ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and the National Bar Association (NBA) gathered together on Sunday, July 24, to celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging during the NBA’s 97th annual convention in Memphis.
The National Bar Association is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges representing the interests of lawyers, judges, law professors and law students.
During the convention, ALSAC Territory Vice President Tanya Frey welcomed convention attendees with remarks on behalf of ALSAC/St. Jude. Frey, an attorney and member of the Memphis-based Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, highlighted the importance of mentoring the next generation of professionals.
“Building networks is critical to career growth and professional development. Through mentorship within those networks, we can steward the next generation of leaders,” said Frey. “Being part of the National Bar Association is like receiving a handbook for navigating the rest of your professional career. Together, we can make a difference in the communities we serve.”
Emmanuel Spence, principal advisor of inclusive philanthropy at ALSAC, knows the importance of continuing a legacy of nonprofit work at St. Jude and beyond. His father, Dr. Robert Spence, Esq., a member of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association and a prominent attorney, was the first Black pharmacist at St. Jude in 1983. Spence has followed in his father’s footsteps by engaging with the local community beyond his work at ALSAC. In addition to co-chairing ALSAC’s African American Business Resource Group, Spence serves the broader community as a member of the Memphis Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and the American Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Spence recently led a national campaign that raised $2 million to honor the work of Dr. Rudolph Jackson, one of the first Black doctors and pioneers in sickle cell research at St. Jude.
“Our efforts to eradicate catastrophic diseases like sickle cell transcend where we earn a living. Building community is about sharing ideas and opportunities and aligning ourselves with those that share our values of inclusion and belonging particularly in the area of healthcare equity. With the partnership between the National Bar Association and St. Jude, we can share the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital more widely than before,” said Frey.
Visit the St. Jude diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging landing page to learn more about this history.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.