Recipient Erin Black (’23) will embark on a public interest law career, working with and advocating on behalf of a nonprofit hospitality worker union
IRVINE, Calif. (June 16, 2023) — The University of California, Irvine School of Law (UCI Law) is delighted to announce that Erin Black (’23) is the recipient of the Alumni Racial Equity Fellowship. UCI Law alumni founded this fellowship to provide a new graduate the opportunity to combat systemic racism while earning a living wage. Black won the yearlong fellowship for her proposed work with UNITE HERE Local 11 (Local 11), a nonprofit labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers across Southern California and Arizona, the vast majority of whom are immigrants and women of color. The fellowship will launch Black’s career, empowering her to pursue institutional change by building power for low-wage workers of color through litigation, legislative advocacy and community education.
“I am honored to be the recipient of this year’s Alumni Racial Equity Fellowship with UNITE HERE Local 11 as my host organization,” said Erin Black. “I have long admired the work that Local 11 does to advance racial and economic justice — by building collective power for workers, the Union plays a critical role in challenging existing power structures that reinforce racial hierarchy and wealth inequality. I am beyond excited to participate in this important work, and to learn from Local 11’s exceptional legal team, organizers and members. Thank you to the alumni committee, and to everyone at UCI Law, for believing in this project and for giving me the opportunity to use my freshly minted legal skills in direct support of hospitality worker organizing.”
I have long admired the work that Local 11 does to advance racial and economic justice — by building collective power for workers, the Union plays a critical role in challenging existing power structures that reinforce racial hierarchy and wealth inequality.
– Erin Black ’23
REF Recipient
While at UCI Law, Black volunteered for Local 11, where she drafted a grievance and demand letter that led to a hotel worker’s reinstatement and receipt of backpay, and helped draft a post-arbitration brief for hotel valets whose employer unlawfully eliminated wage opportunities. Black worked on myriad other pro bono projects for many other nonprofit organizations while at UCI Law, including the ACLU of Southern California, Al Otro Lado, Elder Law & Disability Rights Center, Legal Aid at Work and Public Law Center.
She also worked closely with a number of worker organizations over her two years with the Workers, Law, and Organizing Clinic at UCI Law, including the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, United Farm Workers, California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice and Warehouse Worker Resource Center. During her first summer of law school, Black interned with Root & Rebound, providing reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals. Her second summer, Black worked with Community Justice Project, where she provided legal support for grassroots community organizations across South Florida and received critical movement-lawyering training. Prior to law school, Black worked with youth involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, first as a Family Support Counselor with Seneca Family of Agencies and later as an Education Advocate with the Alliance for Children’s Rights.
Black was a Public Service Scholarship recipient at UCI Law, and received many honors, including high honors for her pro bono service. Her activities and leadership included the Movement Lawyering Group, Labor and Work Law Society, Labor and Employment Law Society, Criminal Law Society, Public Interest Law Fund and National Lawyers Guild at UCI Law. Black received a B.A. in International Development Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.
UCI Law alumni have long championed career pathways for talented students, and have an extraordinary commitment to advancing racial justice work.
— UCI Law Dean and Chancellor’s Professor Austen Parrish
“UCI Law alumni have long championed career pathways for talented students, and have an extraordinary commitment to advancing racial justice work,” said UCI Law Dean Austen Parrish. “We are particularly grateful to public interest attorneys Crystal Adams ’15 and Ariela Rutbeck-Goldman ’16 who, in collaboration with other UCI Law alumni, had the vision and leadership to make this fellowship a reality. We thank everyone who contributed to this important initiative.”
“We are thrilled that Erin is being awarded the Alumni Racial Equity Fellowship,” said REF co-founders Crystal Adams ‘15 and Ariela Rutbeck-Goldman ‘16. “The alumni selection committee was thoroughly impressed with Erin’s understanding of how employer wage theft reinforces wealth inequality along racial lines. She is deeply passionate about helping workers build collective power, and we are excited for her to expand Local 11’s critical and innovative efforts, and to join Local 11’s commitment to uplifting workers of color and immigrant workers. We also appreciate Erin’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of public interest attorneys. That is a key feature of the fellowship and UCI Law’s culture: our alumni are eager to help students achieve their goals.”
For more information about the UCI Law Alumni Racial Equity Fellowship, please contact Assistant Dean for Career Development Jasminder Deol.
We are thrilled that Erin is being awarded the Alumni Racial Equity Fellowship. The alumni selection committee was thoroughly impressed with Erin’s understanding of how employer wage theft reinforces wealth inequality along racial lines.
— REF co-founders Crystal Adams ‘15 and Ariela Rutbeck-Goldman ‘16
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. UCI Law students have completed more than 148,000 hours of pro bono work since 2009. Nearly half of all UCI Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color. At UCI Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UCI Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UCI Law.
Media Contact:
Aditi Mukherji
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amukherji@law.uci.edu
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