Race Centers as Critical Curriculum Spaces in U.S. Law Schools

Authors

Katheryn Russell-Brown
Vanessa Miller

Publication Date

4-2025

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This piece aims to amplify the role of law school race centers. In fact, these centers are central curriculum spaces for student teaching and learning about race. The discussion highlights the role of race centers in law schools, explores the scholarly potential of race centers, and proposes strategies for sustaining race centers. The piece examines the role of race centers in helping law schools meet American Bar Association Standard 303(c), which requires that law students are exposed to race‑related curriculum, such as bias, cross‑cultural competencies, or racism. Tracing the historical roots of modern‑day race centers to Black Culture Centers of the 1960s and 1970s, this Article discusses the University of Florida’s Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations as a pioneering example of race centers in legal education. It concludes by emphasizing the need for robust support and integration of race centers within the legal academy, underscoring their importance in preparing a multi‑racial generation of lawyers, judges, policymakers, and scholars.

Recommended Citation

Russell-Brown, Katheryn and Miller, Vanessa (2025) "Race Centers as Critical Curriculum Spaces in U.S. Law Schools," Mercer Law Review: Vol. 76: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.mercer.edu/jour_mlr/vol76/iss2/6