<p><img class="FloatRight" src="{staticroot}site/files/oldnewsfiles/2015BLSATrailblazers235px.jpg" alt="2015BLSATrailblazers235px" width="235" height="204" />The Black Law Students Association&nbsp;at Widener University School of Law in Delaware will recognize a distinguished African-American alumna at its fifth-annual Trailblazers and Pioneers Awards Banquet on <strong>Tuesday, Feb. 24</strong>. The event marks the organization&rsquo;s celebration of Black History Month.<br /><br />The program will honor Samantha Wilson &rsquo;02 of Philadelphia. The event will also feature a keynote address by Nicole Barkley, assistant dean and multicultural affairs officer, and a dance performance accompanying a spoken word presentation of poet Maya Angelou&rsquo;s &ldquo;Still I Rise.&rdquo; It will begin at <strong>6:30 p.m.</strong> in the <strong>Barristers&rsquo; Club</strong>, 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, Del.<br /><br />The Trailblazers and Pioneers Awards Banquet began in 2011 when the Black Law Students Association, known as BLSA, honored four of the law school&rsquo;s first minority graduates. The result was an inspiring evening with personal stories from alumni who were honored. Since then, 13 additional trailblazing alumni have been recognized at the program, which has become an annual highlight.<br /><br />&ldquo;We are proud of the tradition this event has established at the law school,&rdquo; said Adedayo Adu, the BLSA vice president who is chairing the banquet this year. &ldquo;It has grown into a highly anticipated evening of celebration, where a successful graduate receives well-deserved recognition and members of our Black Law Students Association witness firsthand what is possible through hard work and dedication. It is a positive force.&rdquo;<br /><br />Wilson received her law degree in 2002 and her LLM degree in health law in 2004. She is assistant general counsel at GlaxoSmithKline, supporting the company&rsquo;s global manufacturing and supply unit, which has more than 70 manufacturing sites worldwide. She is a seasoned transactions attorney with broad experience in complex global transactions. She also provides legal support on regulatory matters relating to international trade and environmental, health and safety matters.<br /><br />Wilson is a member of GSK legal department&rsquo;s Inclusion &amp; Diversity Steering Team and she co-chairs the company&rsquo;s North American Inclusion &amp; Diversity Subteam. She is a member of the African American Alliance &ndash; Navy Yard Steering Committee. She sits on the Leadership Council for KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Philadelphia Charter School. She also serves as a mentor to students at education levels ranging from middle through graduate school and as a job coach for professionals early in their careers and those managing career transitions.</p>