2025
BESLA Events
Where the legal vanguard of sports, entertainment, business and culture convene to learn, connect, and advance opportunity and empowerment.
BESLA Events
Where the legal vanguard of sports, entertainment, business and culture convene to learn, connect, and advance opportunity and empowerment.
Connect with industry leaders at conferences, panels, webinars, and networking events
Upcoming Events
Atlanta, GA
May 2026
New York Regional
New York, NY
May 2026
Details Coming Soon
LA Regional Event
Los Angeles, CA
June 2026
Details Coming Soon
Chicago, IL
July 2026
Register Now!
Martha's Vineyard
Oak Bluffs, MA
August 2026
Details Coming Soon
DC Regional Event
Washington, DC
September 2026
Details Coming Soon
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our members, sponsors, law students, and guests for attending and supporting our past BESLA events. Your participation and engagement are what make these gatherings impactful and memorable. We look forward to welcoming you again at our next event as we continue to connect, learn, and grow together. Thank you for being an integral part of the BESLA community!
Past Events
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our members, sponsors, law students, and guests for attending and supporting our past BESLA events. Your participation and engagement are what make these gatherings impactful and memorable. We look forward to welcoming you again at our next event as we continue to connect, learn, and grow together. Thank you for being an integral part of the BESLA community!
October 29, 2025
Río Grande, Puerto Rico
2025 BESLA Annual Conference
May 20, 2025
New York, NY
2025 New York Regional
Thank you for joining us at the New York Regional: Media & Entertainment Event with our co-host, Perkins & Coie. We are truly grateful for your presence and participation. Your engagement helps strengthen our community and supports the ongoing mission of BESLA.
May 29, 2025
Atlanta, GA
2025 Mid-Year Conference
Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Mid-Year Conference! We were honored to celebrate this year’s distinguished Honorees—Jonathan “Lil Jon” Smith, who received the Beacon of Industry Award, and Matt Barnes, who was presented with the Power Player Award. Your presence made this event truly special!
June 19, 2025
Los Angeles, CA
LA Summit
The LA Summit at the Re\creation Café brought together our community to proudly celebrate Gil L. Robertson IV — Co-Founder and President of the African American Film Critics Association — as this year’s Trailblazer Award recipient.
July 24, 2025
Chicago, IL
2025 Chicago Regional
Thank you for joining our 2025 Chicago Regional Event at Wildman BT. Special thanks to moderator Brandon Pope and guest Michael Strautmanis of the Obama Foundation for their Fireside Chat. We appreciate the talents of Ron Gilbert, Terica Marie, and 34 Soul, and Chef Bill of Off the Plate Catering. Honoring the legacy of Walter Dale. Grateful for all of our sponsors.
September 25, 2025
Washington, D.C.
DC Regional
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and BESLA, in collaboration with the Motion Picture Association, Recording Industry Association of America, Entertainment Software Association, and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, extend our sincere thanks to all who attended our recent summit on the economic impact of sports and entertainment.
2025 - 45th Annual Conference - Advancing the Founders' Mission Through Achievement, Empowerment & Innovation
The 2025 Annual Conference is in the books!
Thank you for being part of BESLA’s 2025 Annual Conference! We are deeply grateful for your participation in this memorable event filled with inspiring discussions, valuable connections, and opportunities for professional growth. It was truly an honor to come together with distinguished industry leaders, emerging talent, and influential decision-makers across the legal, entertainment, and sports sectors. A special thank you to our Honorees, Sponsors, and Scholarship Recipients for their continued support and contributions.
Download our 2025 Conference Journal to see the highlights!
2025 - Mid-Year Conference - "Bridging the Gap: Advocacy, Artistry, and Access"
Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Mid-Year Conference!
We were truly honored to celebrate this year’s distinguished Honorees—Jonathan “Lil Jon” Smith, recipient of the Beacon of Industry Award, and Matt Barnes, who was presented with the Power Player Award. Your presence, energy, and engagement helped make this event an unforgettable experience and a powerful moment of recognition for trailblazers in entertainment, sports, and business.
A special thank you goes to our outstanding Speakers for sharing their time, insight, and expertise, and to our dedicated Planning Committee, whose hard work and commitment made this year’s conference possible.
We are grateful for your continued support of BESLA’s mission to advance excellence and elevate voices across the industry. We look forward to seeing you again next year at our 2026 Mid-Year Conference as we continue to uplift, connect, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Past Conference Journals
The purpose of the Annual Conference Journal is to chronicle BESLA’s impactful year in review, serving as both a reflection of our achievements and a tribute to the individuals who exemplify excellence within our community. This publication proudly highlights our award-winning honorees, whose remarkable contributions have elevated the fields of entertainment, sports, and business. It also celebrates our outstanding scholarship recipients—emerging leaders whose dedication and talent represent the future of our industries.
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