Purpose
The Minority Leadership Development Award was created in 2001 to nurture leaders for the future and to introduce minority law librarians to leadership opportunities within the Association. The Award shall consist of the following benefits: travel, lodging, and registration expenses for one recipient to attend the 黑料社Annual Meeting & Conference; an experienced 黑料社leader to serve as the recipient鈥檚 mentor for at least one year; and an opportunity for the recipient to serve on any standing 黑料社committee during the leadership year (July to July) beginning one year after the Award.
Process
Qualifications
As of the application deadline, the applicant must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for the award:
- Be a member of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines as found in ;
- Have a strong academic record and have earned a Master’s degree in Library/Information Science;
- Have no more than five years of professional (post-MLS or post-JD) library or information service work experience;
- Be a current member of AALL;
- Have been a member of 黑料社for at least two years or have two years of full-time, professional law library work experience; and
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
Application Information
The complete application package must be received by聽March 1, 2025 and will be eligible for review for聽two consecutive annual award cycles. Please email the application and supporting documents to Jennifer Wahl.
Download the Minority Leadership Development Award Application
Submit an application package containing:
- Completed application form
- A current resume or c.v.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your law library employment experience or relevant graduate education commenting on your present and potential contributions to 黑料社and the field of law librarianship
- A brief (500- to 1000-word) essay on how your career has been influenced by belonging to a minority group and how you hope to impact the profession and the Association as you become a leader
Resources
Find tips for writing effective personal statements and having references write strong letters of recommendation:
- “Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Writing effective personal statements for 黑料社Annual Meeting/workshop grants” by Michele Finerty
- “Lending a Hand: Suggestions for writing better letters of recommendation for 黑料社Annual Meeting/workshop grants” by Pauline Afuso
Recipients
2020 - 2024 2024
Devan A. Orr
Foreign and International Reference Librarian
William & Mary Law School
Williamsburg, VA2023
Rebecca Chapman
Undergraduate Law Outreach Librarian & Indigenous Outreach Librarian
The University at Buffalo State University of New York
Charles B. Sears Law Library
Buffalo, NY2022
Ana Rosa Ramirez Toft-Nielsen
Professional Development Innovation Manager
Greenberg Traurig
Miami, FL2021
Mandy Lee
Research & Instructional Services Librarian
Chicago-Kent College of Law Library
Chicago, IL2020
Heather Hummons
Head of Access Services/Adjunct Faculty
DePaul University College of Law
Rinn Law Library
Chicago, IL2010 - 2019 2019
Marcelo Rodriguez
Research and Training Librarian
U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
New York, NY2018
Zanada Joyner
Digital Services Librarian
North Carolina Central University
School of Law Library
Durham, NC2017
Clanitra Stewart Nejdl
Reference & Instructional Services Librarian and Assistant Professor
Northern Illinois University College of Law Library
DeKalb, IL2016
Janeen Williams
Reference Librarian
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC2015
Daniella Mia Lee-Garcia
Librarian Ninth Circuit Library
United States Court of Appeals
Fresno, CA2014
Stephanie Hayes
Assistant Director for Resources
Florida State University College of Law Research Center
Tallahassee, FL2013
Ann Lee
Knowledge Management Content Coordinator
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
New York, NY2012
Eugenia J. Charles-Newton
Faculty Services Librarian
Texas Tech University School of Law
Lubbock, TX2011
Michelle Cosby
Faculty Services Librarian
North Carolina Central University School of Law Library
Durham, NC2010
Sean H. Crane
University of Arizona, Cracchiolo Law Library2002 - 2009 2009
None awarded
2008
Lauren Collins
Duke University School of Law Library2007
Dennis C. Kim-Prieto
Reference Librarian
Rutgers School of Law-Newark
Newark, NJ2006
Joy Shoemaker (Hanson)
Duke University Law Library
Durham, NC2005
Ronald E. Wheeler Jr.
Head of Faculty and Public Services, Lecturer III
University of New Mexico Law Library
Albuquerque, NM2004
June S. Kim
Reference Librarian
UCLA School of Law, Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library
Los Angeles, California2003
Christopher Bloodworth
Access Services Librarian
Arthur Neef Law Library
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI2002
Tanya Brown
Head Librarian
Spiegel & McdDiarmid
Washington, DCDonna Nixon
Reference Librarian
Katherine W. Everett Law Library
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC