"Increasing diversity in our profession is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. The Kansas City legal community will realize its fullest potential only when the talents of all who practice law or aspire to a legal career, regardless of background, are welcomed." - Sylvester "Sly" James, KCMBA Past President and founder of the Diversity Initiative
KCMBF, in partnership with local education non-profit PREP-KC, founded Student Law Academy in 2019. SLA aspires to serve as a future pipeline to diversify Kansas City's legal community. Its mission is to provide underprivileged urban high school students, who would not otherwise have the opportunity, meaningful exposure to a career in the legal profession.