John Crump, JD, CMP, CAE
Director, Strategic Alliances and Historian and Executive Director Emeritus, National Bar Association (Suitland, Maryland and Washington, DC)
Executive Director Emeritus of the National Bar Association (NBA), John Crump received his BA degree in 1967 and his Juris Doctor in 1970 from Texas Southern University, and embarked on a 30-year career of service to the bar and the legal profession. From the start he distinguished himself as a visionary leader of the NBA, increasing its membership and helping it make an impact by lending monetary support to civil rights attorneys pursuing discrimination cases. Under Crump’s leadership the NBA continued to be a powerhouse for civil rights.
The American Bar Association (ABA) noted Crump’s contribution to the NBA and the legal profession, presenting him a Lifetime Achievement Award at its mid-year meeting February 6, 2010, “in recognition of outstanding service to the bar, the profession, and the ABA’s goal of eliminating bias and enhancing diversity.”
A champion of diversity in the legal profession, Crump always believed that if America is to become a country of inclusion the legal system must lead the way. To this end he set out to find a way to motivate young students to seek careers in the legal profession. In 2001 he established the NBA Crump Law Camp to introduce 14-17 year olds in the 9th through 11th grades to the American judicial system. Housed at Howard University, the two-week residential program provides students a rigorous academic agenda, exposure to the courts, and lectures by top legal professionals in the nation’s capitol. The Crump Law Camp has become the centerpiece of the NBA’s effort to “grow lawyers of color” and a model for other bar associations.
As a testament to Crump’s commitment to diversity the Council on Legal Education Opportunity presented him the Diversity Pioneer Award on its 40th anniversary in 2008. Diversity & the Bar Magazine (January/February 2009) chronicled his NBA career and highlighted his contribution to the NBA’s development and character. Also citing his contribution to the NBA, the Washington Bar Association presented him its 2009 President’s Recognition Award.
Recipient of numerous awards from civic, professional, and educational organizations throughout his career, Crump says that serving as NBA executive director for three decades was more than a job or title, it was a commitment.
He is married to the former Edythe Traylor; they have one son, Jason.