Prime’s Frank Aba-Onu recognized for diversity and inclusion efforts

Frank Aba-Onu, legal counsel at Prime Therapeutics, was part of a team recognized at an awards celebration October 7 with a D&I award from Minnesota Lawyer. The magazine recognizes groups and individuals within the legal community for making a significant impact with respect to diversity and inclusion on the greater community or within their organizations.

Aba-Onu is co-chair of MN-CBAC, which formed in 2020 when the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, Minnesota American Indian Bar Association, Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association came together with the mission to:

• Advance issues of common interest and concern.
• Provide mutual support and professional development.
• Collectively improve the legal profession and access to justice in Minnesota.

As co-chair, Aba-Onu helps MN-CBAC with its day-to-day operations and played a significant role in finalizing the coalition’s by-laws.

MN-CBAC received the award in the “group” category for its work in hosting its 2020 Twin Cities Legal D&I Data Project Reveal event. The event showcased results from a diversity survey to which large law firms and nine corporate legal departments in Minnesota responded. This survey brought about transparency of D&I representation, while also helping to promote accountability and develop best practices to increase representation of women and racial/ethnic persons in the workplace. The event was so successful that the coalition is making it an annual occurrence.

In addition to its award-winning event, MN-CBAC also collaborated with the Minnesota Attorneys General’s office to host a training for attorneys on assisting people with their expungements and pardon petitions. After the training, attorneys signed up to provide pro bono services to help people who may not otherwise have access these resources.

“MN-CBAC is so deserving of this award. While this was a collective effort, this also exemplifies Frank’s collaboration, leadership and dedication in the D&I space,” says Amy Taber, assistant vice president, assistant general counsel. “We are extremely fortunate to have Frank as part of the Prime team.”

“It is good to see the efforts of the coalition recognized by our legal community,” said Aba-Onu. “Most of all, having more folks aware of what the coalition helps spread recognition, awareness and hopefully buy-in to our mission. I am also proud of the work our advisors did to stand up this coalition, as well as the work of the other co-chairs and members.”

This was Minnesota Lawyer’s fifth annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards.

See the full list of honorees.