Black History Month celebrations at the Law Society of Upper Canada - Lawyers and communities working together to empower youth

24 February 2006

Ontario Chief Justice Roy McMurtry, Justice Kofi Barnes of the Ontario Court of Justice and lawyers Roger Rowe and Denise Dwyer headlined a public forum today at the Law Society of Upper Canada on how lawyers and communities can work together to assist at-risk youth. The forum provided information about resources in the community available to youth, parents, teachers, lawyers and youth advocates, how these resources can help and how they can be accessed.

The forum, a joint presentation of the Law Society and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), addressed issues and challenges faced by youth at home, at school and in the community. Panelists discussed initiatives in the justice system that promote community engagement and help young people who are at-risk. The panel also provided mentoring advice to the students in attendance.

"Since 1886, when Delos Rogest Davies became the first Black lawyer to be called to the bar in Ontario, Black lawyers have made notable contributions in law, in our justice system and in our communities," notes Acting Treasurer Clayton Ruby. "The Law Society is pleased to once again partner with CABL to honour these valuable members of our community, to promote equity and diversity in the legal profession and increase awareness and understanding of social justice issues."

Workshops were also held for lawyers, community service providers and youth to examine community-based programs and their effectiveness at empowering and supporting youth in schools, at home and in the community.

"Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions made by the Black community to Canadian society," says Frank Walwyn, President of CABL. "It is also a stark reminder of injustices which have been overcome and progress which has yet to be made. We see this highlighted in the discussions today regarding at-risk youth. There remains much work to be done by CABL, and organizations such as ours. CABL values the continued contribution of The Law Society of Upper Canada to this work. CABL is pleased to partner with them again during Black History Month in our collective efforts to bring equity and diversity issues to the minds of the legal profession and to the community at large."

The Law Society holds a series of public legal education forums throughout the year to encourage the exchange of information, ideas and action on issues relating to the rights and needs of equality-seeking communities. For more information on the Law Society's public education events, please visit the Law Society's website at: www.lsuc.on.ca.

The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) is a national network of law professionals and other individuals who are committed to reinvesting in the community. CABL works to enhance the fabric of Canadian society by facilitating the increased representation of Black Canadians in all sectors of the legal profession and by promoting the advancement of legal and social justice for all Canadians. Learn more about CABL online at: www.cabl.ca.

For further information: Media contacts: Heather MacDonnell, Law Society of Upper Canada, Phone: (416) 947-7605, E-mail: hmacdonn@lsuc.on.ca, Web: www.lsuc.on.ca; Sue-Lynn Noel, Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, Phone: (416) 848-4736, E-mail: snoel@owenswright.com, Web: www.cabl.ca; Archived images on this organization are searchable through CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media.

Source: newswire

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