About the committee
The Mission of the Diversity Committee is to foster all forms of diversity within NACDL’s membership and throughout the legal profession. The Diversity Committee will accomplish this Mission in three ways. First, the Diversity Committee will pursue this Mission by welcoming all people without regard to race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, faith, physical ability, politics, or any other meaningful characteristic. Second, the Diversity Committee will achieve its Mission by focusing on increasing the inclusion of historically marginalized segments of our society. Finally, the Diversity Committee will effectuate its Mission by evolving with the changing notions of diversity. This Mission is rooted in NACDL’s commitment to being an all-inclusive community of criminal defense lawyers, and to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal justice system, and redressing systemic racism, and ensuring that its members and others in the criminal defense bar are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.
To join the diversity committee as it plans further events and outreach, email us at justin@justinrosas.com
"The Path to Justice: A Party with Meaning"
NACDL's Diversity Committee hosted an event at Austin's Victory Grill on February 23, 2022. NACDL members, local law students and community organizers for a party dedicated to promoting racial justice in Austin and throughout our country attended.
The Victory Grill
The Victory Grill is one of the most historic night clubs in the Austin area. A city that has traditionally redlined its black and brown citizens in a state with a record of systemic racism, the Victory Grill is indeed one of the true victories of the 1940s. Representing the beating heart of the criminal defense attorney, the Victory opened a safe space for people to be truly themselves in the heart of Texas. We hope you will join us there to celebrate the work those who have come before us have done and reflect on the work we have left to do.
The ramshackle structure on East 11th Street is made up of the stuff of segregationera legend. Opened in 1945 by Johnny Holmes, it’s one of only a few original Chitlin’ Circuit nightclubs remaining in the country, which means it was a spot where African- Americans could freely and safely enjoy eats, drinks and smokes while dancing the night away to some of the most sought-after blues, jazz, R&B and soul performers of the time. Louis Armstrong, Ike and Tina Turner, B.B. King, Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin are among the acts who played there. Today, the joint is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to host music acts while serving as a venue for various community events.
