“The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association”

The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association wad Founded in 1980 by a group of African American attorneys. The association is an outlet for African American attorneys in the entertainment and sports industry to share information, and stay abreast on industry opportunities, while offering support to one another in this very competitive field.

BESLA’s mission is “ An international organization of lawyers and other entertainment and sports industry executives that supports a more diversified, expert and informed group of entertainment and sports industry professionals”. BESLA has the purpose to influence equal economic and decision-making for these legal and creative talent representatives as well as develop business relationships, and facilitate business affairs and opportunities for people of color.

One of the biggest activities for BESLA is their annual conference. This year will be the 32^nd annual conference. The conference is a networking opportunity but also a chance to extend there purpose. The conference is filled with workshops, seminars and scholarship awarding to students pursuing entertainment law. This years conference is October 24, 12 – October 28, 12 in The Bahamas. They offer opportunities for students, practicing attorneys, and non-members to attend.

Activities like this influence the entertainment industry by allowing opportunity for more young people of color to aspire the role of an entertainment attorney. It’s also a way for students like myself to help aid to our professional learning network. Being surrounded and mentored by some of the best in the industry that you can relate to on many levels is an opportunity not worth passing up. BESLA gives opportunity for African American Attorneys to equally dominate the industry of entertainment and sports.  It’s also a educational resource to learn from the best in the industry and share knowledge among others that have the same interest.

To find out more info about the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association visit http://www.besla.org/