Adjoa Artis Assantewaah Aiyetoro

Missouri Bar Number 26971

(501) 324-9950

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Law SchoolSt. Louis University

St. Louis, MO

J.D., May 1978

Cum Laude

Graduate SchoolWashington University

George Warren Brown School of Social Work

St. Louis, MO

M.S.W., May 1969

CollegeClark University

Worcester, MA

A.B., 1967

WORK SUMMARY

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law

Associate Professor

May 2008 – Present

Assistant Professor

June 2004- May 2008

I teach Civil Procedure, Remedies, Critical Race Theory and Mass Violence.

West Virginia University College of Law

Visiting Professor

August 13, 2003- January 2004

I taught Civil Procedure, and a seminar, Race, Racism and the Law.

University of California Santa Barbara

Center for Black Studies and Department of Black Studies

Visiting Scholar and Professor

January 1, 2003- June 30, 2003

The first quarter I taught a seminar on Issues in Reparations which is a survey of reparations given to victims of human rights violations with a focus on the demand for reparations by African descendents in the United States. I also authored the Center for Black Studies’ report that was submitted to the University of California Office of the President and forwarded to the California Legislature on the May 2002 colloquium “Legacy of Slavery”: Unequal Exchange.”

Washington College of Law

American University

Adjunct Professor

1997- 2002

I taught a course entitled Litigating Reparations for African Americans. The course provided students with an opportunity to assess and develop litigation approaches by focusing on those demanding reparations. It provides insight into creative litigation strategies and recognition of the limitations of litigation.

CONSULTING POSITIONS

National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA)

1997- 2002

I led a team of lawyers, social scientists and activists in the development of litigation for reparations for African Americans. This role included consulting with other lawyers and activists involved in a litigation approach and also co-coordinating the Reparations Coordinating Committee with Charles Ogletree.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

1999- 2002

Drafted a briefing paper on search and seizure in 2000. Coordinated a housing summit in the spring 2001 in New York City. Served as coordinator of the Voter Intimidation and Education Hotline for the November 2000 and 2002 elections.

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Served as a consultant to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on two projects. I coordinated the Lawyer’s Committee’s delegation to the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 and I co-coordinated the third Black Women and Law Conference held at Howard University School of Law in 1998.

STAFF ATTORNEY POSITIONS

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, The National Prison Project

1982- 1993

Developed and implemented conditions of confinement litigation primarily against state correctional officials, although involved in litigation against the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In approximately 1989, received the additional responsibility of the Deputy Director for Administration.

United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section

1978- 1982

Litigated on behalf of the United States government cases involving the rights of the institutionalized. Caseload was primarily correctional institutions; however, it also included litigation involving institutions for the mentally ill and retarded.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

World Conference Against Racism (WCAR)

May 2000- September 2002

Represented Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in the preparatory committee meetings for the World Conference Against Racism held in Geneva, Switzerland and Santiago, Chile as well as at the NGO Forum in Durban, SA, August 28- September 1, 2002 and at the government conference, August 31- September 8. As a leader of the African and African Descendents Caucus, I was selected to make a presentation on reparations to the Roundtable of Heads of State chaired by President Thabo Mbeki.

United Nations Conference on Women and Beijing +5

Consultant to the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and coordinated its delegation to the 1995 Beijing Conference. Barbara Arnwine and I organized the Women of Color Caucus and the African American Women’s caucus in Beijing. In 2000, represented the Lawyers’ Committee at the follow-up to the conference in New York, Beijing +5, and co-authored a booklet on African American women for distribution.

Hague Appeal for Peace

Represented the U.S. Section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom at the Hague Appeal for Peace in 1999, making an intervention on the issue of reparations for African Americans.

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

Director of Administration Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

October 1997- November 1999

Developed and implemented administrative infrastructure including personnel policies and policies for the relationship between the CBCF, Inc. and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Worked with the Executive Director and Members of Congress in developing policy initiatives.

Executive Director, National Conference of Black Lawyers

May 1993- January 1997

Continued the history of progressive advocacy by representing Geronimo jijaga (Pratt) on parole issues. Successfully defended Judge Lajune Lange in an attempt by the Chief Judge of Hennepin County, Minnesota to remove her. Resolved the organization’s outstanding debt and developed administrative infrastructure, which included developing a revenue stream.

Mental Health Specialist/ Social Work Positions in St. Louis, MO

1969- 1977

Worked as a community mental health specialist supervising a community- based mental health program in Yeatman Union Sarah Community Health Center from 1975- 1977. From 1969 to 1975, worked for Malcolm Bliss Mental Health Center, initially assigned to the inpatient Children’s Unit. In 1970, transferred to the community Outreach Program, becoming the supervisor of that program in 1971, responsible for the provision of social work services in five model cities communities.

PUBLICATIONS

Why Reparations to African Descendants in the United States Are Essential to Democracy, J. Gender Race & Justice (forthcoming Spring 2011).

Historic and Modern Social Movements for Reparations: The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA) and its Antecedents, 16 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev.687 (2010)(co-author Prof. Adrienne D. Davis).

Can We Talk? How Triggers for Unconscious Racism Strengthen the Importance of Dialogue, Nat’l Black L.J. at Columbia University, 2009

Truth Matters: A Call for the American Bar Association to Acknowledge Its Past and Make Reparations to African Descendants, 18 Geo. Mason U. Civ. Rts. L.J. 51 (2007)

The Reality of Obtaining Reparations: Present Day Harms as Vestiges of Enslavement, State of the Race – Creating Our 21st Century: Where Do We Go From Here?,Jemadari Kamara and Tony Menelik Van Der Meer, eds, (2004)

Formulating Reparations Litigation Through the Eyes of the Movement, 58 NYU Annual Survey of American Law Act 457 (2003)

National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America: Its Creation and Contribution to the Reparations Movement, Should American Pay: Slavery and the Raging Debate Over Reparations, Raymond A. Winbush, ed., (2003)

The Development of the Movement for Reparations for African Descendents, 3 J.L. Soc’y 133 (2000)

“Reparations Are Like A Train: Mounting the Challenges and Claiming the Victory,” ENCOBRA, Summer 2001

The Building of an Ashram, Heart to Heart, AHAM, Vol 21, Nos. 10 & 11, May- June 2001

Reparations, Restoration and Reconciliation, in International Peace Update (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, October 2000)

Police Misconduct and Accountability, Amnesty Rights for All, International, USA (1998)

Reparations: The Court’s Role on the Way to Victory, ENCOBRA, Summer 1998

The Abuses of Prisons, Resist, Spring, 1988

Vestiges of Slavery: Racism in Sentencing, Journal, The National Prison Project 2, Winter 1984

SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Testified before the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representative on a number of issues pertaining specifically to the criminal justice system and remedying racism within the system. Testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of the National Conference of Black Lawyers in opposition to the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

Worked closely with Congressman John Conyers to build support for H.R. 40, a Reparations Study Bill, and has presented in issue forums organized by Congressman Conyers annually since 1992.

Have served as a keynote speaker and panelist at many conferences over the past twenty-five years, including various university and law school panels, the American Correctional Association, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, National Conference of Black Lawyers, Black Law Students Association, the Missouri Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Black Social Workers and others.

Have appeared on many occasions in the local, national and international media on various topics involving racial justice, including Statehood for the District of Columbia, the

criminal justice system and reparations.

Speaking engagements 2004 to present:

  • Life Interrupted – the Japanese American Experience in WW II Arkansas

Camp Connections: A Conversation About Civil Rights

and Social Justice in Arkansas, September 25, 2004

  • National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Annual Conference

“Death Penalty 101,” October 2004

  • Midwest Black Law Students Association Regional Convention, “Balance & the Black Attorney: Family, Health, Finance & Community Service,” Mock Trial Judge and panelist – “Approaches and Alternatives to Reparations” - January 26-30, 2005
  • W. Harold Flowers Law Society’s Annual Meeting and Continuing Legal Education, “Honoring Our heritage: Demanding Justice, Encouraging Excellence”

CLE speaker – “Reparations” - June 17, 2005

  • NAACP Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Panelist: Reparations Litigation and Legislation Luncheon, July 10, 2005
  • National Lawyers Guild Annual Convention, Panelist: “Issues of Significance to the African-American Community, ” October 29, 2005
  • Worcester State College, “Whose Debt? Whose Responsibility?” Global Symposium on Reparations for Mass Human Rights Violations, December 10, 2005
  • National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, “Lift Every Voice and Be Heard,” February 25, 2006
  • University of North Carolina, Institute of African American Research,

International Scholars Conference 2006: “Reparations Across the Americas” March 30-April 1, 2006. Panelist, Attitudes, Politics and the Logistics of Reparations, March 31, 2006.

  • Southeastern Association of Law Schools, Annual MeetingPresenter: New Scholars Workshop, July 19, 2006.
  • The Second Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference, Panelist – “Demystifying American Legal Education: How Law School is Radically Different from Your Undergraduate Education,” September 8, 2007.
  • Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, Harvard Law School: A Commemorative 85th Anniversary Conference- The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, Philadelphia, PA, October 5, 2006
  • National Conference of Black Lawyers Annual Meeting and Conference,

“Moving Forward-Facing New Challenges in a New Era of Struggle,” Luncheon Speaker, African Descendants and the Legal Profession, October 6, 2006.

  • American Association of Law Schools Annual Meeting, Panelist: Remedies: Justice and the Bottom Line, January 3, 2007.
  • 21st Century Policy Makers Conference, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, Discussant – March 9, 2007
  • Crimes of the Civil Rights Era, A National Conference, co-sponsored by Northeastern University School of Law, Project on Civil Rights and Restorative Justice and Harvard Law School, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice, April 27-28, 2007; Discussion Group leader, Legislative Initiatives, April 28, 2007.
  • National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America National Conference,

Presented paper on Apology – June 23, 2007

  • Just Communities of Arkansas (JCCA), Talk-back sessions following the performance of The Arkansas Repertory Theater’s Legacy project, “It Happened in Little Rock” - Co-facilitator, September 16 and 22, 2007.
  • Committee Coordinator, Ben J. Altheimer Symposium, Central High – Its History and Legacy: Can True Integration Be Achieved?, September 20 & 21, 2007.
  • University of Miami School of Law, Inaugural Racial Justice Lecture Series, Race, Rights & Real Justice: Examining the Case for Black Reparations in America, Panelist – November 7, 2007.
  • Clinton School of Public Service, Public Advocacy, Panelist - March 2008
  • 87th Anniversary Commemoration-1921 Tulsa Race Riot, sponsored by the Reparations Coordinating Committee, Oklahoma State University, Town Hall Meeting, Moderator - May 2008
  • SEALS Conference, “Reparations for African Americans: An Essential Remedy; Legally Viable or Racially Divisive?,” Panelist - August 2008
  • Black on Black Crime Summit, North Little Rock, AR, “Race and the Justice System,” Presenter - August 2008
  • “A Conversation with Gloria Browne-Marshall: On Black Women, the Election, and Race,” Sponsored by Say It Loud literary organization and Black Law Students’ Association, Conversation Facilitator - September 2008
  • National Conference of Black Lawyers, 40th Annual Conference, Detroit, MI, “Reparations for Historic Crimes,” Moderator and Presenter - September 2008
  • State of the Black World Conference, “Status of the Reparations Movement: Building the Movement in the Obama Era,” Moderator and Presenter - November 2008
  • SEALS Conference, “School to Prison Pipeline,” Moderator – August , 2009
  • Symposium, Texas Wesleyan Law Review, “The Role of Lawyers of Color: Past, Present & Future,” Co-keynote luncheon speaker, Legal History of Reparations and the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America,,” October 9, 2009
  • Public Interest Law and Policy Speakers Series, Access to Justice, Washington University St. Louis School of Law, Why Reparations is Essential to Democracy, March 1, 2010
  • SEALS Conference, Moderator, Restitution Revival – The Restatement (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment, August 3, 2010
  • Third National People of Color Scholarship Conference, Panelist, Reparations in a “Post-Racial” America, September 10, 2010.
  • 2011 Joint Meeting of the Southeast/Southwest/Midwest People of Color Legal Scholarship Conferences, Moderator/Panelist, Race, Reconciliation and Democracy and Commentator, Works in Progress,April 1, 2011.
  • UCLA, 5th Annual Critical Race Studies Symposium – Race and Sovereignty, Plenary IV, Panelist, The Politics of Recognition, April 2, 2011.

COMMITTEE AND PROJECT MEMBERSHIPS

Chancellor’s Committee on Race and Ethnicity, University of Arkansas Little Rock, 2006 – Present

National Conference of Black Lawyers, Human Rights Agenda – Over-incarceration, Coordinator, formed October 2010

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, American Civil Liberties Union

Legal Panel member, American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas

Member, NAACP

Board Member, Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Member in good standing, Missouri Bar

Member, National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL)

Member, W. Harold Flowers Law Society, (Arkansas)

Member, Arkansas Bar Association

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

HONORS AND AWARDS (partial list)

Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society, inducted 1978

Church Women United 2002 Human Rights Award

International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies 2002 International Human Rights Award

Chauncy Eskridge 2001 Distinguished Barrister Award, Southern Christian Leadership Conference

National Association of Black Social Workers 2001 Certificate of Appreciation

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 1998 Certificate of Leadership

ABA Commission on Opportunities in the Profession 1997 Appreciation Award

National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, 2007 Queen Mother Moore Award

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