At a time when most are celebrating Black history, attorney Ben Crump is making history. St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida has named its college of law after the prominent civil rights attorney. Among the 199 law schools accredited by the American Bar Association, it is the only college of law named after a living Black lawyer. Aside from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, it is the second law school to ever be named after a Black lawyer.
“It is a privilege to be a part of the St. Thomas University legacy through the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. We have come such a long way in the journey to equality, but we are not there yet,” Crump said.
“The future changemakers and civil justice leaders that will matriculate from St. Thomas will soon be passed the torch from today’s civil rights icons and I have every confidence that they will meet the moment.”
Crump is a prominent civil rights attorney who has represented the families of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Trayvon Martin. More recently, Crump has represented the family of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee.
“The naming of the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law at St. Thomas University is the latest step in an effort to encourage bridge-building among the legal profession, law enforcement, and our communities,” St. Thomas University President David A. Armstrong said.
“Ben and I couldn’t be more different politically, but we share a passion for justice, and the hope that by working together, we can continue to drive meaningful change.”
