The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) will hold its 32nd annual conference, October 24- 28, 2012 at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas, under the theme “Symmetry & Global Branding: Balancing Strategic Partnerships for Breakthrough Success.”
Over the last 30 years the event has offered top entertainment and sports professionals and members of the legal community the opportunity to “reset” in a thoughtful, relaxing environment while attending seminars featuring front-runners in those respective fields. Representatives from NBC Entertainment Television, BET, Universal Music Group, Turner Broadcasting, Island Def Jam, Warner/Chappell Music, Oprah Winfrey Network, Sony, Max Siegel CEO of U.S. Track & Field and Eva Wright V.P. & Associate General Counsel of the Miami Heat will lead discussions.
Minister of Tourism Obediah Wilchcombe will welcome the group at the opening reception on Wednesday, October 24 at 7 p.m. Local organizer Andy Ingraham said the event offers the perfect opportunity for connections to be made with the more than 300 music, television and sports executives that will attend the conference.
“Local attorneys and Bahamian businesses are all encouraged to register for the conference and take advantage of the networking opportunities,” said Ingraham.
BESLA Lifetime Achievement honoree Judy smith
BESLA will present its Lifetime Achievement award to Judy Smith, the crisis manager expert whose A-list clientele and trailblazing counsel inspired the new ABC hit series “Scandal.” Known in her business as a “fixer,” for the past 20 years, Ms. Smith has been the go-to person called upon by politicians, celebrities and Fortune 500 companies caught in media firestorms. The founder of Smith and Company, Ms. Smith is an attorney who was the first black female Special Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Press Secretary for President George H, W. Bush. Smith will also participate in a “Representing Clients in a time of Crisis” seminar.
BESLA’s Hall of Fame Award recipient this year will be the late Keven Davis, whose legal and business guidance launched the dazzling careers of world tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, who both won gold medals – again — at the recent 2012 Olympic Games in London. Mr. Davis was a frequent BESLA panel participant and a much-sought after mentor by young attorneys.
In this dated photo, BESLA Hall of Fame honoree, the late attorney Keven Davis (2nd from l) poses with (from l-r) Richard Williams, left his daughters Serena and Venus and accountant Larry Bailey. Davis and Bailey helped develop the careers of the famous sisters. (Photo: Garvey Schubert Barer)
Retired U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, Nicole Avant will receive the BESLA Humanitarian Award
“The BESLA family is so proud to recognize these trailblazers who epitomize our values and inspire our efforts to show that service and success can and do share the same spotlight,” said BESLA President Matthew Middleton. Recent BESLA honorees include the late broadcasting pioneer, civil rights leader, and attorney Percy E. Sutton, and the courageous track tandem of Dr. Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner, and Dr. John Carlos, the bronze medal winner of the 200 meter race at the 1968 Olympics Games in Mexico City. Legendary music executive and entrepreneur Clarence Avant has also been honored. This year, his daughter, retired U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas Nicole Avant, will receive BESLA’s Humanitarian Award.
“True to our legacy and vision of ‘on-the-cusp’ programming, BESLA remains the go-to legal brain trust for keeping our members ahead of the curve on best practices, information technology and client management tools,” Middleton said. “We look forward to another successful conference.”
BESLA is the nation’s predominant network for the professional development and advancement for attorneys of color in entertainment and sports. Founded in 1980, the organization supports a more diversified and informed network of entertainment and sports industry professionals. BESLA has awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to aspiring law students.
For additional information about BESLA or the 2012 conference program in the Bahamas, visit www.besla.org
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