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Dear Members and Friends,
It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association. As one of the largest and most active specialty bar associations in Maryland, our mission is to advance African Americans in the legal profession, seek justice, and serve our communities. For nearly five decades, the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association has made an indelible impact across Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and the broader state of Maryland. Our theme for this bar year, “Unity in Pursuing Justice,” reflects our unwavering commitment to these principles.
Our Association has a rich history of promoting legal excellence, professional advancement, and meaningful community service. We are committed to increasing African American participation in the study and practice of law, safeguarding the contributions of African American lawyers in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, and supporting the next generation of legal professionals through mentorship and continuing legal education programs.
Service remains a cornerstone of our mission. Our community initiatives include expungement clinics, voter education drives, scholarship awards, and the annual oratorical competition, which helps students build confidence and public speaking skills. We also participate in Christmas in April, charity walks, collect blankets for breast cancer patients during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and testify before the General Assembly on issues impacting our communities. These efforts reflect our belief that the legal profession has a duty not only to the courtroom, but to the communities we are privileged to serve.
Collaboration and engagement are essential to our work. We partner with civic, legal, and nonprofit organizations to educate and empower the public while addressing legal issues that disproportionately affect African Americans. Through seminars, public forums, and outreach initiatives, we aim to advance equity, justice, and access to the law for all.
I encourage every member to actively engage in our programs and initiatives. Together, we can continue to uphold the legacy of J. Franklyn Bourne and make enduring contributions to the legal profession and our community.
Very truly yours,
Chandra Walker Holloway, Esquire