September 11, 2014
Vince Heald (vheald@behmedia.com) – 858-453-9600
Adrian Aguilera (adrian@behmedia.com) – 858-453-9600
Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) Honors
Minority Corporate Counsel Association and Joseph K. West with Beacon of Diversity Award
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Board of Directors of Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) has honored the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and its President and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph K. West with its coveted Beacon of Diversity Award for 2014. MCCA and West will receive the award at BESLA’s 34th Annual Conference in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico at its Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, October 24, 2014. In addition, BESLA has invited West to present the keynote address at the luncheon.
“Joseph West and MCCA have consistently demonstrated through the years the importance of increasing the pipeline for diversity, including the entertainment, sports and new media industries,” said Lawrence C. Hinkle II, BESLA Vice President and Partner at Fox, Rothchild, LLP in Los Angeles. “Increasing the pipeline for diversity is a core mission of BESLA, and we commend you on your undying efforts in that regard.”
For over 33 years, BESLA has been a valuable resource in addressing the professional development and networking needs of minority lawyers and industry professionals, encouraging professional advancement and fostering mutually beneficial relationships among its members, corporate partners and private donors. BESLA’s Annual Conference is well-recognized for bringing together an outstanding group of in-house counsel, outside counsel and industry professionals in the entertainment and sports industries to engage in professional development activities, CLEs and networking opportunities.
“On behalf of MCCA, I am deeply honored and personally humbled to receive the Beacon of Diversity Award,” said West. “For 14 years MCCA has dedicated itself to advocacy for the expanded hiring, retention, and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate law departments and the law firms that serve them. To be recognized for this commitment by BESLA underscores the importance of our mission and shines a light on each person working at MCCA and serving on our board of directors who devotes his and her time to advancing diversity in the legal profession.”
###
About MCCA
MCCA was founded in 1997 to advance the hiring, retention and promotion of diverse attorneys in legal departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA accomplishes its mission through publishing, research and training, pipeline initiatives and networking. MCCA’s work has been recognized with awards from the National Minority Business Council, Inc., the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National LGBT Bar, and the Association of Corporate Counsel. MCCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit mcca.com.
About BESLA
The Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) is an organization of lawyers, entertainment and sports industry executives, legal educators, and law students that supports a more diversified, expert and informed group of entertainment and sports industry professionals. For additional information, please visit besla.org.