First But Not Last: Sadie T.M. Alexander Conference

The Sadie T. M. Alexander Conference, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Black Pre-Law Association, exposes Black undergraduate students to the pathways within the legal field and empowers them with the knowledge to become competitive law school applicants. The conference’s namesake Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander was a trailblazer in the legal field, and in Penn history. Not only was she the first Black woman to graduate from Penn Carey Law, but she was also the first Black woman to practice law in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as the first to get a PhD in economics in the USA. The conference has been designed to uplift her legacy and commitment to service and practicing mindful citizenship that promotes progress. Our program consists of four workshops, an admissions fair for attendees to meet law school admissions officers, and a keynote speaker addressing our conference theme. This year’s conference is titled First But Not Last, with the central theme revolving around entering an era of first and how to break into spaces that African Americans have been historically excluded from. 

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Jon M. Huntsman Hall, 3730 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, United States