How to Advance Justice and Equity: A Conversation with WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tracey Brame

By Tyler Lecceadone, APR

Tracey Brame is Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and Practice Preparation, and director of the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project.

She recently was a guest of WMPRSA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to help us better understand how we can increase the number of people of color within the public relations industry. We had the opportunity to learn about her path in the legal field, a profession that disproportionately serves more people of color but lacks diversity amongst its ranks of lawyers.

Brame explained she originally was interested in being a journalist, perhaps as a sports sideline reporter. But, as she worked through her undergraduate studies, it became apparent that she wanted to study law. While attending the University of Michigan, Brame was in a minority, not only as a female but also as an African American.

“I grew up in a working-class family in Detroit. At a young age, my mother had instilled in me that I would be going to college. I am a first-generation college graduate, let alone lawyer,” Brame said. “Well, attending law school, there was an assumption that I was there to meet a quota or something. I knew I had to prove that I belonged, and soon others began to realize I earned my way into law school.”

Advancing justice and equity 

During the Q&A session, Brame was asked to share some of the successes, challenges and failures in her effort to bring diversity into the practice of law.

Brame said Cooley Law School’s vision is “to advance justice and equity by providing broad access to a legal education to diverse individuals who meet that opportunity with a commitment to achieving high standards of professional competency.”

“I am proud to be at an institution that has a focus on helping bring diversity to the field of law, but it hasn’t been without challenges,” she said. “We know that people of color are disadvantaged when it comes to education, so achieving success in law school takes additional steps for many people of color. We (Cooley) have had to make adjustments to meet requirements for bar passage rates mandates. But we are making strides in our efforts.”

‘It takes time and effort’

When asked how she thinks public relations could become a more diverse industry, Brame said it starts through discussions such as we had with her and the series of discussions the DE&I Committee has been holding. “I’m excited to see these kinds of discussions happening. It’s an acknowledgment that work –  hard work – needs to be done to become a more diverse group. These discussions need to continue to help create change, and action needs to come from them, and it appears you are on the right track. It takes time and effort.”

Brame, whose husband, Kenyatta, also is an attorney, said going out in the community to make a difference in young peoples’ lives is also important. Tracey and Kenyatta resurrected his childhood Boy Scout troop, which served the inner city when he was a child. Today the Brames are making a difference by once again bringing lessons learned through the Boy Scouts to inner-city youths. Though it may take time, which is an investment in and of itself, the Brames’ efforts could develop young boys and girls into aspiring attorneys.

More grassroots efforts needed

A takeaway for me from this discussion with Tracey is that we need to be aware of the needs of people of color and the barriers they face in education that make it difficult to join our ranks in public relations. We are an inclusive organization, but maybe we have to be even more grassroots in our efforts and teach youth in underserved communities about the importance of our profession.

There are a couple of opportunities you or your organization can take advantage of right now to begin moving the needle:

• Kent ISD’s Career Readiness Program: These are virtual chats were kids grades 7-12 can meet with professionals and discuss careers. These chats take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30, and you can apply to speak on their website.

• GRow 1000 Internship Program: This internship program was recently launched to address ongoing racial and economic disparities in the City of Grand Rapids. This summer, your organization can provide a 6-week internship to a qualifying youth in Grand Rapids. Learn more at their website.  

The DE&I Committee at the West Michigan Public Relations Society will continue to offer thought-provoking discussions with leaders from our community who are making a difference in diversity, equity, and inclusion into the coming year, and we are working to open these discussions to a broader audience.

To learn more about Tracey Brame’s work at the WMU-Cooley Law School, visit the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project.