Minority Leadership Development Award

Purpose

The Minority Leadership Development Award was created in 2001 to nurture leaders for the future and to introduce minority law librarians to leadership opportunities within the Association. The Award shall consist of the following benefits: travel, lodging, and registration expenses for one recipient to attend the AALL Annual Meeting & Conference; an experienced AALL leader to serve as the recipient’s mentor for at least one year; and an opportunity for the recipient to serve on any standing AALL committee during the leadership year (July to July) beginning one year after the Award.

Process

Qualifications

As of the application deadline, the applicant must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for the award:

  • Be a member of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines as found in 62 F.R. 58782;
  • Have a strong academic record and have earned a Master’s degree in Library/Information Science;
  • Have no more than five years of professional (post-MLS or post-JD) library or information service work experience;
  • Be a current member of AALL;
  • Have been a member of AALL for at least two years or have two years of full-time, professional law library work experience; and
  • Demonstrate leadership potential.

Application Information

The complete application package must be received by March 1, 2024 and will be eligible for review for two consecutive annual award cycles. Please email the application and supporting documents to Ashley Laverty.

Download the Minority Leadership Development Award Application

Submit an application package containing:

  • Completed application form
  • A current resume or c.v.
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your law library employment experience or relevant graduate education commenting on your present and potential contributions to AALL and the field of law librarianship
  • A brief (500- to 1000-word) essay on how your career has been influenced by belonging to a minority group and how you hope to impact the profession and the Association as you become a leader

Resources

Find tips for writing effective personal statements and having references write strong letters of recommendation:

Recipients

  • 2020 - 2023

    2023

    Rebecca Chapman
    Undergraduate Law Outreach Librarian & Indigenous Outreach Librarian
    The University at Buffalo State University of New York
    Charles B. Sears Law Library
    Buffalo, NY

    2022

    Ana Rosa Ramirez Toft-Nielsen
    Professional Development Innovation Manager
    Greenberg Traurig
    Miami, FL

    2021

    Mandy Lee
    Research & Instructional Services Librarian
    Chicago-Kent College of Law Library
    Chicago, IL

    2020

    Heather Hummons
    Head of Access Services/Adjunct Faculty
    DePaul University College of Law
    Rinn Law Library
    Chicago, IL

  • 2010 - 2019

    2019

    Marcelo Rodriguez
    Research and Training Librarian
    U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
    New York, NY

    2018

    Zanada Joyner
    Digital Services Librarian
    North Carolina Central University
    School of Law Library
    Durham, NC

    2017

    Clanitra Stewart Nejdl
    Reference & Instructional Services Librarian and Assistant Professor
    Northern Illinois University College of Law Library
    DeKalb, IL

    2016

    Janeen Williams
    Reference Librarian
    North Carolina Central University
    Durham, NC

    2015

    Daniella Mia Lee-Garcia
    Librarian Ninth Circuit Library
    United States Court of Appeals
    Fresno, CA

    2014

    Stephanie Hayes
    Assistant Director for Resources
    Florida State University College of Law Research Center
    Tallahassee, FL

    2013

    Ann Lee
    Knowledge Management Content Coordinator
    Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    New York, NY

    2012

    Eugenia J. Charles-Newton
    Faculty Services Librarian
    Texas Tech University School of Law
    Lubbock, TX

    2011

    Michelle Cosby
    Faculty Services Librarian
    North Carolina Central University School of Law Library
    Durham, NC

    2010

    Sean H. Crane
    University of Arizona, Cracchiolo Law Library

  • 2002 - 2009

    2009

    None awarded

    2008

    Lauren Collins
    Duke University School of Law Library

    2007

    Dennis C. Kim-Prieto
    Reference Librarian
    Rutgers School of Law-Newark
    Newark, NJ

    2006

    Joy Shoemaker (Hanson)
    Duke University Law Library
    Durham, NC

    2005

    Ronald E. Wheeler Jr.
    Head of Faculty and Public Services, Lecturer III
    University of New Mexico Law Library
    Albuquerque, NM

    2004

    June S. Kim
    Reference Librarian
    UCLA School of Law, Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library
    Los Angeles, California

    2003

    Christopher Bloodworth
    Access Services Librarian
    Arthur Neef Law Library
    Wayne State University
    Detroit, MI

    2002

    Tanya Brown
    Head Librarian
    Spiegel & McdDiarmid
    Washington, DC

    Donna Nixon
    Reference Librarian
    Katherine W. Everett Law Library
    University of North Carolina
    Chapel Hill, NC