Welcome to Region IX!

Region IX is one of the largest and most geographically diverse of the twelve regions that compose the NBA, the country’s oldest and largest predominantly African American bar association. Region IX is made up of more than a dozen local affiliates throughout the western United States. Its goals include combating attacks on affirmative action and the promotion of diversity; encouraging law firm and corporate diversity initiatives; advocating judicial appointments for African-American judges at all levels of the judiciary; and strengthening the links between affiliate organizations within the Region. Please join us as we strive to meet those goals!

2007 Convention Report:
For those of you who joined us this summer at the NBA Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, you know that Region IX faired quite well!   This year's convention had the largest turnout in the history of the NBA, with Region IX leading the number of delegates at the convention. With your support, Region IX was able to host a suite for the entire week, which allowed us to caucus, network and of course have a bit of fun.

Past Region IX Director Demetrius Shelton ran for one of the NBA's three Vice-President seats (five individuals were in the running). Demetrius won one of the two-year term seats. The other two-year term seat went to Pamela Boston and the one-year term seat went to Sonya Hoskins.  Rodney Moore, of Atlanta, Georgia (formerly of San Jose, CA and a past CABL President) won the seat of Pres-Elect.  Rodney will be installed as President at next year's convention in Houston, Texas.

Other convention highlights -  Melissa Brown was elected Secretary of the Young Lawyers Division, and CHBA president Kimberli Evans was elected to be on the NBA Board as one of seven affiliate representatives.  Regional Director Danielle Ochs-Tillotson was awarded the outstanding section award for leading the Labor & Employment Section.

Our newly elected Region IX Board is as follows:

Danielle Ochs-Tillotson, Regional Director (Oakland, CA)

Rozenia Cummings, Deputy Regional Director (Oakland, CA)

Ugochi Anaebere - Secretary (Los Angeles, CA)

Travis Buchanan - Treasurer (Las Vegas, Nevada)

The following Region IX appointments were made:

Website Chair - Sharon Brown (Los Angeles, CA)

Newsletter Chair - Antoinette Davis (Seattle, WA)

The following Region IX committees were established - please let us know if you are interested in joining a committee:

Business Development Committee
Annual Regional Meeting Committee (held in conjunction with CABL meeting in Bay Area in April/May 2008)
MLK Competition Subcommittee (held at Annual Meeting)
CLE Subcommittee

This year, we will be holding four (4) Regional Council teleconferences. Each affiliate will be expected to participate through its presidential and/or a representative and to provide a brief report of its activities.  Upcoming meetings are as follows:

Friday, 6/20/08 9:00 a.m.

We also encourage each affiliate to prepare submissions and pictures for the Region IX quarterly newsletter. Newsletter submissions and pictures are due as follows:

Friday, 6/6/08 (Published 6/27/08)

Thank you for your continued support of Region IX! We look forward to an exciting bar year.