NCCU Hosts 13th Annual HBCU Pre-Law Summit, Drawing Aspiring Black Lawyers Nationwide

North Carolina Central University School of Law served as the centerpiece of the 13th Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit & Law Expo, held September 24–27, 2026, in the Raleigh-Durham area. The event drew hundreds of students, alumni, judges, attorneys, and law school representatives from across the country, reinforcing NCCU's role as a national anchor for Black legal education and professional development.

A Pipeline Built on Purpose

Founded in 2014 by Evangeline M. Mitchell, Esq., Ed.M., the National HBCU Pre-Law Summit was created to address a persistent gap: while HBCU graduates make up a significant share of Black attorneys and judges in the United States, many HBCU students lack access to the networks, mentorship, and strategic guidance that ease the path to law school.

The summit has grown steadily since its founding, and the 2026 edition — the 13th — brought together more than 102 participating law schools and legal organizations. Durham was a fitting host city. NCCU's law school, established in 1939 as the only in-state option for African Americans to receive a formal legal education in North Carolina, has produced generations of Black lawyers, judges, and public servants.

Four Days of Programming

The summit opened on September 24 with law school tours at four institutions: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campbell University, Duke University, and NCCU itself. The tours gave prospective students a firsthand look at campus culture, facilities, and academic programs.

Core programming on September 25 and 26 took place at the NCCU Student Center in Durham. Sessions included a Law Expo featuring law school admissions representatives and legal employers, mock law school classes, film screenings, and small-group workshops on LSAT preparation and application strategy. A Pre-Law Advisement Clinic offered one-on-one guidance for students at various stages of the admissions process.

The summit concluded on September 27 with an optional North Carolina Black History and Culture Tour, connecting participants to the region's rich legacy of Black civic and legal achievement.

Keynote Speakers and Hall of Fame Honorees

The 2026 summit featured a distinguished roster of keynote speakers, including The Honorable Camille Banks Prince, Chief Judge Keisha Wright Hill, The Honorable Shamieka LaCher Rhinehart, and The Honorable Teresa Raquel Robinson Freeman, among others.

The event also recognized five individuals through its Hall of Fame program. Honorees included A. Scott Bolden, Xavier R. Donaldson, S. Lee Merritt, and Otto O. Meyers III. DeWarren K. Langley received a Posthumous Legacy Award, honoring his contributions to the Black legal community.

NCCU's Enduring Mission

NCCU School of Law has long operated at the intersection of legal education and social justice. Its clinical programs — spanning domestic violence, family law, criminal defense, and small business development — provide students with hands-on experience serving underserved communities. The school's Legal Legends Oral History Video Project preserves the stories of Black legal pioneers, ensuring that institutional memory is passed to future generations.

The selection of NCCU as a summit host was intentional. Durham, historically recognized as a hub of Black entrepreneurship and economic power, provided a meaningful backdrop for a gathering dedicated to expanding Black representation in the legal profession.

Why Representation Matters

The legal profession remains one of the least racially diverse in the United States. According to the American Bar Association, Black attorneys represent approximately 5 percent of all lawyers in the country — a figure that has changed little over the past two decades. Events like the HBCU Pre-Law Summit are designed to move that number by reaching students early, demystifying the law school admissions process, and building community among those who might otherwise navigate the path alone.

For North Carolina, where the Black population represents more than 22 percent of residents, increasing the number of Black attorneys is not only a matter of professional equity — it is a matter of access to justice. Black communities across the state continue to face disparities in criminal prosecution, housing, employment, and civil legal representation. A more diverse bar is better equipped to address those disparities.

The 13th Annual HBCU Pre-Law Summit at NCCU offered a concrete step in that direction — one student, one connection, one conversation at a time.