Law Student to Be Honored for Community Service

A UB law student will receive a distinguished award this weekend for her extensive community service.

Monique Blackwood, a second-year UB law student, will be presented with the second annual Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize Saturday at the 21st annual awards dinner for the Minority Bar Association of Western New York.

The award, created by Vikki L. Prior, president and chief executive officer of Savings Bank Life Insurance Mutual Life Insurance Company, is awarded to a black UB law student who has shown "academic achievement and professional promise during their first year of law school," according to an SBLI USA press release.

The insurance company will award Blackwood $5,000 at the dinner and invited her parents and sister to the event, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Buffalo.

"I'm very grateful to be receiving the award," she said. "It will allow me to continue my academic goals."

Blackwood, who received her bachelor's degree from Cornell University, has spent many hours in community service activities, including work in soup kitchens and day care facilities.

Most recently, Blackwood has worked as an intern in the Bronx District Attorney's office. This adds to a resume that includes working for an advocacy group providing free legal help to foster children.

Blackwood has also worked in the Office of Management and Budget for the City of New York.

Following law school, Blackwood hopes to work as a trial attorney.

Those who know Blackwood say she is very qualified for the distinction, in light of her academic performance and her work in the community.

"She's really impressive," said Lisa Patterson, associate dean for Career Services at UB School of Law. "I've met with her several times. She's right on top of things, very professional. She's a real tribute to lawyers, and I wish all lawyers would turn out like Monique."

"I think she's a wonderful choice," said Alan Carrel, vice dean of administration at UB law. "She had the best academic record and shows professional promise. Monique Blackwood was, without question, (the person) who should receive this award."

"It's nice for the law school that someone of her overall abilities is receiving this award," Carrel added.

Blackwood said her desire to perform community service grew out of her own experience as a student.

"I had a mentor in high school," she said. "Hopefully I can go back and become a mentor myself."

The Ivy League-educated law student from the Bronx also has advice for aspiring minority students who want to enter law.

"Work hard, persevere and don't give up," said Blackwood. "You have goals. Try and achieve them through hard work and dedication. You also have to take advantages of the opportunities that are out there."

The annual prize, now in its second year, is awarded in the name of Marie Nesbitt, a great-granddaughter of slaves, who the SBLI USA press release states was an "inspiration to everyone with whom she came in contact."