The 30th Annual Black History Month Dinner, hosted by the Lawyers Association of St. Louis in partnership with the Mound City Bar Association, was a night of inspiration, reflection, and celebration. This year’s keynote address was delivered by distinguished guest speaker, Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District Judge Renée Hardin-Tammons, who delivered a powerful address that honored the legacy of Judge Theodore McMillian, the event’s namesake (and first guest speaker), and underscored the enduring importance of diversity, courage, and dedication to purpose in the legal profession, particularly in times of great difficulty. Key to navigating difficult times, instructed Judge Hardin-Tammons, was to “remain faithful to your purpose and hopeful for the future.”
Judge Hardin-Tammons reminded the audience that Judge McMillian’s journey was not an easy one, but was marked with a purpose to “be somebody someday,” as was quoted from the Herbert Brewster poem. Judge McMillian’s story is not just one of professional excellence, it is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Born in 1919 in St. Louis, the great-grandson of a slave, Judge McMillian grew up in humble circumstances as the eldest of ten siblings. Despite economic hardship, he excelled academically, earning degrees in mathematics and physics from Lincoln University before pivoting to law due to racial barriers that delayed his admission to medical school by five years.
After graduating first in his law school class from Saint Louis University, he faced the painful reality that downtown St. Louis law firms refused to hire him because of his race. Undeterred, he opened his own firm, later becoming the first African American assistant circuit attorney and eventually the first African American judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals. His rise through a number of other “firsts” culminated when President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, another historic accomplishment as its first African American justice. Judge Hardin-Tammons emphasized what history may obscure from a story like this, and that is that Judge McMillian “had to be courageous to reach the heights he did” in the time in which he lived.
Judge McMillian’s impact extended far beyond his own success. He championed equal protections for children, advocated for juvenile justice reform, and worked tirelessly to improve community treatment programs and family courts. His judicial philosophy was rooted in fairness, as seen in his powerful dissenting opinions that pushed for justice beyond mere technicalities. His opinions shaped hostile work environment law under Title VII and advanced protections against racial discrimination in jury selection well before the landmark Batson v. Kentucky decision.
Judge Hardin-Tammons emphasized that Judge McMillian’s legacy carries a profound lesson for today’s lawyers who find themselves in a world much like the one faced by Judge McMillian. Her reminder to us all was to face today’s struggles in the same way that Judge McMillian faced them, “with a dogged determination and drive, dedicated to serving others.” In a world still fraught with division and challenge, his example reminds us that we must engage with our work not just with skill, but “with courage and civility.” She urged attendees to embody his tenacity, to advocate for justice with conviction, and to foster diversity in the legal profession, not simply as an ideal, but as an imperative for a just society.
She reminded us all of the song sang in the Baptist church, “trouble don’t last always!” She challenged us all to remember that “hope is the feeling of wanting something to happen and in thinking that it could happen.” Her challenge? She summed it up as follows: “I challenge you. I encourage you. I admonish you, to keep hoping!”
The dinner was more than a commemoration to the example of Judge McMillian – it was a call to action to all of us. As Judge Hardin-Tammons concluded, she challenged every lawyer in attendance to continue the work Judge McMillian started: to navigate contentious times with integrity, serve their communities with passion, and keep hope alive even in the face of unprecedented adversity and challenges to the rule of law.
The Lawyers Association of St. Louis and the Mound City Bar Association have, for three decades, upheld the spirit of this event, the brainchild of former president and Award of Honor Winner, Mr. Leonard Cervantes, celebrating the trailblazers who have paved the way and inspiring the next generation to build upon that foundation. In honoring Judge McMillian, we honor not only his memory but also the ongoing mission of ensuring that justice is fair, fearless, and accessible to all.
Judge Theodore McMillian’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance. His story serves as a reminder that when we meet adversity with determination, when we champion justice with courage, and when we serve with purpose, we create a legacy that endures beyond our years.
At the end of her remarks, Judge Hardin-Tammons asked all in attendance who could to rise to their feet, a literal call to action. She asked all of us to join our hands and repeat after her the simple, powerful message: “Working together, we can make the world a better place.” Those in attendance left the evening feeling more connected to one another, and more importantly, empowered to carry out the message of the night, with courage and conviction.
For more information about the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, the Mound City Bar Association, and their commitment to diversity and justice, please visit their websites.