I came to law school because I wanted to advocate for the civil rights of others, but especially for those in the Black community. The killing of Michael Brown in 2014 and the Black Lives Matter protests that occurred in Ferguson, MO, just 30 minutes from my hometown of St. Louis, left me saddened, enraged, and confused. I couldn’t understand why such tragedies were allowed to happen, and there is often little to no justice. This confusion led me specifically to Howard University School of Law, where I knew my education would be tailored towards becoming a social engineer and there would be other advocates who sought to protect the civil rights of Black people. Law school has exposed me to a variety of civil rights violations that Black people face daily. Although the legal field heavily promotes diversity and inclusion, there is a lack of Black attorneys and many more are needed to successfully advocate for the needs of Black people. Not only do certain laws put Black people at a disadvantage, but the entire legal community is imbued with bias, and yes, racism, that prevents the justice system from being, well—just. My passion to help the Black community extends beyond just one legal issue or area of law, instead, I aspire to use my talents and my degree to advocate for the rights of Black individuals in a multitude of areas including in employment, education, voting, and §1983 police misconduct cases. Being a lawyer requires not only diligence, but someone who is passionate and thorough in the work that they do. I understand that overcoming racial barriers in the justice system is not easy, and it will be a long, and sometimes stressful process. However, I often think about how the Thurgood Marshalls, and the Constance Baker Motleys, prevailed and continued the fight. I’m sure the work was ten times more draining than it is in today’s “progressive” society, but they had the energy and the passion to keep going. Moreover, what made them so successful was their reputation of being thorough, skilled, and ethical lawyers. Effective civil rights advocacy must be strategic, persistent, and executed with proficiency. Passion alone will not suffice. In addition to my passion, I seek to embody the ideals of a competent lawyer and give my future clients the best representation possible. Since starting law school, I have been able to build on these skills through volunteering, internships, and I am currently a student-attorney in the Civil Rights Clinic at Howard. No matter what area of law that I practice, providing competent, diligent, and ethical representation will best advance the legal claims of Black individuals and give them a chance to not only hope for but receive justice. I will have some wins as well as some losses, but like the greats before me, I will not falter on my duties to provide adequate representation, and I will not let my losses discourage me. I would like to extend my condolences to you and your family for the loss of your son, and I thank you for providing this scholarship in his honor.

I have been learning to keep a growth mindset by practicing gratitude daily. At the beginning of 2021, I knew that it was important for me shift my mindset around life and the way that I react to certain situations. I had recently lost my father at the beginning of 2020, only a month after starting law school. I kept saying "why me?" I felt as if a significant part of my life had been taken from me overnight and I was stuck as to how I would move forward, if I would even move forward. I spent the rest of that fall semester sulking in my grief. I slept all day, ate maybe once a day, and I definitely was not focus or dedicated to my law studies. I managed to finish that semester with a solid C+ average, and honestly, I was just thankful to have passed. Although I allowed myself to grieve, I knew that my current habits would only lead to further depression and I was tired of not feeling like myself. In January of 2021, I picked up a book called "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne's and it was as if my life changed over night. For the first time in my life I finally understood that I truly had the power to shift my reality. I began to meditate daily and I would write in my journal at least three things I was grateful for. Reflecting on all the past memories I had with my father made me realized I was so blessed to have experienced a father like mine. Practicing gratitude and being grateful for the small things made me happier, and I naturally performed better in school. That semester, I increased my GPA to a B and even secured a Summer internship!