The William Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy, the one-year curriculum dedicated to having lasting diversity, inclusion, and equity within Florida’s legal community, will hold a reception next week at the 2023 Florida Bar Winter Meeting to celebrate its 10-year anniversary.

The event will take place on Friday, January 20, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, following the conclusion of the three-day conference.

Launching the Academy was the brainchild of Eugene Pettis, the first African-American president of The Florida Bar (2013-2014). Pettis believed it was the Bar’s responsibility to train a diverse group of people to compete in the legal profession and society.