Learning that imprisonment will touch the lives of one in every three Black men forced me to confront what this meant for my own family—my three brothers, whose futures suddenly felt more fragile. What began as a statistic evolved into the driving force behind my commitment to legal advocacy, revealing an inescapable truth: our justice system fails those who need it most, particularly Black Americans and the economically disadvantaged. My law school education has exposed the machinery behind this inequality: I have come to understand how our criminal system functions as an extension of historical racial control mechanisms, wrapped in modern procedures that treat human lives as cases to be processed rather than stories to be heard. Through rigorous study of criminal law and procedure, I have witnessed how systematic failures have become so embedded in our legal culture that we mistake dysfunction for normalcy. This understanding has strengthened my commitment to public defense work, where I can serve as both a guardian of constitutional rights and a catalyst for transformative change. My involvement with Gideon's Promise public defender organization over the past two years has deepened my appreciation for the significance of zealous representation in fulfilling the constitutional right to counsel. However, I have also learned that true justice demands more than technical competence – it requires proximity. Making ourselves proximate to those we serve means bridging the gap between legal ideals and lived realities through human connection, dignity, and understanding. This principle will guide my approach to client-centered representation, where I will see each case not as a file in my hands, but as a life in my hands. My path to criminal defense may be unconventional, having gained experience in legislative work, personal injury, and real estate law. Still, this diverse background has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of how legal systems intersect with broader social inequities. My time as a legislative intern provided invaluable insight into how policy decisions impact society at every level. At the same time, my litigation experience developed practical skills in case preparation and client communication. This foundation will enable me to advocate not only within individual cases but also for systemic reforms that address the racial and classist roots of our justice system. My commitment to equity and justice extends beyond individual representation to coalition building and community engagement. Starting an NAACP chapter in high school taught me that meaningful change requires collective action and sustained advocacy. This year, as BLSA President, I have continued this work by organizing a "Know Your Rights" Fourth Amendment presentation at Cure Violence Atlanta for at risk youth, hosting a "Taking Up Space" alumni panel that connected current students with successful legal professionals, and leading voter registration drives to increase civic participation in our community in one of the most important elections of our time. Additionally, as Undergraduate Liaison of the Charlotte E. Ray Legal Society (CERLS), I am dedicated to increasing the representation of Black women in the legal field. In this role, I established a Georgia chapter with more than 30 undergraduate women pursuing law school, creating a pipeline of diverse talent and providing mentorship to the next generation of legal advocates. These experiences have reinforced my belief that meaningful change requires both direct service and systemic efforts to diversify the profession itself. Ultimately, I believe every day presents a choice between resisting or upholding unjust systems. My legal education has prepared me to choose resistance – to rebuild and reimagine transformative lawyering that aligns practice with principle. Justice will remain an empty promise until we rebuild our criminal justice system around the principle that dignity is inherent in all people, not earned through wealth, privilege, or proximity. Through zealous advocacy, community engagement, and unwavering commitment to equity, I intend to help propel our society into the next phase of change, where justice is accessible to all.

What matters most to me is equity. The notion that society would be a more effective place if people with varying circumstances were given the resources they needed in order to not only survive but thrive. Practically every system in place shows a degree of implicit or explicit bias from disenfranchisement in education, to the job market, to homeownership, and those who are fortunate enough to benefit are unwilling to undergo change necessary to mass distribute the same advantages of said systems to others. Each of us are individuals with varying plights, circumstances, and aspirations however, our access to resources should be equal and they simply are not. I have come to think of our world like the classic game of monopoly. There are rules in place that have allowed some to go around the board many times assuming all of the property, wealth, and having a lifelong get out of jail free card. On the contrary, others are held back, thrown in jail, and unable to acquire property and wealth at the same rates. This is why I strive to go to law school and get my juris doctor to be a catalyst for redistributing knowledge, wealth, power, and hope into communities that suffer most. I aspire to generate generational upward social mobility for those it is practically inaccessible for through opportunities, initiatives, and public policies. The change you effect in people’s lives can change the trajectory of theirs. 2. With 3% of attorneys identifying as black and female, I was aware that there would be obstacles in pursuing the road to esquire. I was also aware that similar to undergrad there would be financial barriers. Copious fees began to rear its head in the form of LSAT preparation and test costs along with application fees. What truly took me by surprise was the imposter syndrome that hit way before I stepped foot in a classroom. Once the post acceptance excitement set in, anxiety and panic wrapped me like a blanket and told me that I simply do not belong in this space. This taught me how to speak positively to myself and remind myself why I am pursuing law in the first place. Thinking on all the potential for change that I can make by preserving, I rightfully take up the space I worked to acquire. There will be days where the journey won’t always feel within reach. These insights allow me to continue to show up as my best self through the adversity and obstacles. I have created my own lane by organizing and empowering my community, earning my bachelors degree from the top co-ed historically black college/university in the country, working at the Senate level, and now by pursuing my Juris Doctor. Resilience is in my DNA, on my skin, in my hair, and it prospers in times of challenge. These experiences have molded me and will help me in bringing a well rounded and dynamic perspective in to the classroom and into the legal field.