BESLA @ 30: Upholding Our Legacy, Redefining Our Future"   BESLA is turning 30 this year. Can you believe it!  And we are in the process of planning a spectacular anniversary celebration!  This year’s conference is truly shaping up to be one of our best ever, because we have invited our entire BESLA family, old and new members and friends, to join us.  We will celebrate the life and achievements of one of our very own, Percy Sutton, the great broadcasting pioneer, civil rights leader and legal legend. He will be inducted posthumously into the BESLA Hall of Fame. We will also honor Clarence Avant, another industry icon, music executive and entrepreneur whose legendary power-brokering skills have served as the deal-making model for this generation of industry players. The transformative contributions of these two gentlemen have played an instrumental role in shaping our organization’s mission and aspirations. Finally, we will salute the founders of BESLA as well as current and future trailblazers and renowned industry leaders. Why is our organization and this year’s conference so important? Since our inception 30 years ago, BESLA has put on dynamic annual conferences, We’ve rocked with natural disasters and rolled with man-made catastrophes-  to “bring it” in the form of a thoughtful, rejuvenating setting for our members and guests. Through a stunning blur of technological breakthroughs and new forms of business development, we’ve maintained stellar programming and value-producing networking platforms. BESLA’s primary functions as a non-profit organization are to (i) provide synergistic networking opportunities for practitioners in the music, sports, film, television and radio industries, (ii) provide continuing legal education, and (iii) grant scholarships for deserving law students. BESLA has been instrumental in helping to develop some of the brightest minds in our profession and develop some of the most successful entertainment and sports law representation in the country.  During its 30-year tenure, BESLA’s conference has hosted notable speakers such as Robert “Bob” Johnson, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tom Freston, Dick Parsons, Suzanne de Passé, Debra Lee, Kenny Gamble, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Dr. Cornell West, Willie E. Gary, Jim Brown, Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Reginald Hudlin.  We are also investing in those who will take the baton from us. In recent years, BESLA has raised over $250,000 for student scholarships. More than 50 deserving law students have received BESLA scholarships. Last year, we were indeed proud to honor Olympic legends John Carlos and Tommie Smith, whose courage in 1968 set the stage for BESLA’s inception as a pivotal force for parity in the industry for people of color. In honoring that moment in history, we reaffirmed our own role as vanguards of professional excellence and social consciousness. BESLA also gave newer members from the hip hop generation more than just a peek into that rich tradition. They also got the feel of being part of that tradition in the present moment. Based upon the intense and sustained applause that rained down on Carlos and Smith from the audience – many who were not yet born in 1968 - we hit our mark, indeed. And by doing so, we also are fulfilling our vanguard role as the guiding force for a diversified and informed network of entertainment and sports industry professionals. Yes, we’re having a BESLA “moment.” Let’s reflect, renew and re-define growth and prosperity for our future! BESLA's History

Join our growing list of sponsors! including:

BESLA’s Salute to Olympic Legends Rocks  Aruba!!!

It was long, long overdue.

Still, the time was right for BESLA to honor Drs. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the track champions who courageously raised their black-gloved fists for black solidarity and social justice from the Olympic medal stand in Mexico City in 1968.

The two men were guests of honor at the gala banquet and awards presentations, the grand finale of BESLA’s 29th Annual Conference in Aruba, October 21-25. They were moved by a special video tribute that showcased their “silent gesture heard ‘round the world” more than 40 years ago, before many in the audience were born.

As they were presented with BESLA’s inaugural 2009 'Disrupter' Awards, Smith and Carlos were overwhelmed by a deeply heartfelt standing ovation that said, “Thank you! Thank both of you for standing up for all of us.”

In their remarks, both men acknowledged their friendship and mutual respect over the years. And far from being complacent icons who have retreated from the social battlefield, Smith and Carlos spoke with passion and fire and wisdom about the necessity to fight today’s racism and exploitation in sports, politics and other areas of American society. They also strongly validated BESLA’s advocacy role and called on individual athletes and other performing artists to vocally support each other.

By the end of this historic evening, these once fleet-footed legends proudly cradled their plaques and passed the baton of solidarity to this generation

Noted producer, director and entertainment executive Reginald Hudlin served as the Gala Keynote Speaker. Known for such classics as Boomerang, House Party, and Bebe’s Kids, this modern black film pioneer is also responsible for small screen breakthroughs such as the Bernie Mac Show, Everybody Hates Chris, and Boondocks.		More pictures on BESLA Honors the Past Gala salute
		Other BESLA Conference highlights

Pre-Gala Fun

BESLA Board Nominations Notice

BESLA's Board Of Directors and Advisory Board