The FMBBA provides financial scholarships to help prospective and current law students from the New York City area as part of the MBBA’s Pipeline and #MBBAGives programs. We will award up to 12 scholarships of up to $2,500 each to prospective and current law students who meet the eligibility requirements.

The 2026 scholarship application cycle is now closed. Please check back next year for the next application cycle.

Applications and eligibility requirements are posted and updated on this page. Please submit a separate application for each scholarship you are applying to.

Be sure to upload your completed application as ONE (1) PDF file. Separate files will be considered an incomplete application and not considered. View a sample of what a completed application looks like here, using the 1L scholarship requirements.

LSAT Prep Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to cover the costs for preparatory courses for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). This year’s scholarship theme is “Amplifying Black Excellence in the Law.”

Award: The total costs/reimbursement are not to exceed $2,500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City, and registered for an LSAT exam occurring within the Fall 2025 – Summer 2026 cycle.

Bar Prep Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to cover the costs for preparatory courses for the New York State Bar Examination.

Award: Up to $2,500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, attend an eligible law school*, be a permanent resident of New York City, and registered for the July 2026 New York Bar Exam.

The Honorable George Bundy Smith Scholarship Fund

The Metropolitan Black Bar Association established The Honorable George Bundy Smith Scholarship Fund in conjunction with Friends of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Inc. (FMBBA), a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting the work and furthering the vision of MBBA to offer three scholarships to students who demonstrate qualities of leadership, a passion for the arts and sciences, or a commitment to diversity and academic excellence. The fund is in honor of Judge Smith, who for many years provided board leadership and guidance to the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, including starting the organization’s first scholarship fund. Above all, Judge Smith valued education and leveraged his success to the benefit of the African-American community.

THE HONORABLE THEODORE T. JONES, JR. SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to leadership while successfully managing the law school experience.

Award: Up to $2,500

THE SHIRLEY STEWART FARMER SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a law student who demonstrates a passion for business, arts or sciences.

Award: Up to $2,500

THE JAMES L. LIPSCOMB SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a student who demonstrates a sincere and meaningful commitment to diversity and a commitment to academic excellence.

Award: Up to $2,500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City, and a full or part-time J.D. candidate attending an eligible law school*.

The Gregory Harmon, Esq. Memorial Scholarship

In May 2015, the Black Bar Association of Bronx County (BBABC) renamed its annual scholarship to the “The Gregory Harmon, Esq. Memorial Scholarship” to honor a dear friend and trusted colleague of the organization, Gregory Harmon, who passed away on December 15, 2014.

Gregory Harmon was a true asset to the legal profession as he spent his legal career helping citizens of Bronx County – starting as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society and going on to open a successful practice specializing in criminal defense and probate work. Additionally, he served as a mentor and teacher to many Bronx students and new attorneys throughout his career. Gregory Harmon was an unwavering supporter of the BBABC where he served as President, Committee Chairperson, and member of its Board of Directors. He was also honored for his service to the BBABC with the Ivan G. Warner award in 2004.

The BBABC consolidated with the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) in 2016 and MBBA is committed to honoring Gregory Harmon’s legacy.

Award: Up to $2,500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a Bronx native or currently a resident in the Bronx, and a full or part-time J.D. candidate attending an eligible law school*.

1L Scholarship

Applicants must write an original paper on the impact of racial injustice in the legal profession.

Award: Up to $2,500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City, and a full or part-time J.D. candidate attending an eligible law school*.

*Eligible law schools include: Columbia University School of Law, New York University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, City University of New York School of Law, Cardozo School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, Brooklyn Law School, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, New York Law School, and Pace University School of Law.

Your support is essential in ensuring we can continue to provide these scholarships and other impactful initiatives.

How to Donate:

Zelle: friendsofmbba@mbbanyc.org; PayPal: Donate via PayPal

Donation Receipts: Email friendsofmbba@mbbanyc.org to confirm your donation and request a receipt for tax purposes.

The Friends of the MBBA, Inc. Board Members:

Evette C. Ennis, President

Sabrina Smith, Treasurer

Carl Forbes Jr., Director

Luwick Francois, Director

Candace Arrington, Director

Delonie A. Plummer, Director

The Annual Honorable Theodore T. Jones Golf Tournament and Wellness Retreat is a unique event is a perfect blend of connection, relaxation, and support for a great cause. Both golfers and non-golfers are welcome!

It allows the firm’s in-house counsel to network while playing golf or participating in a day of non-golf activities, CLE, spades tournament, and wellness-centered activities such as yoga, tennis, and pickleball. A portion of your payment may be tax deductible.