202. Attorney Ashley Upkins on the Work of the National Bar Association, the future of Black Legal Leadership, and Finding Common Ground

In this episode, Angela Reddock-Wright sits down with Attorney Ashley Upkins, President of the National Bar Association and in-house counsel at clean-energy company Silicon Ranch in Nashville, Tennessee, to talk about leadership, justice, and finding common ground in a divided time. From her roots as a “born and raised” Nashville girl inspired by the attorney character Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show to leading the largest association of Black lawyers in the U.S. and abroad, Ashley shares how faith, family, and a commitment to service shaped her journey, reflects on Nashville’s true “Music City” history through Fisk University and the Jubilee Singers, and explains why Black attorneys’ advocacy on behalf of  African Americans advances justice for everyone.  

We also explore the National Bar Association’s historic and current work—court monitoring, judicial nominations, amicus briefs, and rapid-response advocacy around voting rights, policing, and civil liberties—and challenging lawyers and non-lawyers alike to resist cynicism, focus on shared values, “do justice” in whatever lane they occupy, and help the NBA remain a frontline defender of democracy by leading, serving, and building bridges.

Key Topics Covered: 

• Ashley Upkins’ Nashville roots, family background, and early inspiration to become a lawyer based on images and representation on television such as iconic attorney of Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show
• Her path to bar leadership and what it means to serve as President of the National Bar Association in this political and social moment
• The mission and work of the National Bar Association in advancing justice, supporting Black attorneys, and impacting national legal and policy issues.​
• Balancing service and career as in-house counsel at Silicon Ranch and why corporate lawyers are critical to social impact and equity.​
• Ashley’s philosophy of focusing on shared humanity and common ground rather than division—and her challenge to the public to “do justice” in their own spheres.

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