PRESIDENT: Priscilla Samey

Priscilla is the 2020-2021 President of Harvard BPLA. Priscilla is a senior in Leverett House, pursuing a degree in Social Studies with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. She is from Minneapolis, MN and outside of BPLA is heavily involved in the Kuumba Singers, the oldest black organization on Harvard's campus, and in the Institute of Politics where her focus is in the Politics of Race and Ethnicity, especially its intersection with health disparities. Since starting at Harvard, Priscilla has spent her summers interning with a Senator in her home state, helping to motivate disenfranchised communities to vote, and in London doing research for her senior thesis which analyzes the way gender and politics impact election outcomes. After college, she plans to get a JD-MPP to help alleviate the administrative burdens on low income people and advocate for their legal rights in a system, she believes, was not built with them in mind.

VICE PRESIDENT: JAmes Fitz-Henley

James is the 2020-21 Vice President of Harvard BPLA. Originally from Durham, NC, he is a junior in Currier House and concentrating in Social Studies. Outside of BPLA, James has competed with the Harvard Mock Trial Association, helping to lead a competitive team and run a seminar for high school students. Additionally, he volunteers with the Franklin After-School Enrichment Program in Dorchester. James has spent the last two summers with McKinsey & Company, supporting a charter school and a manufacturing company in transitionary periods. He is excited to spend the remainder of his education exploring how he can use a JD to make the greatest impact for the most people possible.

Vice President of External Affairs:Char Deslandes

Char Deslandes is BPLA’s Director of External Affairs. Char is a Junior studying History and Literature with a secondary in Ethnicity, Migration, Rights. As Director of External Affairs, Char hopes to foster a community that is supportive despite existing within a Harvard’s hyper competitive environment, and serves black students as they take on a hyper competitive career. Char plans to introduce programming that not only aids the budding professional but nurtures the person, by providing spaces for members to let off steam and chill such as meditation study breaks or other similar initiatives focused on mindfulness. Outside of BPLA, Char is also the co-business director for FIG.

DIRECTOR OF ENgagement: Chinaza Asiegbu

Chinaza Asiegbu is BPLA’s Director of Engagement. Chinaza is a Junior studying History with a secondary in African Studies. As Director of Engagement, she hopes to expand BPLA contacts both within and outside of the undergraduate sphere, first by bridging connections between the black community at HLS, OCS, and other legal clubs. Outside of BPLA, she is the President of Harvard United Nations Association (UNA-USA), International Affairs Chair of Nigerian Students Association, Director of Diversity & Inclusion of Alpha Phi, and cohost of the Call Me Whenever podcast

DIRECTOR OF Communications: Venus Nnadi

Venus Chidinma Nnadi is BPLA’s Director of Communications. Venus is a junior studying Social Studies and African American Studies, with a secondary in Computer Science. Venus joined BPLA because she knew that a supportive community of people who looked like her would be necessary to thrive in such a competitive field where black people are severely underrepresented. As Director of Communications, she hopes to ensure that our community members do not miss out on BPLA’s events and resources, and wants to help build a sense of community within BPLA. Outside of BPLA, Venus enjoys serving as Vice President of Harvard Nigerian Students’ Association, dancing with Omo Naija X Wahala Boys, spending time with her Franklin After-School Enrichment program kids, and leading policy research with IOP Policy’s Criminal Justice and Education groups.

DIRECTOR OF Partnerships: Nia Warren

Nia is the 2020-2021 Director of Partnerships of Harvard BPLA. Nia is a native of Orange, NJ and is a sophomore in Quincy House. Concentrating in Government and African American Studies, Nia intends to pursue a JD and focus on constitutional law. Outside of BPLA, Nia is a member of the Harvard Crimson Dance Team, an associate with Harvard College Consulting Group, and is involved with Harvard University Legal Committee. Nia spent her summer interning for her Senator, writing for the Institute of Politics Summer Education Policy team, and working for a startup matching talent to local governments for high impact projects. She is looking forward to furthering her passion for constitutional law and learning about how decisions of the highest court affects the lives of everyday citizens.

DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING: Osazi Al Khaliq

Osazi is the 2020-2021 Director of Fundraising at BPLA. A current sophomore, Osazi resides in the illustrious Winthrop House and plans to pursue a concentration in Government and pursue a J.D at Harvard Law School after graduation. At Harvard, Osazi spends his time either competing for the Harvard Mock Trial Association or the Harvard Debate Council. Outside of Harvard, Osazi spends his free time consulting underserved students on the college admission process and pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions. Osazi believes that it will always be his purpose to help the underprivileged in whatever capacity he can. Through this mission Osazi looks forward to serving the Harvard community and his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia to help create access and opportunity for all.

DIRECTOR OF Internal Affairs: Derrick Ochiagha

Derrick is the 2020-2021 Director of Internal Affairs at BPLA. Derrick is a junior in Mather House, pursuing a degree in Government with a secondary in Economics. He is from the Bronx, NY and outside of BPLA is heavily involved in The Harvard College Film Festival, where he serves as president, and the Office of Diversity Education and Support, where he is employed as a Diversity Peer Educator. During his summers, Derrick has studied abroad in Venice, Italy taking courses in international business law, and last summer he worked alongside Assemblyman Michael Blake through the IOP Director’s Internship program. In his role, Derrick provided constituent service (including the procurement of housing vouchers, food stipends, etc.) for residents of the 79th District of The Bronx. After college, Derrick hopes to attend Harvard Law School, with aspirations of one day offering pro-bono legal counsel to low income black youths in New York City.