News Archive

IU McKinney students honored their peers and alumni for commitment to diversity during the ninth annual Diversity Dinner. The event took place April 8 in the Deer Pavilion at Newfields. It is the work of the Black Law Students Association, Hispanic Law Society, Asian Law Students Association, and Lambda Legal Society.

The theme for the event was “No More Firsts: Moving towards a New Normal.” The theme was inspired by the evening’s keynote speaker, the Honorable Myra C. Selby. She is a partner at Ice Miller and was the first woman and first African American to serve on the Indiana Supreme Court.

The students presented “Champion of Diversity” honors to four individuals during the event. These awards honor “exceptional students and professionals who have demonstrated a substantial commitment to increasing representation and creating affirming spaces through their respective roles and volunteering efforts.” Recipients of these honors are:

Enrique Flores, ’07, is an attorney at Flores Law. Flores serves as a mentor in the ABA’s Pathways to the Profession program, which pairs minority alumni of IU McKinney with current minority law students and undergraduate students who wish to pursue a legal education. He holds many leadership positions in the Indianapolis Bar Association, including vice president, the first chairperson of the new Hispanic Lawyers Committee, chair-elect of the executive committee of the litigation section, and the Commission on Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “His dedication to the empowerment of the next generation of legal leaders speaks to why he was nominated for this award,” the awards program notes.

Taylor Webster, a 3L who will graduate in May 2022. Webster serves as vice president of the Student Bar Association and previously served as secretary of Graduate and Professional Student Government. She was honored for her intense work with university leaders to advocate for programs that make a difference for diversity and inclusion. “During her time as a law student, she has engaged various campus leaders to support student needs,” the awards program reads.

Shelley Jackson, ’07, is a partner at Krieg Devault and the co-founder of Indy Lawyers for Black Lives, a non-profit dedicated to leveraging resources within the legal community to achieve racial justice and inclusion. Jackson also serves on the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Commission on Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “She is also an invested mentor to her law student mentees and can be credited with elevating students’ voices and encouraging her colleagues to provide leadership opportunities for students to serve the Indianapolis legal community,” the awards program notes.

Fariraishe Muzondo is a 3L who will graduate in May 2022. Muzondo serves as the graduate assistant for the IUPUI Multicultural Center while attending law school and working full time. She is originally from Zimbabwe and has served as the vice president for the International Law Society and serves as secretary for the Black Law Students Association. “Her dedication to preserving culture, thoughtful awareness of organizational needs, and school-wide education initiatives is deserving of recognition and this award,” the awards program read.

In the photo Myra Selby (center) and organizers (from left) Richard Okello, Jessica Venters, Bryan Ayers, and Chitra Ram.