L at The Ohio State University Mortiz College of Law. Born and raised in Dayton, OH, he graduated from the University of Dayton with an honors degree in Political Science. Prior to serving as Director of Social Action for the MWBLSA board, he worked as a Board of Revisions clerk for the Montgomery County Auditor. While in undergrad, Delali interned for the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and United States Senator Sherrod Brown. He has also held leadership positions in numerous diversity initiatives and was named a Newman Civic Fellow in 2019. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, being outdoors and spending time with friends and family. 
 
“ A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of”- Nelson Mandela  

DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | ALEATHEA WILLIAMS

Aleathea Williams is a 3L at Chicago-Kent College of Law, interested in practicing within the public interest sector. Raised in both Chicago, Illinois and Kansas City, Missouri, she had dynamic experiences that taught her the importance of community, advocacy, and equity. Prior to law school she attended the University of Missouri - St. Louis, where she earned a B.A. in Political Science with minors in urban politics, american politics, and public policy. She decided to attend law school in Chicago to re-immerse herself in the community and advocate for the South Side. This past summer, she interned with the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, through the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI). Aleathea currently serves as the Secretary for Chicago-Kent’s Black Law Students Association, Intern Representative on PILI’s Board of Directors and is a part of the Chicago Lawyers Committee’s NextGen Leadership Council. As a first generation law student, Aleathea seeks to empower other aspiring law students to confidently immerse themselves in the law school experience and shape their journey outside of traditional standards. 
 
 “I am and always will be a catalyst for change.” - Shirley Chisholm 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MIDWEST JOURNAL OF LAW & POLICY | TIARA MCKEITHAN

Tiara McKeithan was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina Central University with her Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and Master's in Public Administration. She previously worked in the public sector and state government. She is a third-year law student at Southern Illinois University School of Law (SIU) and is the President of the Black Law Students Association. She is currently working for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission office as a SEC Scholar. Tiara joined the MJLP as EIC to assist others in cultivating their legal research and writing skills. The MJLP is a vessel of information that attorneys and those in the legal profession can use to help increase their knowledge of policy reform efforts and further the best interests of their clients. Her goal is to use the MJLP to amplify Black voices and issues of concern to Black people in hopes that her efforts will serve as an inspiration to everyone in the legal profession to join the call to raise the 5%. 

Vacant Positions

• Sub-Regional Director 1
• Director of Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition
• Parliamentarian