Pepperdine Caruso Law Office of Diversity and Belonging Hosts Black Alumni Mixer

The Pepperdine Caruso Law Office of Diversity and Belonging hosted the Black Alumni Mixer, the first in a series of Belonging Mixers, on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Designed to bring together and engage alumni from different parts of the Caruso Law community, the event was a joyous time to connect, unite, and uplift the Black alumni community.

The alumni present represented the JD, MLS, and MDR programs and included Judge Andre Birotte (JD '91), Capri Maddox (JD '01), Raisa Turner (JD '13), Terrence Williams (JD '11), Venetreas Caviness (MLS '20), and Janette Blair (JD '15).

Associate Dean Chalak Richards opened the evening by welcoming alumni, reiterating the tenets of the Strategic Plan for the continued improvement of diversity at Caruso Law, and celebrating the achievements highlighted in the 2020-2021 Diversity and Belonging Report. After a time of mingling, Mavis Borteyfio and Zna Portlock Houston encouraged the alumni to join the Belonging Champions program, a program that will provide financial backing for the groundbreaking, community fortifying work of the offices of Student Life and Diversity and Belonging. Belonging Champions are a treasured group of donors who pledge to support these efforts with monthly or annual monetary gifts.

We are grateful to our alumna sponsor, Zna Portlock Houston (JD '87), and to our hosts, Carla and Alvin Pittman, for generously opening their home. We look forward to hosting more Belonging Mixers for our diverse Caruso Law community. Please contact Dean Richards if you are interested in hosting a Belonging Mixer.

The Strategic Plan for Diversity and Belonging, the 2020-2021 Diversity and Belonging Report, and information on the Belonging Champions initiative may be found at Pepperdine Caruso Law Diversity and Belonging.