Balch & Bingham Contributes to University Of Mississippi Medgar Evers Scholarship in Law

Balch & Bingham is pleased to announce our support of the University of Mississippi’s Medgar Evers Scholarship in Law.  On June 28, 2018, Tara Ellis, Jackson office managing partner, and Kye C. Handy, attorney in the firm’s Jackson office and member of the Litigation Practice, presented the firm’s contribution to Susan Duncan, dean, University Of Mississippi School of Law.

The Medgar Evers Scholarship in Law was established in 2013 by University Of Mississippi Law Professor John Robin Bradley to ensure that future Mississippi leaders in justice will find more open doors than their predecessor, Medgar Evers.

Remembered nationally as one of the most prominent civil rights workers of his time, Evers, a native of Decatur, Miss., applied to the University Of Mississippi School of Law in 1954, but was rejected by the then-segregated school. His initiative and work promoted him to state field secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), providing a chance to assist with enrollment at the University in 1962. On June 12, 1963, Evers was killed at his Jackson home at the young age of 37.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to represent Balch as we presented our contribution to the Medgar Evers Scholarship in Law and to demonstrate our commitment to support quality education for everyone,” said Ellis.

Balch’s Kye C. Handy, a graduate of the University Of Mississippi School of Law, was the University of Mississippi’s first recipient of the Medgar Evers Scholarship in Law.

“Since I was a little girl I always dreamed of becoming an attorney.  The Medgar Evers scholarship made it possible for me to achieve my dreams. Receiving this scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies and remain active in my law school community without having to worry about how I would pay for school.  By establishing this scholarship Professor Bradley has created a path which will allow more minority students to have an incredible educational opportunity that they may have otherwise been denied.  I am honored that I can now give back and help the support the scholarship that has made such a huge impact in my life,” said Kye.

This year Professor Bradley has pledged to give $100k if it is matched within three years.  To make a contribution to the University of Mississippi Medgar Evers Scholarship in Law, please visit here.