The Minorities in the Profession Committee (MIP) of the North Carolina Bar Association is pleased to welcome all members — returning and new — to an exciting and meaningful bar year. As we step into the 2025–2026 year, we are thrilled to introduce ourselves as co-chairs: Erin Locklear and Cherell Harris, two dynamic leaders who bring experience, vision, and a deep commitment to advancing and supporting belonging for all attorneys in the legal profession.

Meet Your Co-Chairs

Erin Locklear is a respected attorney and a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. She currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, where she advises on policy, compliance, and governance matters. Erin is a graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Math, Princeton University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. Her career has been marked by a strong focus on public service, and she has a particular interest in uplifting underrepresented voices in the legal field. Erin’s leadership reflects her passion for community engagement and systemic equity.

Cherell Harris is a second career attorney with over 25 years of strategic advisory and project management experience across multiple industries. She currently serves as an Associate Counsel at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, where she brings compassion and diligence to every interaction with vendors and her internal clients. Cherell is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law, North Carolina A&T State University and Spelman College. Since graduating from law school, Cherell has been active in mentorship and pipeline programs designed to support law students and early-career attorneys. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to access for all, and she brings this same energy to her role in MIP.

Looking Ahead: Our Vision for the Year

This bar year, under Erin and Cherell’s leadership, the MIP Committee will continue its legacy of fostering community, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for minority attorneys and law students across North Carolina. With a renewed focus on pipeline initiatives, networking events, and collaborative programs with other NCBA sections and affinity bars, the committee aims to create spaces where all members can thrive, connect, and lead.

We are particularly excited to welcome new members and encourage participation at all levels — whether you’re a law student, new attorney, or seasoned practitioner, your voice and presence are vital. This is your community.

Join Us

Stay tuned for upcoming events, committee meetings, and ways to get involved. We invite you to bring your ideas, share your experiences, and help us shape a more inclusive legal profession in North Carolina.

On behalf of Erin, Cherell and the entire MIP council — welcome to a new year of purpose, connection, and progress.

Let’s do this together.

For more information about the Minorities in the Profession Committee or to get involved, please visit the NCBA website and register to join us virtually for our second committee meeting on November 14, 2025.

October 6, 2025/by NCBA MIP