University of Oklahoma College of Law Students Attend Annual Congressional Black Caucus Meeting

Media Contact: 
Mackenzie A. Dilbeck
(405) 325-2227
mdilbeck@ou.edu

NORMAN — Last month, for the second consecutive year, the University of Oklahoma College of Law sent a group of students to the Annual Congressional Black Caucus and National Black Law Student Association Retreat in Washington D.C.

Each year the Congressional Black Caucus hosts a series of meetings to match young and aspiring professionals with seasoned national politicians. OU Law students had the opportunity to meet many public servants, including Vice President Joe Biden. The meeting also afforded them the chance to be briefed on key national issues and concerns.  

“It is the intent of OU College of Law to do everything possible to prepare our young lawyers to have a positive and informed impact in our state and in our nation,” said OU Law Dean Joseph Harroz Jr. “Having a strong policy of sending rising lawyers to events like this helps them connect with important issues as they begin their law careers.” 
    
The student group consisted of second and third year students and included Emmanuel Charles, Sara Rollan, Natalie Soas and Desiree Singer. Washington D.C. area OU Law alumni, Michelle Millben (’09) and Rayshon Payton (’13), also attended the conference. Millben and Payton work in the White House and with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, respectively. 

Attending conferences like the Annual Congressional Black Caucus Meeting expands the students’ understanding of the national scene and increases their ability to secure employment upon graduation.   
     
“This was a groundbreaking event; a one-of-a-kind for OU’s African American law students and others who received this opportunity,” said second-year OU Law student Natalie Soas. “The vision of the OU Law administration to send students to a leadership retreat was greatly appreciated.”
    
As these students complete their education at OU Law, retreats of this type connect them with national leaders and first-hand information on central issues will make them better lawyers. 

Singer and Rollan plan to remain in Oklahoma to start their law practices upon graduation.