Dear Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association (“VHFCNBA”) Members and Future Members,

Our organization was founded upon the principles of advancing access to justice, promoting economic parity for the less fortunate, underprivileged, and disadvantaged members of our society, and educating our communities on the importance of empowerment and self-determination. These ideals remain as relevant today as they were at our founding, and they continue to guide our work and inspire our service.

As I begin my term as President, I do so with deep gratitude for the leaders who came before me. Their vision, dedication, and sacrifice have built a strong foundation for our chapter and created a legacy of excellence. This year, we will continue to hold the torch they carried and build upon their remarkable contributions while advancing our mission in meaningful and impactful ways.

Our Board is committed to providing valuable Continuing Legal Education programming, promoting wellness through fitness and fellowship events, engaging our communities through voter registration initiatives and civic education, strengthening relationships through collaboration with our affiliate bar associations, and expanding mentorship opportunities for law students and fellow attorneys. Through these efforts, we will continue to develop leaders, serve our communities, and elevate our profession.

This year, our work will be guided by three pillars: Unity, Service, and Purpose.

Guided by Three Pillars:

Unity – Bringing people together and building bridges.

Service – Deep commitment to servant leadership.

Purpose – Being intentional in all that we do. Have a vision, set a goal, accomplish the goal through our combined synergies.

Unity means bringing people together. We recognize that our greatest strength lies in our collective efforts. We will strive to build bridges with our colleagues, affiliate organizations, community partners, and stakeholders so that we may create a lasting impact that extends beyond any one individual or organization.

Service reflects our commitment to others. As many great leaders have taught us, leadership begins with service. Whether through pro bono work, community outreach, mentorship, advocacy, or simply extending a helping hand, we are called to serve our communities and our fellow human beings with compassion, integrity, and excellence.

Purpose reminds us to be intentional in everything we do. Every initiative, every partnership, and every act of service should move us closer to fulfilling our mission. Purpose requires focus, commitment, and perseverance. As it is written in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Let this scripture encourage us to continue our work with determination, faith, and conviction.

As we look ahead, I invite each of you to join us in this journey. Let us work together with unity, lead through service, and move with purpose. Together, we can honor our legacy, strengthen our profession, empower our communities, and advance the mission of this association for generations to come.

Thank you for your support, your partnership, and your commitment to this important work. I look forward to serving alongside each of you in the year ahead.

Yours truly,

Vladimir St. Louis
2026-2027 President
Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association