My name is Naomi Campbell, and I’m a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology. I’ve always been passionate about justice and fairness, which is why I’m currently preparing to enter law school to become a criminal defense attorney in Missouri. My dream is to advocate for those who have been overlooked or underserved by the legal system and to ensure that everyone has access to quality legal representation. Balancing motherhood, school, and work hasn’t been easy—I had my son during my last semester of undergrad, and navigating school while raising a child taught me resilience, discipline, and the power of community. Despite the challenges, I’ve stayed focused on my goals and never allowed my circumstances to deter me from pursuing my purpose. Outside of academics and work, I’ve always been passionate about giving back. I’ve participated in mentorship groups, supported peers with college planning, and recently joined a community of aspiring Black lawyers where we uplift and encourage one another through the law school journey. I believe in paying it forward and creating space for others to thrive, especially those walking paths similar to mine. As someone who relied on WIC and other assistance programs, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to stay focused on your future when financial burdens are ever-present. These experiences not only shaped my perseverance but also solidified my commitment to being an advocate for individuals who often feel voiceless within the legal system. With me entering law school full time, I will not be working a job. The demands of law school are rigorous, and as a mother, I have to be intentional about how I manage my time between parenting and academics. Any financial relief I receive would be a huge weight lifted. If awarded funds to help pay down my student loans, the money I save would go directly toward supporting myself and my son during this critical transition. It would help cover basic needs like rent, food, childcare, and transportation, without the added pressure of trying to juggle part-time work. This support would give me the breathing room to focus on excelling in law school and being fully present for my son. More importantly, it would be an investment in the future of a young Black mother committed to becoming a force for justice in her community. If I’m able to reduce my student loan debt, the money I save will be used to create greater stability for my family. That means investing in my son’s early education, building a financial cushion for the years ahead, and ultimately positioning myself to give back—whether through legal aid, mentorship, or programs that empower youth who don’t often see themselves represented in professional spaces.

Q1) When do you plan to begin law school? If you are matriculating this Fall (August 2025), please list the law schools you have applied to and heard back from. If you have already placed a seat deposit at a particular school, please indicate so. Q1A) I've been accepted to Washburn University School of Law and Northern Illinois University Law school. I've been waitlisted at University of Missouri-Columbia , and Washington University St. Louis. I have not put down a seat deposit yet, as I am awaiting on more decisions. Q2)What are your short- and long-term career goals? Q2A) Some of my short term career goals are excel in law school, gain practical experience, as well as prepare for the bar exam and licensing. Some of my long term career goals are secure a position at the Public Defenders office then transition into working at a Criminal defense law farm. I am willing to start in lower-level positions to gain experience. Next, I would pursue leadership roles like partner or senior associate and start specializing in a particular area of criminal defense. Lastly, my main goal is to become a well known and respected criminal defense attorney for my local community. Q3) How do you pursue learning and intellectual growth outside of formal education? Please provide examples of how this pursuit shaped your legal aspirations. Q3A) How I Pursue It: I expand my knowledge by reading law-related books, case law, legal journals, and even novels or non-fiction works that touch on legal themes. It helps me develop a deeper understanding of the law and hones my critical thinking skills. I read about real-world criminal cases, influential lawyers’ biographies, and books that delve into human rights, justice, or philosophy. Example: For instance, after reading The Innocent Man by John Grisham, I was deeply moved by the wrongful conviction of an innocent person. It fueled my desire to pursue criminal defense and advocate for individuals who may be wrongfully accused. Books like Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson further inspired me to consider criminal defense as a career path, especially focusing on marginalized communities and the flaws in the justice system. How I Pursue It: I make it a point to stay informed about social justice movements, criminal justice reform, and key issues that affect the legal landscape. I follow organizations like the Innocence Project and Equal Justice Initiative to stay updated on criminal justice issues and contribute to conversations around reform. Example: Following social justice movements like Black Lives Matter and the campaign for police reform has influenced my perspective on criminal defense. I now feel driven to focus my career on defending individuals who have been victims of systemic racism or unjust treatment by law enforcement. These issues are close to my heart and continue to shape my professional goals. Q4) Describe a moment when you stood up for what was right despite facing opposition and/or knowing you would be negatively affected. How did you navigate the dilemma and what did you takeaway from the experience? Q4A) Participating in the protest for Michael Brown in Ferguson was a powerful moment where I stood up for justice despite facing opposition and personal risk. I knew that getting involved could negatively impact my reputation and future opportunities, but I felt a moral responsibility to speak out against racial injustice and police brutality. The experience reinforced my commitment to fighting for those who are marginalized and deepened my desire to pursue a career in criminal defense, where I can advocate for justice, even in the face of adversity. Q5) Imagine you had the resources to create a philanthropic initiative. What cause would you support, and why? Q5A) If I had the resources to create a philanthropic initiative, I would focus on criminal justice reform, particularly addressing mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. My initiative would provide legal representation for those unable to afford it and offer re-entry support for formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them reintegrate into society with education, job training, and mental health services. Ultimately, I want to break the cycle of incarceration and contribute to creating a more just and equitable legal system.

My long-term careers goals are becoming a confident lawyer and helping the justice system. Once I get to Law School, I may better understand the type of law I want to practice. I know the types of law will range from family, criminal, and entertainment law. My plan with criminal law is to help those who are unheard of because of their race or financial stance. I plan to be a very great defense attorney if that route is taken. Winning this scholarship will help me from adding more money to my student loan debt. Beginning my college journey in community college, the cost of education was less expensive than a university. However still, at some point, I had to withdraw from student loans. Those student loans helped me pay for the general education classes that I needed to get to obtain my degree. I remember I stopped going to college because I was not ready; mentally, I was just there because my mom pushed me there. When I stopped going to college, I ended up owing money because I did not drop my classes properly. It took me more time and money to get back on track once I realized that I was ready to go to school for myself. I did obtain my associate's degree after I completed my time in community college. After obtaining my associate's degree, I went off to my local university studying criminal justice, obtaining a bachelor's degree. I am almost done with my bachelor's degree since I completed my general education requirements at the previous college. Law school is hard work and very costly. I know it will cost a significant amount of money to attend the local law school in my area. Winning this scholarship will prevent me from having to use student loans. This scholarship will help me get to Law school because it would allow me to save more money for my future degree, so I will not need to depend on student loans. I wish someone would have told me that you do not have to have a specific degree to apply and get accepted to law school. Studies say having a political science degree, English degree, or a history degree better prepares you for law school, amongst other degrees. I think nothing prepares you for law school. You learn as you go once you get there because you do not know what is coming.