OUR HISTORY
NCBL HISTORY
The National Conference of Black Lawyers
In 1968, young people of African descent in America were growing impatient with the slow pace of social change.
Despite modest advances brought on by two decades of non-violent resistance, from one end of the country to the other, the cry for Black Power was raised in the midst of a sea of clenched fists. At the same time, this new militant spirit had moved many to don black berets and carry rifles. On street corners in practically every Black community, passers-by heard demands for Nation Time and Power to the People!
Inevitably, the powers-that-be responded to this activist renaissance with police brutality, frame-ups and a vicious counter-intelligence program that targeted scores of militants for harassment, prosecution or assassination.
A small group of Black lawyers refused to sit idly by while the iron fist of government came down hard on the bravest and most intelligent of the Black community's younger generation. This period forced the birth of the National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) which, as an organization, began to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with rifle-toting revolutionaries.
NCBL walked into courtrooms around the country armed only with guts and the law. Inserting themselves between the State and Black activists, NCBL began to compile a list of impressive victories. The organization's first clients included: The Attica Brothers, Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, and numerous other committed freedom fighters.
As the era of militancy began to fade, NCBL broadened its horizons and began to wage legal struggles on other fronts.
Defense of affirmative action became a priority when it came under attack by Allan Bakke in California. The acceleration of the liberation struggle in Southern Africa prompted NCBL to become among the first organizations in America to consistently demand an end to apartheid.
The arrest and prosecution of Rev. Ben Chavis and the Wilmington 10 caused NCBL to champion their cause, along with those of an ever-growing list of political prisoners. They included: Geronimo Pratt, Mumia Abu Jamal and Ahmed Rahman.
In the face of criticism (even within the Black community), NCBL began pioneering work on the international front. Concrete, solidarity work began on behalf of progressive forces in Northern Ireland, Palestine, Cuba, Nicaragua, Guyana, Grenada, and throughout Southern Africa.
For its outspoken support for self-determination for Palestinians, NCBL received bomb threats, death threats and drastically reduced funding.
After withstanding countless blows, NCBL remains more committed than ever to the fulfillment of its mission:
...to serve as the legal arm of the movement for Black Liberation, to protect human rights, to achieve self-determination of Africa and African Communities in the diaspora and to work in coalition to assist in ending oppression of all peoples.
The organization is currently fighting for the land rights of indigenous peoples, resisting unjust criminal prosecutions, and ensuring the best educational opportunities for our children.
NCBL thanks you for your support, and invites you to become an active participant in the organization's critical work.
JOIN. SUPPORT. CONTRIBUTE.
The National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 volunteer-driven legal advocacy organization established in 1968 as a bar association to support progressive Black lawyers. NCBL’s membership consists of judges, law students, lawyers, legal activists, legal workers, and scholars who provide a rich diversity of experiences and leadership.
Noted clients included Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, the Attica Brothers, Geronimo Pratt, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Ben Chavis, and the Wilmington Ten. The organization lobbied against apartheid in South Africa.
NCBL expanded from African-American oppression to help other groups in countries like Northern Ireland, the Palestinian territories, Cuba, Nicaragua, Guyana, Grenada, and throughout Southern Africa.
NCBL expanded from African-American oppression to support liberation movements in countries like Northern Ireland, the Palestinian territories, Cuba, Nicaragua, Guyana, Grenada, Namibia, and throughout Southern Africa.
Our mission is: "To protect human rights, to achieve self-determination of Africa and African Communities and to work in coalition to assist in ending the oppression of all peoples."
NCBL is a bar association whose primary focus is on the welfare of the Black community.
We are the legal arm of the Movement for Black Liberation.