GABWA

What GABWA does

GABWA (Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys) is a 501(c)(3) statewide professional membership organization founded in 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia, with an active membership of 800+ women and men. Its mission is to nurture, support, and galvanize the power of Black women attorneys; advocate for women and children; and empower communities. GABWA operates six regional chapters (Albany, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah) covering the State of Georgia, and serves members across the judiciary, government, Fortune 500 corporate counsel, large law firms (including King & Spalding and Alston & Bird), solo and small firms, law professors, and law students at institutions such as the University of Georgia, Mercer, Columbus State, and Georgia State.

GABWA's product portfolio centers on membership (four tiers: Regular, Associate, Law Student, and Student Associate) bundled with CLE programming, a member directory, a moderated listserve, and access to flagship academies. The Professional Development Academy (PDA), launched 2008, delivers intensive CLE-bearing training (12-18 credits per session) and has graduated 500+ new lawyers. The Judicial and Public Office Academy (JPOA), launched 2011, develops a pipeline of African-American female candidates for judicial and elected office. Additional programming includes the Sister2Sister Mentoring Program (with Fulton County Juvenile Court, est. 2001), the Civil Pro Bono Wills Project (with Atlanta Legal Aid Society, est. 2007), the Founders Awards program (est. 2006), and the award-winning Legally Speaking television program. The GABWA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) subsidiary established 1983, administers charitable activities and has awarded over $650,000 in scholarships to African-American women law students since 2002.

The organization's business model is non-profit and diversified across five revenue streams: recurring annual membership dues, event sponsorships, the annual Glitter Gala & Auction fundraiser, tax-deductible donations to the GABWA Foundation, and CLE program fees. GABWA's go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, reaching members through its website (ClubExpress platform), Gabby's Gazette monthly newsletter, active social media presence (Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook), the annual gala, and regional chapter programming. The organization has received the State Bar of Georgia President's Cup and Award of Merit in multiple years (2008, 2014, 2022, 2023), as well as the 2008 NCWBA Public Service Award for the Civil Pro Bono Wills Project. Pricing is not publicly disclosed for membership tiers, though individual event pricing (e.g., Family Day at $22/person) is published.

Name

GABWA

Legal name

Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys

Website

https://gabwa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

GABWA (Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys) is a 501(c)(3) statewide professional membership organization founded in 1981, serving 800+ Black women attorneys and legal professionals in Georgia through membership, CLE programs, academies, mentorship, and community service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from individual members including judges, law students, attorneys at various career stages
2. Event Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsorships for events including the Glitter Gala & Auction, general body meetings, and annual programming
3. Glitter Gala & Auction: Annual signature fundraiser featuring auction items and ticket sales to support the GABWA Foundation's charitable activities
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to support foundation programs including scholarships, mentoring, and community service initiatives
5. CLE Program Fees: Continuing Legal Education programs offering credits to attorneys, with discounts for members

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GABWA is a non-profit statewide professional membership association that sells annual memberships (Regular, Associate, Law Student, Student Associate) to attorneys, judges, and law students, primarily in Georgia. Its core deliverables include access to continuing legal education (CLE) programs, networking events, mentorship pipelines, leadership-development academies, community-service pro bono projects, and an annual signature fundraiser (the Glitter Gala & Auction) that supports its charitable foundation arm.

Product overview

GABWA operates as a professional membership organization offering a portfolio of programs and services for Black women attorneys and legal professionals in Georgia. The core offering is annual membership providing access to CLE programming, networking events, mentorship, member directory, and business directory. Key programs include the Professional Development Academy (launched 2008) providing intensive training for new lawyers with 12-18 CLE credits per session; the Judicial and Public Office Academy (launched 2011) focused on pipeline development for judiciary and elected offices; the Sister2Sister Mentoring Program for teen girls; the Civil Pro Bono Wills Project providing wills to underserved populations; and the annual Glitter Gala and Auction as the signature fundraiser for the GABWA Foundation. Additional offerings include the Founders Awards program, Gabby's Gazette newsletter, Fifth Thursday CLE series, General Body Meetings, Legally Speaking television program, and a member listserve. The GABWA Foundation provides over $650,000 in scholarships to African American women law students since 2002.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Judicial and Public Office Academy (JPOA): A non-partisan academy launched in 2011 to support, educate, promote, and fuel the pipeline of well-prepared African-American female attorneys who desire to obtain public office.
• Professional Development Academy (PDA)
• Gabby's Gazette
• Glitter Gala & Auction

Products and services

• GABWA Membership Annual membership in the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys providing access to CLE programs, networking events, mentorship, member directory, listserve, and business directory. Open to all individuals regardless of race or sex.
• Professional Development Academy (PDA) Intensive professional development program launched in 2008 for GABWA members beginning their legal careers. Consists of twice-yearly sessions with ten classes over four weeks covering topics including Social Media Etiquette, Building Relationships, and The Business of Practicing Law. Offers 12-18 CLE credits per session. Has graduated over 500 new lawyers since inception.
• Judicial and Public Office Academy (JPOA) Non-partisan academy launched in 2011 to increase Black female representation in judiciary and elected offices. Provides pre-planning education for candidates through sessions covering fundraising, Campaigning 101, judicial appointments, and personal/professional considerations. Classes held on Wednesdays and Saturdays over four to five consecutive weeks.
• Sister2Sister Mentoring Program Mentoring program established in 2001 with Fulton County Juvenile Court to assist teen girls, many in the juvenile court system, through adult mentoring and bi-monthly workshops covering self-worth, peer pressure avoidance, health education, and public speaking. Includes academic assistance and ACT/SAT prep. Partners with Center for Black Women's Wellness for annual Community Health Fair.
• Civil Pro Bono Wills Project Partnership between GABWA and Atlanta Legal Aid Society established in April 2007. Provides advanced health directives and wills to citizens suffering from AIDS/HIV, cancer, and terminal illnesses. Recognized with NCWBA 2008 Public Service Award.
• Glitter Gala and Auction Annual signature fundraiser benefiting the GABWA Foundation. Features theme-based gala, auction, and Founders Awards ceremony. Supports scholarship funding and Foundation programs.
• Founders Awards Awards program established in July 2006 recognizing GABWA members and community leaders for excellence in the profession, community service, commitment to family, and political action. Includes Leah Ward Sears Award, Barbara A. Harris Award, Bensonetta Tipton Lane Award, and Zenith Awards.
• Gabby's Gazette

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established in April 2007 for the Civil Pro Bono Wills Project, through which GABWA members provide advanced health directives and wills to citizens of Atlanta suffering from AIDS/HIV, cancer, and other terminal illnesses.
• Fulton County Juvenile CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established in 2001 to begin the Sister2Sister Mentoring Program, designed to assist teen girls, many who have entered the juvenile court system, through adult mentoring and bi-monthly workshops/trainings.
• Georgia Supreme Court's Commission on EqualitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssisted in establishing the Sister2Sister Mentoring Program in 2001 and supported the Color of Justice Program.
• Center for Black Women's WellnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Community Health Fair, hosting annual free health and wellness fair for the Mechanicsville Community.
• ForeverfamilyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership as part of the Civil Pro Bono Wills Project to provide back-to-school supplies and other assistance to children of incarcerated parents.
• Andrew & Walter Young Southwest YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGABWA Foundation provided significant contributions to help create the Isabel Gates Webster Nursery at the YMCA, named in honor of one of the first African American women attorneys in Atlanta.
• Atlanta Bar AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term supporter of the Atlanta Bar Association's Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP), which offers summer opportunities to Atlanta area high school students interested in the legal profession.
• King & Spalding LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among sponsors of GABWA events including Glitter Gala and general programming.
• Alston & Bird LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among Silver Excellence Sponsors at Glitter Gala and general programming sponsors.
• TruistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Excellence Sponsor at 2022 Glitter Gala, supporting GABWA's programming.
• Chick-fil-AminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Excellence Sponsor at 2022 Glitter Gala, supporting GABWA's programming.
• Georgia Hispanic Bar AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as Host Committee member for Glitter Gala, indicating inter-bar association collaboration.
• Gate City Bar AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as Host Committee member and supporter of Justice Benham Law Camp, indicating inter-bar association collaboration.
• State Bar of GeorgiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and awarding body for President's Cup and Award of Merit. Supports GABWA's recognition programs.
• Porsche Cars North America, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Excellence Sponsor at 2022 Glitter Gala, supporting GABWA's programming.
• Georgia State University College of LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Excellence Sponsor at 2022 Glitter Gala and supporter of legal education pipeline.
• University of Georgia School of LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends Of GABWA sponsor supporting legal education and diversity in the profession.
• Spelman CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor through Alumnae Affairs, supporting pipeline of Black women entering the legal profession.
• National Bar AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among company sponsors of GABWA.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta Bar Association: Largest voluntary bar association in Georgia serving metro Atlanta attorneys. GABWA is a long-term supporter of Atlanta Bar Association's Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP). Operates analogous programming (CLEs, sections, networking) for a Georgia legal audience.
• Hispanic National Bar Association: National bar association advancing Hispanic attorneys in the U.S. Structurally and programmatically analogous to GABWA as a national identity-based bar association supporting professional development, pipeline, and advocacy.
• Gate City Bar Association: Atlanta-based bar association for African American attorneys, founded 1948. Directly comparable as a Georgia-based, race-conscious bar association hosting joint events and serving on GABWA's Glitter Gala host committee.
• National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL): National membership organization for women attorneys advancing women in the legal profession. Closely analogous to GABWA in mission (supporting women lawyers) and programming (networking, professional development, awards), but at national scale and without GABWA's specific racial focus.
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association: National bar association for Asian Pacific American attorneys. Comparable structure (national identity-based bar association, regional affiliates, conventions, pipeline programming) and overlapping mission to advance underrepresented attorneys.
• South Asian Bar Association of North America: National network of South Asian attorneys with affiliated regional chapters. Operates an analogous model to GABWA — identity-focused bar association with regional chapters, galas, mentorship, and pipeline programming.
• National Conference of Women's Bar Associations (NCWBA): Coalition of women's bar associations that has recognized GABWA's pro bono work with the 2008 Public Service Award. Comparable as a network of state and local women's bar associations serving overlapping missions.

Regional players

• Magnolia Bar Association: Association of Black women attorneys in Mississippi modeled similarly to GABWA. Direct structural peer as a sister state-level organization serving Black women attorneys, demonstrating the portability and existence of GABWA's niche across states.

Broad incumbents

• National Bar Association: The largest and oldest national association of African American attorneys and law students. Highly comparable as a parallel mission-driven bar association, but with national scope and a broader racial/ethnic constituency than GABWA.
• State Bar of Georgia: Mandatory unified bar for all Georgia-licensed attorneys. Recognizes GABWA via the President's Cup and Award of Merit. Comparable as a Georgia legal professional association, though operating at mandatory-membership scale and serving all attorneys.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gabwaesq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNwMlp1AhH8hv8cUXIYBwaA
• Facebookfacebook.com/p/Georgia-Association-of-Black-Women-Attorneys-GABWA-61571488928499
• Instagraminstagram.com/gabwa.esq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/georgia-association-of-black-women-attorneys

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GABWA