Greetings To All,

It is with deep gratitude and an overwhelming sense of purpose that I welcome you to the 2025–2026 year of the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation, Inc. As we step into this new season of service, we do so guided by a powerful theme: Raising the Bar: Celebrating a Legacy of Scholarship & Legal Excellence.

This is more than a theme — it is a call to action. A reminder that we stand on the shoulders of giants. It is a celebration of those who dared to dream of a more just world, and who worked tirelessly to open doors for those who would come behind them. Their legacies live on in every student we support, every barrier we break, and every life we uplift through the power of legal education.

For generations, the WBAEF has been a light — offering hope, opportunity, and belonging to aspiring Black lawyers and students of color who too often navigate a profession that was not built for them. And yet, despite the challenges, our scholars rise. They persevere. They achieve excellence not only for themselves but for their families, their communities, and the generations still to come.

This year, we recommit ourselves to our founding purpose: to fuel dreams, to invest in promise, and to cultivate a future where justice and equity are not just ideals, but realities. We will continue to award scholarships, build mentorship pathways, and create spaces where future leaders are seen, heard, and celebrated.

But we cannot do this alone. Your belief in our mission — your time, your gifts, your advocacy — makes all the difference. It reminds every student we support that they are not alone, that they matter, and that their dreams are worth fighting for.

Thank you for being part of this movement. Thank you for walking beside us as we honor the past and boldly shape the future. Together, let’s continue raising the bar — not just in legal excellence, but in compassion, commitment, and the belief that our best days are still ahead.

With heartfelt Appreciation,

President Ryan Willis