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2019-2020 Officers
Kimberley Ann Ward FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President
June 3, 2020
Carlton D. Watson
President-Elect
STRAKER BAR ASSOCIAION STANDS AGAINST
Mikai J. Green INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM
Secretary
Michael Everett Hall The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association reaffirms its commitment to stand against
Treasurer institutionalized racism and abject racial bigotry in this country. In light of the recent
Immediate Past President horrifying and unjust killing of George Floyd by a white Minnesota police officer,
Tiffany Buckley-Norwood Straker is compelled to issue this statement to condemn racism in all of its insidious
forms, especially the inhumane treatment of African Americans.
Board of Directors
Dandridge Floyd
Hon. Kameshia D. Gant Our organization not only strives for greater representation of African Americans in
Matthew High the legal profession, we are also dedicated to our community. At the heart of our
Toya Jefferson pledge for justice, we are devoted to obliterating violence perpetrated against black
Vassal Johnson, II people. The increased violence against African Americans by law enforcement and
Mylika Johnson Radford
Michael Lamb others throughout the United States, including the recent violent attacks in Minnesota,
Toi Thomas Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Missouri, Florida, Wisconsin, and our own state of
Allen Venable Michigan, must end! We are called to do more than just strive for equality in the
Heather Washington courts. We must collectively renew our commitment to the preservation of basic
Past Presidents human rights for all.
Vassal Johnson, II
Kymberly N. Kinchen Indeed, as Thurgood Marshall so eloquently put it nearly three decades ago:
Aaron V. Burrell
Michael K. Jackson, II
Rasul M. Raheem We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the
Erica P. Bell apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust. We
Stephanie D. Jones must dissent from a nation that has buried its head in the sand, waiting
Myron J. Lloyd
Solon M. Phillips in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear
Ahmad M. Roby and just blow away… We must dissent from the poverty of vision and
Timothy T. Gardner, Jr. the absence of moral leadership. We must dissent because America
Veronica R. Leonard can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.
Erika L. Butler
Steven G. Cozart
Angelique Strong Marks We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are resisting racial injustice
Frederick D. Toca and peacefully protesting the abuse of power that is decimating black communities
Michael K. Lee throughout the nation. We denounce all violence towards communities of color and
Danon D. Goodrum
Sharri R. Phillips we call on our membership to mobilize at this critical time in our country’s history.
Stephon E. Johnson Collectively, we cannot and will not sit idly by while our people are senselessly killed
David A. Perkins in the streets. We must act now to protect our civil rights and the bounds of human
Keith J. Norman
Vanessa A. Miree-Mays decency. Our country and the freedom it promises each of us depends on it.
Avery K. Williams
Michael A. Stevenson
A. Kay Stanfield-Spinks
Terrance A. Keith
22200 W. Eleven Mile Road #357, Southfield, MI 48037 ▲ www.strakerlaw.org