Celebrating Diversity during King Week

Every spring, I look forward to King Week, an annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., hosted at King Hall by the UC Davis Black Law Students Association during the week following the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  The week’s events always include outstanding guest speakers, and this year has been no exception.  On January 18, I thoroughly enjoyed having a chance to reconnect with my friend Leonard M. Baynes, a Professor of Law at St. John's University School of Law, who spoke on "Diversifying the Legal Profession.”  Also visiting the Law School as guest speakers during King Week were Judge Diana Becton, Presiding Judge of the Contra Costa County Superior Court, and criminal defense attorney Keith Staten. 

This year, King Week happened to coincide with the Law School’s Principles of Community event, a reaffirmation of the King Hall community’s commitment to the ideals of civility, appreciation for diversity, justice, and respect outlined in the UC Davis Principles of Community.  The event, held on January 19 in the King Hall lobby, drew an impressive turnout of about 50 faculty, students, and staff.  I delivered opening remarks and introduced UC Davis Associate Executive Vice Chancellor Rahim Reed and Law Students Association President Scott Vignos, who also spoke.  It was a terrific event, and I was very pleased to see so many friends and colleagues turn out to show support for the Principles of Community.  Thanks to everyone who attended!

Principles of Diversity