The Black Law Students Association held a January 17 dinner honoring Vanderbilt Law School’s first African American graduates, E. Melvin Porter ’59 and the late Fred Work ’59, along with Janie Greenwood Harris ’64, VLS’ first African American woman graduate.The event was held at Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz at their downtown Nashville office and co-sponsored by 10 additional law firms. More than 170 alumni, guests and representatives from sponsoring firms attended.
Photos by Susan Adcock
Current members of the BLSA gather at the January 17 event.BLSA alumni who currently serve as judges were honored, including William Haynes ’73 (left), Richard Dinkins ’77, Sheila Calloway ’94 (BA’91), Brian Stacy Miller ’95, Cherron Payne ’01 and Mattielyn Williams ’82.Joel Porter, Melvin Porter’s son, thanks the crowd for honoring his father.Walter Searcy ’85 and Joyce Searcy (MS’78).Surrounded by family, Beverly Work holds the plaque honoring her late husband, Fred Work ’59. Honoree Janie Greenwood Harris ’64 and Dr. Harold Bernard.Lora Chowdhury ’17, Samiyyah Ali ’16, Marian Mikhail ’17 and Chastity Bobo’15.BLSA alumni Kyonzte Hughes-Toombs ’04 (BA’01), Yanika Smith-Bartley ’02, Brian Bartley and Sharon Woodson ’02.Janie Greenwood Harris ’64 receives her honor from Kendra Key ’15. Dean Chris Guthrie welcomed alumni and guests and introduced the honorees.
