News

The National Bar Institute is proud to celebrate the achievements of Jasmine Felder, a distinguished participant in NBI’s Bar Passage Success Program. Jasmine recently announced that she has accepted an offer to serve as an Assistant State Attorney with the State Attorney’s Office for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida, marking a remarkable milestone at the start of her legal career.

For Jasmine, becoming a prosecutor has long been a dream and this new opportunity represents a powerful full-circle moment. She will launch her career in Orlando, the very city where she began her post-secondary education. From her first classroom to her first courtroom, Jasmine’s journey reflects hard work, resilience, and a sincere commitment to justice.

As she steps into this critical role serving the communities of Orange and Osceola County, Jasmine embraces this next chapter with purpose, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to public service. Her accomplishment represents the very spirit of the Bar Passage Success Program, empowering aspiring attorneys with the tools, confidence, and support needed to thrive in the legal profession.

The National Bar Institute congratulates Jasmine on this extraordinary achievement. We are honored to have supported her along her journey and look forward to witnessing the impact she will undoubtedly make in the courtroom and beyond.

Here’s to new beginnings, continued growth, and stepping boldly into what she has worked so hard for.

The National Bar Institute (NBI) is pleased to welcome new members to its Board of Directors. These distinguished leaders bring a wealth of experience, professional expertise, and dedication to service that will help further NBI’s mission of empowering the next generation of lawyers through scholarships, programs, and mentorship.

Newly Appointed Board Members:

James Carter – Board Member
James Carter is a nationally accomplished attorney, educator, and civic leader with over 25 years of experience. He serves as Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm–Trials & Mass Torts and sits on its national board. A Life Member of both the National Bar Association and NBI, he has been widely recognized for leadership, service, and advocacy. To learn more, visit our Leadership page.

Charlyn Stanberry – Board Member
Charlyn Stanberry is a lawyer, lobbyist, professor, and community leader based in Washington, D.C. She serves as Vice President of Government Relations at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and is an adjunct professor at Florida International University’s Honors College. She lives by the words of Shirley Chisholm: “Service is the rent we pay for living on this earth.”To learn more, visit our Leadership page.

Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah – Board Member
Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah is an accomplished attorney and community leader with a strong record in legal education, diversity initiatives, and advocacy, advancing equity and access across the profession.To learn more, visit our Leadership page.

Together, these leaders embody the spirit of service, mentorship, and excellence that define the National Bar Institute. Their contributions will help strengthen NBI’s impact on future generations of legal professionals and continue our commitment to fostering diversity, access, and opportunity within the legal community.

We are proud to highlight the grants awarded during Spring and Summer 2025. These awards showcase our commitment to supporting programs, sections, and divisions that embody leadership, advocacy, and service across the legal community.

Through the generosity of our sponsors and donors, NBI was able to provide the following grants:

• The National Association of Bench and Bar Spouses (NABBS) – $5,000, April 2025
• NBA Veterans Affairs & Military Law Section – $1,500, June 2025
• NBA Women’s Law Division – $3,000, July 2025
• NBA History Committee – $1,000, July 2025
• Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO) – [Insert amount, Spring/Summer 2025]

These grants reflect the direct impact of sponsorships and contributions, ensuring NBI continues to support initiatives that educate, empower, and inspire.

A new update on our website now features a dedicated link to follow our grantmaking activity, so members and supporters can see firsthand how contributions are being put into action.

For more information or to get involved, please contact us at info@nationalbarinstitute.org.

We proudly congratulate the winners of the 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Competition. This national program celebrates the legacy of Dr. King by encouraging students to use the power of advocacy and public speaking to advance justice and equality.

This year’s winners are:

• First Place ($5,000): Basira Adelaja
• Second Place ($3,500): Erikah Sanders
• Third Place ($2,000): Hunter Brogdon

The Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Competition brings together finalists from across the country who advance through regional contests to compete on the national stage. Through their passion, preparation, and voices for change, these students exemplify Dr. King’s spirit of leadership and service.

We applaud Basira, Erikah, and Hunter for their outstanding achievements and look forward to all they will accomplish as future leaders in law and justice.