To: Black Law Students Association in Florida and Puerto Rico

March 30, 2006


Greetings Florida and Puerto Rico!

I AM VERY EXCITED! The Southern Region of the National Black Law Students Association is poised for the new school year. As the largest sub-division within SRBLSA, I greet you Florida and Puerto Rico. I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities before us. I encourage everyone to take ownership within this Region. Let’s consider how we can make great things out of the connections we have with one another, our respective universities and all of their students. There is no other time but now to make the presence and voice of current BLSA members, friends and students prevalent throughout the southern and national region. My name is Nneka Uzodinma and I am your new Southern Regional Director for Florida and Puerto Rico.

When I ran for the position of SRBLSA Director for Region 4, I told the honorable delegates at the Southern Regional Convention that I would start with a simple letter. One of the biggest concerns from our members and within the Southern Region is the lack of communication available to all 14 schools that we represent. I have to tell you that while at the convention, I was hit with exactly what AG (on the BLOG of the national site 6/15/05) meant when he/she stated “It’s Bigger Than You.” Well folks, we are here for a purpose and indeed, it is bigger than all of us. My plan is to keep you informed about what the National Black Law Students and the Southern Region have in store. To that endeavor, I have created a Blog site dedicated to the Southern Region for Florida and Puerto Rico. The web address is: http://srblsaregion4.blogspot.com/.

I would like to welcome every member of the each individual chapter within Florida and Puerto Rico to check out the site. The site is filled with great links to each school and also professional organizations. I will be updating the Blog with more information as it becomes available. I encourage all BLSA local presidents to please send me information that you would like to see added to the Blog. This is just the beginning in my approach to keep the communication lines open. I want each chapter to know that I am available to each individual member.

Some of my goals for this year will mirror those of other regions and follow in line with the goals of the National organization. They include the following: (1) increasing the amount of attendees at Southern Regional activities, especially the Southern Regional Convention, (2) increasing the overall participation in the Marshall and Douglass competitions, (3) bridging the gap between local chapters and the national organization, (4) building community amongst NBLSA members in the Southern Region, and (5) to that extent making an affirmative move to connect with our four sister schools in Puerto Rico- Eugenio Maria De Hostos School of Law, Inter American University School of Law, Pontifical Catholic University School of Law, and University of Puerto Rico School of Law.

A special message for our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico:
WE MISS YOU! One of my main goals is to have you join us at the Southern Regional Convention and the President’s Roundtable. Please contact me as soon as possible so what we can assist you in whatever way that we can. We hope to hear from you soon!

A bold new initiative I intend to implement is the SRBLSA Region 4 President’s Roundtable. The tentative destination: Miami, Florida. The main purpose of the roundtable is 1) to provide presidents of 14 chapters of BLSA an opportunity to meet their counterparts in order to provide a forum for sharing ideas and suggestions between student leaders within the Florida and Puerto Rico region and 2) to ensure open communication and enhance and improve the quality of student life. The president’s roundtable will facilitate discussions on scholarships, minority student and faculty recruitment and retention, innovative academic programs within the region and local chapters, special capital projects, and other needs and opportunities that are vital to each local BLSA chapter. The president’s roundtable shall follow similar formatting to the Academic Retreat; however, it will be limited to either Presidents and/or Vice-Presidents of the local BLSA organizations only. (Please feel free to suggest dates.)

Speaking of dates, they are fast approaching and we want to hear from you, our local chapters. The first meeting date for the new e-board of SRBLSA is scheduled for May 26-28 in Birmingham, AL. The date for the Southern Region’s job fair is currently being scheduled and planned. Please visit the Blog listed above for future updates and of course you are always welcome to contact me directly. Also please send me as soon as possible the following:
· The new 2006-2007 board with specific contact information
· Your address listed for your local BLSA
· Your advisor and their email.
If you have sent this information to me directly, then ignore this request. We have great plans for the Region and I have wonderful ideas for Florida and Puerto Rico. Please feel free to use me as a source to aid in anything you need.

Let me reiterate, I am excited!

I honestly believe that WE can move Region 4 and the association as a whole. Prove me right by your actions during this up coming year. I look forward to working with each of you. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any SRBLSA business, or need further information please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,

Nneka Uzodinma
University of Miami School of Law
2L
SRBLSA Sub Regional Director
(Florida, Puerto Rico)