ACS’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Student Taskforce Focused on Vigorous and Positive Action

In the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” The ACS Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Student Taskforce embodies this sentiment as we work to provide tools to our peers in an attempt to rebuild our society in the wake of a history of trauma. Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation are the words of our present and past with truth at the center.

From colonization and the Landback movement, to Critical Race Theory and the fight against teaching actual American history in schools, racial injustice is becoming the forefront of every story: as it should be. For the leaders of the ACS TRHT Student Taskforce, each has come for their own personal reasons but with a shared goal of making much needed change. We are given access to tools that will help us transform the legal landscape, while moving towards a truth-based legal world and away from unjust laws. We will continue in the shadow of Dr. King’s legacy in the march towards justice.

In 2021, ACS announced its initiative supporting truth, racial healing, and transformation in the United States. ACS created a student-led Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Taskforce in October. In November, Taskforce members formed committees tasked with researching TRHT efforts and scholarship, developing TRHT programming, and promoting local and university movements.

Taskforce Members:

Antonio A. Bonnetty, ’22, Duquesne University School of Law

Chandni Challah, ’22, Saint Louis University School of Law

Iman Ali, ’24, University of Kentucky College of Law

Jaylin D. McClinton, ’22, Chicago-Kent College of Law

La'Rie Suttle, ’23, DePaul College of Law

Matthew Kelly, ’22, Stetson University College of Law

Ronak Patel, ’22, UCLA School of Law

Sarah Chase, ’23, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

Sequoia Kay Hill, ’24, University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law

Sierra Kennedy, ’23, American University Washington College of Law

Taylor McClain, ’23, University of Georgia School of Law