Kentucky Bar Foundation supports Central High program with textbook grant

KBF President Harvey Johnston meets with Central High students.

As we approach the end of Black History Month, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight one of our law school's signature programs.

One of the shining stars of the University of Louisville School of Law is our partnership with Central High School's Law and Government Magnet Program.

Established in 2011, the program connects Louisville Law and Central High students and aims to increase diversity in the legal profession. The most significant part of the program involves bringing law students to Central to teach in three programs: Street Law (legal issues and critical thinking), Writing Skills and Marshall Brennan Civil Liberties.

After many years of use, the textbooks for the street law and Marshall Brennen classes were in need of replacement.

In June 2018, the Kentucky Bar Foundation provided the School of Law a $5,000 grant so that we could purchase new textbooks. And on February 7, 2019, KBF President Harvey Johnston — a Louisville Law graduate himself — visited Central High. He talked with students and shared his own experiences of high school and his career path as a lawyer.

The partnership has been successful in many ways over the years. There are currently six Central Law and Government Magnet students enrolled in law school — including two at the University of Louisville. The program is successful because of the support of many, most recently the generous grant by the Kentucky Bar Foundation. Louisville Law is thankful for the foundation's support of this effort to promote diversity in the next generation of lawyers.