It is my honor to serve as President of the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation, Inc. during the 2026–2027 bar year. As we begin this new bar year, our theme is The Legacy We Build. It reflects a simple but powerful belief: our greatest impact is measured not only by what we accomplish today, but by the leaders we prepare for tomorrow.

This year, we will build upon that legacy through three guiding principles: mentorship, partnership, and investment. Together, these principles will strengthen our commitment to the next generation of legal leaders and the communities we serve.

This theme is more than words—it is a call to serve. The legacy of WBAEF is one of excellence, opportunity, and service. For generations, we have worked to provide opportunity, guidance, and hope to aspiring Black lawyers and students of color who too often navigate a profession in which barriers to access and advancement remain. Yet, in the face of obstacles, they continue to demonstrate resilience, determination, and excellence.

Through mentorship and partnership, we will strengthen connections within and beyond the Washington Bar Association Educational Foundation. By working collaboratively with organizations, law firms, corporations, bar associations, and community partners, we can broaden our reach, deepen our impact, and create opportunities that would not be possible alone.

Every scholarship is more than financial assistance—it is an investment in a student’s potential, an affirmation that they belong in this profession, and an opportunity to help them pursue a legal education and ultimately serve others. Let us invest in people, cultivate relationships, open doors, and create opportunities for those who will carry our profession forward.

Every scholarship awarded, every student mentored, every partnership established, and every opportunity created becomes part of the legacy we leave behind.

Together, let us lead with purpose, serve with intention, and build a legacy that lasts.

With gratitude,

President Andrea S. Anderson