Scholarships
Advancing the next generation of sports and entertainment attorneys through scholarships and professional opportunity.
Scholarships
Advancing the next generation of sports and entertainment attorneys through scholarships and professional opportunity.
For over 40 years, BESLA has supported law students financially, as well as through mentoring and internship opportunities. BESLA awards scholarships to deserving law students seeking careers in the entertainment, sports, and related industries.
2026 Available Scholarships
Scholarship Essay Competition
The Essay Competition is an annual competition that encourages original and innovative research and writing on pertinent industry topics.
HBCU Dean Award
The HBCU Dean Award recognizes a scholar from each of the nation’s historically Black law schools, selected by the respective law school dean.
Ultimate Achiever Award
The Ultimate Achiever Awards recognizes individuals who embody BESLA’s mission of service, excellence, and leadership.
2025 Scholarship Award Recipients
2025
HBCU Dean Award
Terri Adams
Southern University Law Center
2025
Ultimate Achiever Award
Daevon Adams
Tulane University Law School
2025
HBCU Dean Award
El-Joshua Allen
North Carolina Central University School of Law
2025
HBCU Dean Award
Courtnae Brown
University of the District of Columbia – David A. Clarke School of Law
2025
Walter Dale Scholarship
Troy Edwards
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
2025
HBCU Dean Award
Ricky Huntley
Howard University School of Law
2025
HBCU Dean Award
Nia Munz
Florida A&M University College of Law
2025
Ultimate Achiever Award
Justin Powell
Stanford Law School
2025
HBCU Dean Award
Ty’Quaia “Ty” Rollins
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law
2025
1st Place Essay Competition Winner
Melody N. Wilson
LMU Loyola Law School
2025
2nd Place Essay Competition Winner
Terin Michelle Tyson
University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law
2026 Scholarship Funds
BESLA supports law students and recent law school graduates through legal education programs, mentoring, and internship opportunities. BESLA awards financial scholarships to deserving law students who are seeking careers in the entertainment, sports, and related industries. Law students affiliated with BESLA become distinguished members of the profession with influential careers.
We have established relationships with law schools across the United States, including those at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which enable BESLA to identify qualified law students. Thanks to long-time scholarship sponsors, the LeBaron & Yvonne M. Taylor Scholarship Fund, the Benny and Flash Wiley Foundation, the Founders Fund, Gary Harris and many others who have contributed to this program.
2026 Scholarship Funds
BESLA General Scholarship Fund
Established in 1989, the BESLA Scholarship Fund provides scholarships each year to law students, including awards via:
- An essay competition featuring essay topics that explore current legal issues in entertainment, sports, and intellectual property. Students from law schools may enter their essay for an opportunity to be awarded a scholarship; and
- Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Law School scholarships awarded to students attending HBCU law schools in the United States who have an interest in entertainment or sports law, have demonstrated strong academic performance, and are recommended by their respective law school dean, are eligible to receive a scholarship award. Eligible HBCU law schools include Florida A&M College of Law, Howard University School of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Southern University Law Center, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, and the David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of Columbia.
Lebaron & Yvonne M. Taylor Scholarship Fund
The LeBaron & Yvonne M. Taylor Scholarship Fund was established by LeBaron Taylor in 1997 to honor his wife, the late Yvonne M. Taylor, who served as the organization’s Administrative Director. Subsequently, upon the death of LeBaron Taylor, his name was added to the Fund as a tribute to his many years of support of BESLA. The funds and criteria for awarding scholarships to students are administered in cooperation with the Taylor family.
The Flash and Bennie Wiley Scholarship Fund
The BESLA Founders' Fund
Established following BESLA’s 35th Annual Conference, the purpose of this fund is to provide scholarships for Black law students. The fund was established with initial donations from Robert Holmes, Flash Wiley, and Kendall Minter.
Explore BESLA Scholarships
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