Episode 2: Sistahs in Law School Pt. 1

Episode Transcript

[00:00:00] [00:00:00]Charity: [00:00:20] Hey, y'all. Thank you for joining me for episode two of the Sistahs in Law podcast.  My name is Charity Gates. And I'm your host.  This is a [00:00:30] podcast featuring intimate conversations with Black women in law.  Every other week, we will listen to stories from black women about their trials, triumphs and tribulations navigating careers in the legal field. 

[00:00:42] Before we get started today. I just wanted to make a quick statement about the cataclysmic events that happened in the U.S. Capitol last week.  It is the reflection of the two realities,  the double consciousness that we as Black folks live in. This is why [00:01:00] I started the podcast because black women who are in law, aren't just attorneys or law students, or judges or policymakers,  we are also human beings racialized as Black. And this gives us a particular identity that informs every aspect of our lives no matter if we want it to or not. 

[00:01:21]It is our reality that we live in day in and day out. And can't just remove like our outside clothes for the day. It is us. This is [00:01:30] why I want this platform to be a space where we can openly and authentically discuss our experiences in the field that was not meant for us to be in, but one in which we have defied circumstances, and exceptionally far exceeded expectations. 

[00:01:46]  And with that being said, Today's episode features some of my former colleagues who are still currently students at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City, my alma mater. I sat down [00:02:00] with Khensani, Victoria, Ayana, Jasmine, and Mieola, to get their perspectives on being Sistahs in law school. 

[00:02:07]The ladies come from a range of years from 1L all the way to 3L. And from varied backgrounds. You can catch part two of this episode, which features Grayson, who  missed the original taping due to scheduling conflicts, but nonetheless had amazing things to say,  Both parts are filled with so much love and authenticity [00:02:30] and so many gems for those contemplating law school or those already navigating law school as first gen students. You can check out the bio for each of these ladies in the episode description.  All right. Enough of me talking. Let's hear what these ladies had to say.  

[00:02:47] Hey ladies. Welcome to the Sistahs in Law podcast. Thank you so much for joining me today! I'm so excited to get into this conversation with y'all! [00:03:00]  Today we'll be talking about experiencing law school as a Black woman and as Black women.

[00:03:07]     Let's go around and say your name, year in law school, and your origin story. So, where are you and your people from?   And anyone can jump in.

[00:03:19]  Victoria Lowe: [00:03:20] I'll jump in here. Charity, thank you so much for having us here. This is so exciting!  My name is Victoria Lowe. I am currently a 2L , so going into my spring [00:03:30] semester of 2L year. And my origin story, I think is such a great question.  I'm from... both my family they're from the States,  with definitely  some family members from the Caribbean as well. From my mom's side,  she's from Macon, Georgia.  So I have a lot of ties to Georgia and the South. And then my dad's family is from New York. Specifically, my grandmother's from Queens and we migrated over to the Bronx. I'm a girl from the Bronx with roots in Harlem.

[00:03:59] [00:04:00]Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:04:00] I can jump in next. My name is Jasmine Cooper- Little, and I am a 3L going into my spring semester last semester to be exact. And my origin story is, my dad is from Alabama and my mom and her family they were... my mom and her siblings were raised in Connecticut, but my mom's parents came from Alabama and Georgia.

[00:04:24] So I still have a lot of ties on my dad's side  specifically Montgomery, Alabama. [00:04:30] My dad actually lives in Tuscaloosa now. Just many trips as a child going back and I still have a lot of family there.

[00:04:36] Khensani Mathebula: [00:04:38] I can go next.

[00:04:38]Um, So my name is Khensani Mathebula  and I am a  2L. And I am from South Africa. My mom is from Eastern Cape. My dad is from a province called Mpumalanga, but I grew up in Johannesburg where they met and I moved to New York city 10 years ago now. So, I don't think that really makes me a New Yorker, but maybe soon.

[00:04:59]Charity: [00:04:59] I [00:05:00] think you're close to it!

[00:05:03] Ayana McPherson: [00:05:04] Hi everyone.  My name is Ayana McPherson. I am a 3L like Jasmine, I am on my way out. Thank God! But I am from Brooklyn, New York. My family, my dad's side is from Guyana, South America and my mom is from a small town in Mississippi called Shaw.

[00:05:24] Mieola Easter: [00:05:25] Hey everyone. I'm Mieola Easter. I'm a 1L. I just finished my first semester of [00:05:30] law school. My family is all from Mississippi, both my mom and my dad's side.  Even though my immediate family, we moved around a lot,  in younger ages, but I lived in Houston for the majority of the time, but my roots are in Mississippi.

[00:05:45]  Charity: [00:05:45] Oh, wow! So much geographic diversity in here. I love it. Next question. How did you all go about deciding which law school you wanted to attend?  So from the contemplation stage to the [00:06:00] application stage, what went into your thoughts about law school? 

[00:06:05]Mieola Easter: [00:06:05] I think for me, I first determined what area of law I wanted to go into. So going into law school, I knew I had an interest in entertainment law, so Iknew, okay, I want to go to a hub city. So either  L.A. or New York would be my priority. And then I know that I want to do music law, that's kind of my goal. So, I looked at law schools that had a strong entertainment music, [00:06:30] law program. And Cardozo was one of those schools who were in the top for music law. So I was like, "This would be a great school for me to go to." But also on top of that, it wasn't just a niche school where that was the only main area  there were other great programs within the school. So, if I decided to change my mind, it was a good place to have different options.

[00:06:53]Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:06:53] I can jump in too.  So the way I decided where to go to law school was I [00:07:00] I'm actually from Connecticut, but I'd been living in New York for, I think about three years or two years when I decided to just start the process. And I was comfortable where I was in New York and working. So I knew I wanted to stay in the area and also stay close to my family in Connecticut.

[00:07:16] So, I really just focused on New York schools, applied to a few other schools and, , one in Connecticut and also in Massachusetts  but I knew for sure that I wanted to stay in New York. [00:07:30] Of the schools in New York that I applied to, I really looked at their programs and I know Cardozo just really stood out to me as far as the community.

[00:07:37] And I knew that they had a really strong ADR program, alternative dispute resolution program. And I knew from the beginning that I wanted to be on the negotiation team at Cardozo. I don't know, something just stood out to me as far as the community. And I liked that it was small, because I went to a really large undergrad  institution.

[00:07:53] So I just wanted to make sure I had all of the attention that I needed for the intense process of law school. [00:08:00] 

[00:08:00]Victoria Lowe: [00:08:00] I'll jump in here,  to piggyback on what Jasmine said. I think for me, one of the biggest things was access. And just access to resources and to people and the network, as well as professors.  I have...for undergrad, I actually went to a small school and I liked that setting and I knew it worked for me.

[00:08:22] So it was important for me to find a law school that also had a similar setting. Where I felt like I can get a lot of [00:08:30] attention as well and really connect with not just colleagues, but also professors and practitioners who are in the industries that I'm interested in.

[00:08:40]   Khensani Mathebu: [00:08:41] It's similar to Jasmine, because I was based in New York City. Particularly being far from home, I knew that I didn't want it to leave the community that I had built and start again somewhere else. And so I pretty much focused on schools in New York City. And the things that stood out to [00:09:00] me about Cardozo specifically.

[00:09:02]I just thought that, you know, we read up on these schools and in terms of it having an Innocence Project and ADR and  intellectual property, it just seemed like a school that appreciated the arts, which I know is bizarre, but because my background is in dance and I just liked the idea of transitioning over to law school that was at least valued to and so in terms of like finding the great [00:09:30] fit, that just stood out as Oh and then when I went to one of the open days, it seemed, it had a sense of community, whichI don't know if that is pretty special having a sense of community, no matter how strong it is is I think quite remarkable. And so that, that's what helped me make the choice.

[00:09:51]  

[00:09:52] Charity: [00:09:52] In terms of going to law school and starting, what were some of your preconceived [00:10:00] notions going into law school? Maybe stereotypes that you had or things that you might've been, frankly speaking, nervous about or anxious about going into law school.

[00:10:11]  Ayana McPherson: [00:10:12] I think that  a lot of what people hear is that law school is hard. And I know, there's varying levels of that because I think that students who have maybe parents who went to law school, they're getting maybe a firsthand experience and students who are not in that same [00:10:30] situation maybe getting more of the scary side, like it's, super hard and if you don't make a certain GPA that first year, they kick you out. And like all of these really harsh things. So, I think that going into law school, it didn't seem as glamorous to me. It seemed like it was going to be a really grueling three years.

[00:10:50] Charity: [00:10:51] They really whip in that, that horror story there with law school. 

[00:10:57]Mieola Easter: [00:10:57] Yeah. To piggyback off of what Ayana [00:11:00] said ,as a first-generation law student, I didn't really have that much knowledge about the law school process. So, really before I I got into law school. I really did a lot of research on what it was like, I knew it was going to be hard and also my like background of knowing about law school is mostly from movies, like Legally Blonde or Paper Chase, where they were just stressed out the entire time. So I knew it was going to be hard. I watched a lot of YouTube videos of people going through law [00:11:30] school. So I kind of had some background knowledge that way, but I think one of the main things that a preconceived notion that I had was that it was just going to be an extremely cutthroat environment.  From what you see on the movies and also some of my friends that I talked to about law school, they were like, people aren't friendly, they're very cutthroat, everyone's competing against each other.

[00:11:53] And I know it really depends. On the culture of the school. And what I love about Cardozo from what I've [00:12:00] experienced is that people aren't like that here. People are always willing to help out people and are always friendly.  So I haven't really experienced that side of law school yet. I'm hoping not to, but,  that was one thing that it just didn't, it didn't match up with what I was expecting.

[00:12:17] 

[00:12:18] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:12:18] I want to piggyback on that as well. I definitely had the preconceived notion that it was going to be really cutthroat and there were going to be a lot of difficult personalities to deal with, which there [00:12:30] definitely are a lot of interesting people in law school. But I realized once I was in, it's pretty much engulfed in my studies that I didn't have so much time to be worried about the different personalities I was dealing with.

[00:12:44] As much as I thought it was going to be, I was going to have to deal with it. But overall, definitely, the cutthroat newness was something I was thinking of and just how hard it was it was probably going to be 

[00:12:56]Victoria Lowe: [00:12:57] So Charity, we can get real transparent on here, [00:13:00] right? 

[00:13:00]Charity: [00:13:00] Yes, definitely. Authenticity is key! 

[00:13:03] Victoria Lowe: [00:13:03] Yes! I think one of the things I thought was I was going to meet the most brilliant people I've ever met before and the questions of whether or not I was going to be able to keep up with that. I think that was a preconceived notion. And I think especially being, as Mieola mentioned, like a first generation law student professional student. 

[00:13:23] You have these ideas and I think from many of us, especially within the Black and Brown communities, we are [00:13:30] inundated with the horror stories more than anything else. And, I think that was something that kind of held me back for a while  and stopped me from applying.  Something that I chewed on for a long time was do I really want to put myself in this particular environment? I'm already successful in this other area.

[00:13:51] Do I want to embarrass myself, right, was, was the thought process. And just taking that leap of faith and just believing, in [00:14:00] oneself was so important and because you get into this environment and you realize you aren't encountering the most brilliant people ever, right. It is just like anything else. You have these very, you know, great people, and not so much if I'm just being honest . So for anyone, I think who's questioning that and wondering whether or not they're going to be able to compete, especially because for many of us, we're the first ones doing it.  I think it's something [00:14:30] to be said about just believing in yourself and taking the leap of faith, because you start to find the higher you get up into these upper echelon kinds of environments right? Like people are people no matter where you go and no matter where you are.

[00:14:45]Charity: [00:14:45] That's so true. Very well said.

[00:14:49]  So off of that question , what advice do you have for those who are contemplating applying to law school or  contemplating law school itself? [00:15:00]

[00:15:00]  Ayana McPherson: [00:15:00] Well, I think, yeah, that was something I was thinking about and it really does connect to the question that you just asked, because like Victoria said, you know, you really wonder if you can do it, if you want to put yourself in an environment like this. So the first thing I would say to someone contemplating law school is that you're going to make it, you know, like take failing off the table, just take it off the table because at a certain point you realize that. 1L  year is hard. And then [00:15:30] after that, you're like this is still challenging. And then after that, you're like, Oh, it wasn't that serious. You know? So I think, , It's all the things that we put in our head before we start that I actually can be debilitating and that actually can,  really prevent the success that we truly know we can achieve.

[00:15:50] And I would also say that, Mieola mentioned, it being really cutthroat and that is something that it is. I think for Jasmine and myself [00:16:00] and even Victoria and Khensani, we started law school in school. And Mieola is having a completely different experience because she's not,  like all day, every day in the building with people, you know, once the finals come around, the tensions get high and people are really sure it can get snappy.

[00:16:16] I mean, really the roller coaster begins. But, I think I would also tell someone that you have to talk to people. You have to find your tribe, because we're getting graded against each other. So you really do need to know what's in someone else's [00:16:30] mind. So you're not way off, you know, when you're, when you're writing your exam answers, but that's the point of the Socratic method for us to be in there and talking  And then lastly, I would say,  just breathe and have faith.  And trust yourself that you'll figure it out as you go. It is always the practice of law. It is not something that you're going to get immediately and you just know it and you'll be an expert. The law is always changing. People's opinion of the law is always changing. And if you allow yourself to continue to grow and [00:17:00] evolve, that it can be a much better process.

[00:17:02] Charity: [00:17:02] Yeah, that's so important what you just said about leaning on your tribe and finding community and law school too, that's extremely essential.

[00:17:12]Khensani Mathebu: [00:17:12]  Don't have to have it all figured out! I think particularly for, for all of us who are first-generation law students, you don't really know what practicing or even studying the law is until you are in law school. And so all of it is,  everything is just so [00:17:30] new. Right? And so, even though it's a very stressful environment, very demanding environment, having confidence that you're there because you've earned it and you are capable of doing the work. And then also giving yourself grace, I think is quite a challenge, but also really necessary just because, assuming that law school attracts a lot of A-type personalities. And so you are more self critical of yourself than you [00:18:00] are self encouraging. And that's very tough because law school doesn't give you praise. You do a whole semester. And then for a lot of the doctrinal classes, your grade just depends on the final. And then you work your butt off. You write the final and you hope that is a good day, but you don't necessarily get feedback during the process.

[00:18:26] And I think like, even though my background is [00:18:30] so unrelated to law in terms of dance the common thread is like Victoria also has a dance background, but you get corrections all of the time. And even though that is also a competitive and critical environment, the corrections are encouraging because if you're getting them, you have potential that you're moving in the right direction.

[00:18:49] And so in law school, it can I think to what Ayana said, it's important to reach out, to find people who have taken the class with the same teacher, so you can figure out what they want. [00:19:00] Because unless you seek out the feedback, you're not going to get it. I think that can be quite difficult in terms of assessing how you're doing in relation to everyone else.

[00:19:11] Yeah, so I would recommend, I would counsel that whoever is going to go into law school obviously put your best foot forward work very hard, but also don't put too much pressure on yourself in terms of figuring it all out now, you figure out what you want to do in your [00:19:30] 1L year, or your 2L year  and also be kind to yourself.

[00:19:34]   Mieola Easter: [00:19:35] When I graduated from undergrad, I took about two to three years to really figure out if law school was something that I wanted to do. I always had an interest in going to law school, but I think as a first generation law student, I didn't really have a good concept of what exactly all went into law school and what exactly the practice of being a lawyer was.

[00:19:58]Before I made that [00:20:00] big monetary investment and also time investment. I really did a lot of research to see if being a lawyer was something I wanted to do.   One thing I would recommend for people who are contemplating that would be to, if you have a LinkedIn go and find someone in a practice area that you're interested in, reach out to them and have a conversation with them about what exactly it looks like to be a lawyer in that area.

[00:20:25] That's something that I did.  I reached out to an entertainment lawyer and we had a [00:20:30] conversation for about an hour or two. And that really gave me a better idea of what exactly it meant to be a lawyer in that area. Also again, like watching YouTube videos of people going through law school it really helped me make the decision to go.

[00:20:46] I mean, I had the interest, but I really wanted to know exactly what I was getting into before I did it. So I think that really helped me get like the background knowledge I needed as someone who is a first-generation [00:21:00] law student.

[00:21:00] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:21:01] I completely agree with most of what was said. Including  taking your time to just  make sure law school is something that you want to do any, even if you get there and you decide, okay, this is not for me. That's fine. It's not a failure. I've seen people do that.  Also too. I think Mieola made a good point about reaching out to people on LinkedIn.

[00:21:24]  Another thing I found useful was  if you do take time off beforehand, [00:21:30] if you do have people in your current workplace who were lawyers or know someone, or even just reaching out to your alumni community from your undergraduate institution. That's another thing I did.  Most schools have some sorts of directories where you can see where their alumni are now. And most of the time people are really happy to talk about themselves, especially lawyers says one thing I noticed. And also too, I think that law school, it could seem really scary, especially for someone who's [00:22:00] the first one in their family, which was my case as well.

[00:22:03] But I really do think the bark of law school is bigger than the bite. There's so much. There's so much, we think it is that it really isn't and it just goes to what everyone was saying about figuring it out as you go along. Yes. Some people start in different places because maybe their parents were lawyers. But I think in the end, everyone is really just figuring it out as you go along and just own the [00:22:30] accomplishment of getting into law school, once you're there, there's no reason for you to think, wow, I can't compete with these people. You went through the same process as they did. You're there for a reason.

[00:22:41] There's no reason to think that you don't deserve to be in the classroom with the next person whose parents, or may come from a legacy of lawyers in their family. So I think that's one thing to really keep in mind in law school.

[00:22:54] Charity: [00:22:55] Wow. So many gyms here. I love these comments and [00:23:00] advice.

[00:23:00]Khensani Mathebu: [00:23:00] Charity, Can I, sorry, can I just add one thing? 

[00:23:04]Charity: [00:23:04] Yeah, sure. Go ahead. 

[00:23:05] Khensani Mathebu: [00:23:05] Just in terms of what Mieola said with regards to reaching out.  I think that that's, that's like golden advice that you should apply across the board because there are so many opportunities.

[00:23:18] While you're in law school and not everything is necessarily explained until you have to apply. So I just remember like before clinics reaching out [00:23:30] to everyone, to someone in each clinic that I was interested in and that really gave me that informed whether I wanted to apply and what I wanted to be on the clinic.

[00:23:42] And it informed what I said in the interview because I knew more. And also like just ADR, I reached out to Jasmine, Moot Court I reached out to Ayana. Like just reach out all of the time. I, it really feels like in law school, you can't, you have to like, you have to be a go-getter and you have [00:24:00] to go and get all of the advice and insight that you can so that you can make the best decisions for yourself.

[00:24:06]Charity: [00:24:06] Yeah. That's really important because law school honestly, is all about relationships. And who you meet and what they know and how they can help you.  So many important things in terms of creating a network. But I wanted to ask Victoria one of the interesting  and honestly powerful parts of your journey in law school is that you're a [00:24:30] mother and a student.

[00:24:31]How do you juggle school and family life? And what advice do you have for mothers who are looking at going back to graduate school, professional school? Just continuing their careers. 

[00:24:43]Victoria Lowe: [00:24:43] Yeah, I think that's such a great question. And I'll take the second part first. What advice I would give, , the first thing I always say is,  say yes to yourself!

[00:24:52] And that's across the board, but especially if you are a parent and then even more specifically, if you are a mother, I think the [00:25:00] narrative that we often hear is before I had you, I was doing this and that and this and that. And you're like, wow that's so cool. What happened? And it often feels which it is, but it often feels like Parenthood is synonymous with consistent self-sacrifice and.

[00:25:21] Something that I keep in mind is that one day my son will be. Big right. He won't be a baby anymore. He won't [00:25:30] need me. I mean, he's only two, but he's already showing me how independent he is. And he'd be doing his own thing. He let your mind get your own life. And I think that's something that I always keep in the back of my mind that he's going to have his own life. And it's important for me that he sees what it looks like to chase your dreams, right? Whatever your w whatever that passion and those dreams may be. I think it's amazing, right?

[00:25:58] I mean, the [00:26:00] sacrifices that many mothers have made have gotten us to where we are. So there's nothing there's I'm so grateful for that. But with that said, part of their sacrifice was for me to continue the torch, right, continue carrying the torch. And I think when you're thinking about whether or not you want to if grad school is a thing for you, I think you have to think what is going to make me the best person [00:26:30] because when I'm filling my cup, I'm able to give to others. 

[00:26:35] If I'm trying to be a mother and do this and do all these things and at the end of the day, at the end of the day, I make a little list of everything that I did during that day and nothing on that list was for me eventually your cup is going to run dry. Right? So I feel like the same way that we as mothers, we water, everyone else's dreams and passions. We have to do that for ourselves as well. [00:27:00] And then in terms of how I balance it, I think I say no a lot, something I had to learn though cause I'm still used to saying yes all the time. So, I said yes to myself. But then with that being said, that means I'm not going to have space for all, for everything and that's okay. 

[00:27:20] I had a manager once told me, you can have it all, but you can't have it all right now. And at first it seemed a little discouraged and what I'm gonna do everything, you know what I mean?

[00:27:28] And I think what she was really [00:27:30] saying is you have to choose what you want to bloom right now. And I. When I made the decision to say yes to myself and go to law school, I knew that I was going to have to say no to other things. And I became very intentional about what I was going to say yes to, and, you know, time management  having support.

[00:27:55] So going back a little bit to advice when you're contemplating law school, [00:28:00] you do need a lot of support, right? So whether that's family, friends, and for many, I've met many women who went through law school with children who might have been in a different state, so they didn't have family.

[00:28:11] So then that's when you start to ask the questions or the institutions that you're looking at. What type of resources do you have? What kind of accommodations do you have? How have you dealt with having a parent as a law student before? Or will I be the first one right? Because you do need community around you.

[00:28:30] [00:28:29] But I think once you answer those questions, then I think you just go for it. You don't look back. It's a daily practice saying, yes. Great. You don't just say yes. And then everything falls into place. I think each and every day you say, you know what, I'm choosing myself today. I'm saying yesterday, and I'm going to roll with the punches and I'm going to get through and I'm going to be successful.

[00:28:55] Affirmations are so important, right. Those [00:29:00] are all the things that I think keep me going and the advice that I would give.

[00:29:06]Charity: [00:29:06] That was very beautiful! I wholeheartedly agree with what you said, and it's important to acknowledge that students don't come and cookie cutter molds, like everybody has a unique journey and unique circumstances. So, I appreciate you highlighting that.  

[00:29:23] So continuing on to that moment where you're in law school. You [00:29:30] have the acceptance letter and you're at the week of orientation, what would you tell you're just about to start law school before any classes, orientation events, or even before walking through that door 1L-self, like one piece of advice you would give.

[00:29:47]That person.

[00:29:49] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:29:50] I can jump in. Thinking back to that time, I feel like I should have been a little bit [00:30:00] more organized. I think along the way I. Started to do more research on little hacks, life hacks to save time like meal planning, writing down everything I had to do not thinking like, Oh, I can remember it.

[00:30:18] No start using those digital calendars, have a planner ready? Just little things like that, that could save you extra time. Or even if you go to school in a [00:30:30] city  making sure you have a launch ready. So you're not wasting time going out to buy lunch. Because I can take out a big chunk of the time that you could use for studying.

[00:30:40] You could be in the library at that time. So I think that's one thing I would tell myself and just to go along with what we talked about for the last question . Just make sure you're talking to people and talking to your professors and asking questions. Even if you have even the slightest hesitation about something, or something's a little bit [00:31:00] confusing, just make sure you're asking the questions and seeking out your professors and talking to your colleagues because chances are, if you have a question, even if you think it might be dumb, someone else also has a question.  So that's, I think, pretty much that same advice I would have given myself my first on my first day of  1L.

[00:31:19] Charity: [00:31:20] Okay. Continuing on to law school law school is a very unique experience that hinges on a lot of [00:31:30] in-person relationships. But now we're in this Bowman where Zoom School of Law is the reality. So how would you describe your experience of doing law school online and. How do you maintain boundaries with life and law school? Especially in this moment, but even generally in law school.

[00:31:53] Victoria Lowe: [00:31:54] Never in a million years, would I have thought that I would be hopping on a computer [00:32:00] signing in to see my professors and colleagues, and then in the class I look around I'm still at home. And it's where you work, where you do live, where you sleep. So that has definitely been challenging because it's not your ideal, right?

[00:32:18] When you think of going to law school, that's not what you think of doing. And I think the biggest thing for me has been giving myself the necessary breaks. And I think Khensani mentioned it earlier, right? Grace. so [00:32:30] part of that, The manifestations of grace for me have been taking that break, making sure I'm eating, going for that walk.

[00:32:38] As Jasmine mentioned, staying organized part of that calendar is you time and like this is when I need to study, this is when I need, you know, this is when I have classes. This is when I need to sit down and do nothing. This always feels like there's something to do and also because you're not in school, right. So you're not around the [00:33:00] hustle as much. You have to create it for yourself. Making sure you're still meeting, you know, I need to meet with a professor or I need to meet with another student. Creating groups like study groups and things like that, right?

[00:33:15] Like trying to recreate the law school experience as much as possible has been really helpful because it is very different. It is very different. And I think it is challenging to stay motivated as well.

[00:33:27] Khensani Mathebu: [00:33:28] I [00:33:30] don't want to be disingenuous. It's very hard to strike a balance in law school. And I, for one did not strike a balance in my first year. I think  just in terms of transparency, it is, it's an unbelievable amount of work. And so. Oh, this is one key piece of advice. I would recommend that no one works during their first year because I worked during my first semester.

[00:33:57] And that just meant that I was on very [00:34:00] little sleep and just on a hundred all of the time. and I think as you figure out, you know, what your schedule is and how much time you need to do each thing, because that's very personal, like how much time each of us takes to do a reading, to do an assignment.

[00:34:16] I do know it is critical for you to figure out what makes you happy and for you to be uncompromising with those things. Because in reality, if you want to pursue a career at [00:34:30] a firm for example, Chances are that it's not going to change, right? Like you will be working long hours. For many years possibly.

[00:34:39] And so if that's  if that's the career you want, then law school is like great practice because you have to figure out now even when I'm overwhelmed or even when I'm under a lot of stress, what are the things I have to do to make sure that I , am whole and sane [00:35:00] and healthy and happy. Right because no one else does that for you.

[00:35:03]So I think it's also a growing process, but, and it isn't easy, but it is probably as important as doing well in school, figuring out what lifestyle works for you.

[00:35:16]  Ayana McPherson: [00:35:17] Yeah. And to kind of piggy back off of what Khensani said. I think there's a quote that says the only way out is through. And I feel like this is a moment that we're all sitting in right now, everybody's in it. So [00:35:30] whether we found a little bit of a balance. There are going to be those days when we're like, Oh my God, I've literally even sitting in front of a screen since I opened my eyes.

[00:35:38] And now it's time to go to bed so some days they will be balanced and some days there will be no balance. And just figuring out what that looks like for you. Like you have to go through it. So I don't know if I would even say that this is , you know, Zoom university and all this stuff is something that like, I hope continues.

[00:35:57] No, for sure. I really do want to get back to seeing [00:36:00] people, but I think that even in that there is a balance. I know a lot of jobs are talking about a three-two-two now, you know, allowing people to come in for three days and two days off and two days a weekend. I mean, I think it's all gonna take a shift, not only for us as law students, but just in the culture and in the field at large.

[00:36:18] Charity: [00:36:19] Yeah, this landscape has changed a lot and mindset as well.

[00:36:23] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:36:24] Yeah. I completely agree with what everyone said and I, I would also add that for me. [00:36:30] It's been really important to just log off, because if we're on Zoom for class all day, or maybe we're even working in a remote job, It's hard to spend more time. I look on my phone, even if it's like Instagram or like any other social media.

[00:36:47] I really learned this year to cut myself off from that when I just felt like I needed to minimize all of the chatter, because it's  as soon as you open certain apps, it's just like, you're being bombarded with more [00:37:00] information that could make it. A bit more difficult just to function and focus on class and even being in on Zoom. It's very easy to get distracted. I know I'm someone I'm really bad about keeping tabs open. I have  a million tabs open all the time, so I've just had to really train myself to just focus on what's going on in class and just be disciplined in that way. And it's hard, it's not easy but even just small things, like when I wake up.

[00:37:27] I try not to look at my phone right away [00:37:30] or little things like that. Or if I just, if I want to go for a run, like maybe one day, I may just leave my phone. So it was just like small things like  that have just been really refreshing for me and just have helped me to focus more on what I need to do for school.

[00:37:45] And, Mieola, you'r e our 1L Charity: [00:37:48] rep in the group. How would you describe starting your law school experience in a completely digital landscape?   

[00:37:57]Mieola Easter: [00:37:57] Honestly, it was really nerve wrecking.  Starting [00:38:00] law school is usually exciting, but the summer before there was just so much uncertainty as to whether we were going to be in person or whether we were going to be hybrid or just all online.

[00:38:10] And for me, I'm coming from Houston. So the whole summer I was going back and forth. Am I gonna move? Am I going to stay here? it was just a lot to take in. And then on top of that, you have the learning curve of law school on top of it all being online. And for me, I ended up staying in Houston and being [00:38:30] all remote, really scared me at first because I was afraid of just being in the house all the time and having burnout from that and not being productive because I'm the type of person where I need to commute or need to get out of the house in order to stay focused and refreshed. And I was also worried because I've always shied away from online classes.

[00:38:52] I've had one or two before, and I just felt a disconnect with learning through online courses. And then. Like you all [00:39:00] mentioned making connections as a 1L it's so important to make connections, not only with people in your class, but also upperclassmen. So it's been a lot more difficult to do that in an online remote space.

[00:39:13]But some things that I did that personally helped me through this semester were like, everyone said, make sure you take some time to yourself.   I made sure at least a few days a week, I took at least an hour to go running or working out, outside or on the weekends, I would go to coffee [00:39:30] shops and study there and do some of my work outside of the house, because just being inside all the time can really make you feel isolated and make you feel detached from school. So those are some things that really helped me, I guess, not get burned out during the semester 

[00:39:46] In terms of making connections with other students, really just joining organizations helps and  you just have to make an additional effort to reach out to people, especially with it being in an online space. [00:40:00] So sending out emails to professors, creating times to meet just really staying focused. The way that we communicated through the semester was we had a Groupme and so staying active on a group helped me develop some friends and create a study group.

[00:40:16]But you really have to make that extra effort to stay engaged. it doesn't come as natural as it would, naturally in person. but this is the new norm for me. A lot of people have asked me, like upperclassmen have asked me, like, how is it [00:40:30] being. All in line, to be honest, I really don't have anything to compare it to. So this is the new norm for me personally.

[00:40:37] Charity: [00:40:38] So what activities are you all involved in and what experiences have been pivotal in your law school experience thus far?

[00:40:47] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:40:48] I can jump in At Cardozo, I am on the ADR Competition Honor Society. And, I think that's probably been the most pivotal [00:41:00]experience for me in law school., one, because I knew going into law school that it was something I want it to be a part of. I knew it would improve my speaking and communication skills.

[00:41:11] And it really has an even, just being a part of a group in school that we all have common interests. And we did talk a little bit about finding your tribe and I feel like a lot of the people or a good amount of people on the ADR team, even before I was accepted onto the team, they were my friends.

[00:41:29]So I think I [00:41:30] really found my tribe on that team.also I think just by trusting my gut and knowing that was something I wanted to do and pursuing it, it's really been a confidence booster for me just having done things like like 1L year the upperclassmen on the team hosted and negotiation competition.

[00:41:48] And as a 1L, I was able to participate in that and I did pretty well, and it was a huge confidence booster for me because all year you know, we talked about how there's not much feedback while you work and you [00:42:00] may or may not be surprised about the grade you get. So I think just by doing well in something where I trust in my gut, that I was really interested in it really boosted my confidence.

[00:42:10]And then by 2L like the beginning of 2, or the end of the first semester of 2L, I started to think, wow, I think I can do this. I, this is doable. yeah, it's been an amazing experience.

[00:42:22] Ayana McPherson: [00:42:23] I feel like I am the definition of do too much because 1L year I was like really discouraged, [00:42:30] but I applied to anything that looked like it possibly could have anything to do with entertainment law. and so as a result, I am currently on Moot Court Honor Society. I'm a member of the indie film clinic and working with ,Minority Law Student Alliance.

[00:42:47]A bunch of other things that like, just were outgrowths of that type of work. I will say that from moot court specifically and I've had this conversation with Victoria and with Khensani, you know, [00:43:00] it really changed the trajectory of my law school career, because you cannot argue something that you don't know inside out.

[00:43:07] You can't actually speak about it if you really don't understand how this case changed the law or how that case may interact with this set of facts and, all those really nuanced things that come out of having to answer a question on the spot. So for me, it just helped me to have a way deeper understanding of how to make arguments and a deeper [00:43:30] understanding of, you know, when it's time to concede to, and it's time to say, yeah, well that doesn't that doesn't help me on this side. So  I think it definitely changed how I approach law school and it helped me to write. And I also gained a mentor out of it, which is the person who's over moot court altogether.

[00:43:49] But it also helped me to find the avenues where I could insert entertainment law in a different way than people would have thought about it. Because I think a lot of times Moot Court is [00:44:00] seen as like, you know, we're arguing Fourth Amendment issues or arguing, anything criminal law. or  civil rights law, the competitions that I have been a part of,I've been arguing, copyright and contracts.

[00:44:12] And I just think that's not initially the first thing people go to, especially at our school for entertainment and IP, but it is available. So I think that has been. A really great way for me to even expand my substantive knowledge. And as far as the Indie Film Clinic and [00:44:30] mostly we've been able to make really great partnerships with entertainment, law firms, which is something that really hasn't been done.

[00:44:35] And I think it's great because that's what our school prides itself on. So to be coming at it from a minority perspective, I think that really just opens up the gates for students like us to see people like We get a lot of opportunity to draft contracts and talk to clients and just feel like we work at a law firm. So I think it pushes you into what you potentially might be doing after graduating. So all of that has [00:45:00] been a great experience. I wouldn't trade it. And honestly, I think I've learned more from those organizations.

[00:45:05]then I have learned from certain classwork just because I'm actually doing the work. I'm not just reading from a textbook. I have to go figure it out and I have to present my case and somebody who's going to rip it to shreds in Moot Court. And I started from scratch, it's all of that actual work.

[00:45:20] So yeah, those are the organizations I've been a part of.

[00:45:23] Charity: [00:45:24] And Ayana, you had a very creative career path before entering law [00:45:30] school with the background in dance like Victoria and Khensani and then working at a talent agency. So how did these experiences inform your decision going to law school and then what activities you chose to do with this background?

[00:45:45] Ayana McPherson: [00:45:46] Yeah. So I went to the University of Michigan where I got my BFA in dance and I had always wanted to dance. I really saw myself going on to being on Broadway. I always said I wanted to be a zebra in the Lion King. Like it was [00:46:00] just a running joke in my family. That's what I would one day do.

[00:46:03] but the dancing changed. You know, commercial dance had become a big deal. Whereas when I started high school at LaGuardia and then going on to Michigan, there was more confidence. It was Ailey, ABT like all the concert dance was bigger when I went. So by the time I graduated and that was really no longer the case in terms of truly making money and actually the space too.

[00:46:27] Be a part because there are only limited amounts of  [00:46:30] opportunities in that space too. I had to think about what else I could do. And I had spent a summer at Broadway Dance Center, and I remember one of the agents from one agency, which I would later go on to work at saying that she negotiated contracts.

[00:46:45]And like bells went off in my head. I was like, what? I need to talk to her. So while all the dancers were trying to talk to choreographers, I was in the corner talking to her and trying to figure out what she did, what her career path was and how I could get there. So [00:47:00] I applied the first year. I didn't get it.

[00:47:02]I didn't get the internship at that agency. And then I applied the second year and I got that internship and then I worked there and realized how much help I could provide to other dancers, especially being a dancer and coming into it. It just was such a fulfilling experience. And I really did have the background knowledge to employ my friends. It was, it really was just like, what else are you going to do? I, Anna, this is like [00:47:30] a cross between, maybe going to law school and being a dancer. It was really the perfect fit for me. But at the agency in New York, there was no more upward growth.

[00:47:40]So the next natural step then for me was, okay what else can I do that is, maybe be adjacent to this type of work and it was being a lawyer. So that is why I ended up at Cardozo. AndI will say that the talent agency experience completely informed what I'm doing now, because well [00:48:00] at firms, I think it's really important to know compliance, to be able to bring clients in. And I have been doing that for two years prior to coming to law school, but also it was very client facing most of the clients that we had at the talent agency I knew from being in the industry. So that's also how I understood that entertainment is not just the lawyers over here, the dancers over here, the agents over here, it's an industry. You have to know everybody because. Even if even in a contract, you have to talk to talent, you [00:48:30] have to talk to their attorneys. You have to talk to so many people managers that go into this entire process. So just having that background and that understanding that this is a full blown industry.

[00:48:41] Everyone matters. You need to know the quote, unquote, least, least important, which I don't really subscribe to least important person, like just how people would try to rank what people go into with a deal. you need to know the least important to the most important person because they all matter.

[00:48:57] And they all come back around the bend need. That industry [00:49:00] is super small,

[00:49:01] Charity: [00:49:01] yeah, that's great. anyone else want to talk about their pivotal moment in law school?

[00:49:08] Khensani Mathebu: [00:49:09] I can, but , before I do just, Ayana, all of that, it's so interesting. I think, especially because  this is a side note. I am wondering how the dance industry be it concert or commercial dance will be impacted by the pandemic, and what the resurgence of that will look like.  As it relates to, what stood out for me.

[00:49:28]So I'm on the BLSA [00:49:30] executive board., I'm on Moot Court honor society and I'm also in the human rights clinic and the human rights clinic, I think, was the most pivotal experience that I had this semester. and I just, I had the honor of writing a report that was last week was submitted to the special repertoire, at the United nations.

[00:49:49]and I got to do, fact finding, so if it were not for the pandemic, we would have gone to India., because we were working our clients, being mindful of privacy, but [00:50:00] our clients, our organization and the topic was basically about how they are a vulnerable group ,, to the crime of rape.

[00:50:08] And it was truly life-changing. And before I came to law school, my undergrad was at Fordham and . And they have a joint program. And so I double majored in dance and political science, but my political science degree was focused on human rights. And, I don't know why it's funny because as I said earlier, you may not know exactly what you want to do when you come into law school.

[00:50:30] [00:50:30] But I think you have moments where everything kind of clicks.. So for me, it was interviewing for the human rights clinic and realizing that, Oh my political science degree was centered around human rights and I am very passionate., and then getting to work on this really meaningful project has made me.

[00:50:48]realize that I can pursue him and rights and all, and that I would probably be incredibly, fulfilled doing so. But then on the other end, I took a business immigration law cus [00:51:00] and that also had a few moments of kind of things clicking into place because being an immigrant in New York and having secured different kinds of visas,, two student visas and an extraordinary ability visa.

[00:51:14] I know what it feels like to have secured an opportunity as an immigrant and know that if you don't get the right visa, you're not going to be able to pursue it. And so I really loved that class. And so I'm also passionate and very interested in helping [00:51:30] immigrants to secure the visas that they need in order to pursue the opportunities that they have earned.

[00:51:35]And so, yeah, both I truly out of this is the fall semester of my second year.  Those two really clear trajectories have calming to clay. and. wherever I land up, I'm just really excited about it. And if you had asked me in my first year exactly what I wanted to do, I wouldn't have had as much clarity as I do now to boil it down to these two focuses.

[00:51:59] [00:52:00]Victoria Lowe: [00:52:00] For me, I am , I'm involved in a lot of different things., but I'm the president of BLSA, which is the Black law Students association. I'm also on the board of the minority law students Alliance as well as a student leader for something at Cardoza called PLAW Week, which  is Public Law Advocacy Week.

[00:52:18]And I think through those experiences, the most pivotal thing for me has been, honestly, the people I have met, , and connecting and learning. It was mentioned earlier. Right? You don't really, and I think law school [00:52:30] in general, right. You don't really know what it means to practice law and what that looks like.

[00:52:34]But what I have learned is how to connect with people and how, to. Advocate for myself as well as others.and I think through just various classes and various experiences, I'm also, I'm a member of the ADR, Competition Honor Society. And, this past fall I did the ABA. the American Bar Association Arbitration Competition. 

[00:52:57] And it just the people that I [00:53:00] met and the experience with that just gave me so much confidence. as I continue to,, really figure out what I want to do. I know that I want to practice in the entertainment industry also have interest in real estate. and I think once again, just networking and talking to people and being vulnerable  has been pivotal for me and has been life changing for me because I've met and had a chance and opportunity to connect with so many people that has been, and I think the best thing for me just building community and building a [00:53:30] network.

[00:53:31]So when I do graduate , which will happen, amen! I'll have this wonderful network to turn to . IN the spring, I'll be doing the visual and performing arts law clinic, which I'm super excited about., it's the reason why I came to law school and I'll be at VLA volunteer lawyers for the arts.

[00:53:50] I'll definitely check back in with you Charity in a couple of months and let you know. 

[00:53:54] Charity: [00:53:54] Yeah, that was for me too. That was one of my favorite [00:54:00] externship experiences. So I wish you good luck. 

[00:54:03] Mieola Easter: [00:54:04] Yeah for me.  I'm currently a 1L rep for BLSA., I'm one of the Entertainment Law Society, and I'm also in the Women in Law Initiative.

[00:54:12] And really for me this semester, those organizations have been so helpful for me to just get a sense of community like what Victoria was saying. Especially this being my first semester in law school and we're online and it's so hard to connect with people outside of class. I've been able [00:54:30] to not only meet a lot of upperclassmen through these organizations, but get a better idea of some of the opportunities that are here.

[00:54:38]At the school, which is sometimes a little bit of a disconnect when you're doing everything online and you haven't met anyone in person. So I think for students, you know, say if we're still online next fall and there's incoming one else. I would just recommend them to. You know, don't join every organization because you have a lot of work ,but do join some [00:55:00] organizations because that's really going to be the best way for you to connect with people, especially when you're all online.

[00:55:06] Charity: [00:55:08] Everyone's very busy out there. But to wrap up a little bit where do you see your career in the next decade? This can be like, the type of field of law you want to get into, or a vision board for how you see yourself working in the future or how you see yourself as a person in the future.

[00:55:29] Anything [00:55:30] like that?

[00:55:30] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [00:55:32] I can jump in. So, what do I see for myself? I have a lot of different interests and I've been lucky enough to explore most of them during my time in law school, whether it's through internships or other experiences. So I'm interested in securities law, privacy law , trade., and I also really love learning foreign languages.

[00:55:54] I'm hoping I could incorporate all my interests into a career and some practicing, some [00:56:00] sort of international transactions law, where I could use my Spanish language skills. Also. I know a little bit of Portuguese, so I think my dream is, being a lawyer who can maybe practice between the U.S. and Latin America.

[00:56:16] I'm really betting and hoping that the online format that we're moving to could work to my advantage in the future. I'm hoping to build more of an international legal [00:56:30] career where I can also just have many communities like this one all over the world.

[00:56:33] 10 years is a veryKhensani Mathebu: [00:56:35] long time. I, as I said, I'm really interested in either business immigration or human rights law. And so I'm interested in getting experienced in either of those practice areas during my 2L summer. and then going from there, but. if I do happen to go into human rights law, then hopefully there'll be an aspect of diplomacy in my future, which would be incredible.

[00:56:57] and then in the business immigration [00:57:00] space, if I worked for a firm for a couple of years, I would hope to start my own firm and really get to focus on not necessarily corporations, but on families you know , helping young professionals to come over be whether they are artists or athletes or , getting H1Bs, and then also figuring out, how to help their children can move it to study or what have you.

[00:57:22] What comes to mind is that, you know, God points you in their direction, but you don't get the full map. And so all of this is [00:57:30] fake, but definitely I'm excited about either future and how it comes out into place as I, as I pursue it each semester before I graduate and beyond.

[00:57:39]  Victoria Lowe: [00:57:41] I definitely agree. I think  10 years there's so much that can happen in 10 years, but I think something that I always ground myself in is  I want to be happy. I want to be happy in 10 years my goal is to have a career that is fulfilling and that allows me To be able to give back and allows [00:58:00] me to add value to my community. more specifically just black and Brown communities and making sure that we have the tools that we need because a lot of it is hidden., and that's,  that's probably the reason why you became a law school.

[00:58:13]The language it's it's English, but it's different. Right. So yeah, for me, 10 years happy and adding value to my people.

[00:58:21] Ayana McPherson: [00:58:23] I guess I would say in 10 years I would just. Still hope that the best is yet to come [00:58:30] from me. I noticed through working in all of these organizations at school and you know having a job before that I have a lot of different skill sets and it, and I don't necessarily want to confine myself to just the practice of law.

[00:58:44] I mean, I think a law degree can be used in so many amazing ways to help so many different companies and missions and people. I really do. hope that I can continue to inspire people. Whether that be through the things that I've done or [00:59:00] just connecting people that I've met along the journey, but more than anything, I really do hope that the story is still yet to be written and that there is something still really exciting about doing this work.

[00:59:11] Yeah Ayana you have an amazing Charity: [00:59:16] inspirational platform called the Gem Jar.  Can you tell the audience about that?

[00:59:21] .  Ayana McPherson: [00:59:21] Yeah, absolutely. Actually thank you for, even mentioning it. Today we are dropping our YouTube channel, so everybody go ahead and [00:59:30] subscribe.

[00:59:30]But the Gem Jar was actually created during my 1L year. I was in a really low place because I had all the ideas of failure and all that stuff in my head. And I just made it a point to seek inspiration, to seek being uplifted and motivated. And so I used to just screenshot a bunch of quotes and I started it anonymously. I just put it out there and just started posting stuff. But then  in 2020, I decided [01:00:00] that it was really important for people to know you know, that it's my voice too, because it was something that allowed me to free myself into my own purpose, which I think truly is inspiration.

[01:00:11] And not necessarily any job, but just the inspiring of people to whatever their purpose is. So that really was the birth of the Gem Jar, and it's growing into a lot of things that I didn't even expect when I started it. yeah, you can tap into the Gem Jar at underscore the Gem Jar [01:00:30] on Instagram and yeah, it's just a platform for people to continue to be inspired.

[01:00:34] Charity: [01:00:35] Yeah, that's lovely!  So each episode, I like to end with the question who is your Sistah in Law? This can be a fellow colleague, a mentor your best see from law school or any legal queen that you're inspired by.

[01:00:51] Khensani Mathebula: [01:00:53] This is easy for me because everyone is on the call. But [01:01:00] honestly,  being a part of BLSA we have a mentorship program and I signed up for it in my 1L year. And I was partnered. I was matched with Jasmine. And I honestly, I, I don't know if I've told you this, but. It was the first time that someone just sat down with me, got me coffee and she spent over an hour with me of just asking, like, how are you, how are things going? Are you okay? How can I help. And Charity, I just, I want to commend you for [01:01:30] starting this channel, just because it's true we need support particularly Black women in law school. It can be an isolating experience and not the most encouraging one.

[01:01:39] And just having a Sistah in Law see you and acknowledge the hard work and to be encouraging is it's a game changer. It really is. And then Ayana  I reached out to her, as I mentioned to find out about Moot Court and she was really the reason why I wanted [01:02:00] to be on it. but again, she just spoke with so much passion so like it was already quarantine and so it was a phone conversation, but I could feel her warmth through the phone. and then I've had the honor of being on the BLSA executive board under the direction of Victoria. And this woman is such an incredible leader just in terms of like being very clear on her mission, but also reaching out to each of us and finding out what our strengths are and how she can support [01:02:30] us to help to serve the mission.

[01:02:32]Truly. I don't, I'm not like,, this is just so true and it's just happenstance that everyone is on the call. And then of course Mieola bringing you on board for MLSA. I'm so excited to get to know you. But Charity, it's so important that we look out for each other and that we. Let one another know that we're here for support that law school is not an easy thing and you shouldn't do it alone. You really, you should reach out,  based on your interest area, but you should also reach [01:03:00] out to your Sistahs to each of us who are in different ways, going through the same thing.

[01:03:05] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [01:03:07] I don't really know how to top that. That's so sweet Khensani and I'm on the same page as you. All of my Sistahs in Law are on this call. I remember being matched with you. Actually the way it happened was I was on the BLSA e-board and I remember, I think the mentorship program was going and I saw it in the inbox in the BLSA inbox that we had one more request and I was like, Oh, [01:03:30] I think I know this girl. Cause I remember talking to you at one of the Admitted Students' Day and just remembering how excited you were and you were asking such great questions. I was like, Oh ,, I'll be your mentor.   So I was just so happy to be able to share my experience and help anyone in any way. So it's just been great getting to know you and yeah, it's, I, we already have a strong friendship and I'm just super excited to see what you do in your career and just,, just continue to build this community.

[01:03:58]Same thing., I [01:04:00] remember meeting Ayana 1L year. Definitely want to get to know you more. There just has not been enough opportunities for that. So I'm looking forward to doing that in the future. Same with Victoria , love, love, love having you on the ADR Competition Honor Society. Even last year when you were the 1L rep for BLSA, I just remember being so inspired by, just your leadership skills and how amazing of a speaker you are.

[01:04:26] And just like being inspired in general, seeing that you are a mom like, [01:04:30] wow, she's amazing. She's superwoman. And also Charity, of course. I remember feeling so alone 1L year and our lockers just so happened to be next to each other. And you did your thing, you struck up small conversation with me here and there and our friendship grew.

[01:04:45] So I'm just so grateful to have met you and Yeah. I even remember you giving me a property supplement and I really needed that. So thank you. And Mieola, unfortunately, since everything has been online, we haven't been able to meet [01:05:00] in person, but I'm sure we will in the near future and I'm just so excited. And thank you Charity for building this community.

[01:05:07] Ayana McPherson: [01:05:09] I feel like you they're doing this whole thing and the tears really could just start flowing because I think your question was great, but I don't think we have one Sistah in Law. Like I think, what has come out of being at Cardozo for all of us, is that we're all connected.

[01:05:25] And even, us not getting a chance to meet Mieola in the same way it's like yeah that's [01:05:30] still my sistah too. I've seen her at all the meetings. I see the messages going off and it's her. And in my mind, it's like, I don't even know her, but it's still that connectivity that we feel to the entire group that connects us to each one of us individually.

[01:05:42]And I've had some really great moments with all of you. And I will honestly say a Sistah in Law for me is someone who has been able to step outside of just the walls of Cardozo. And really take a look into, like Khensani said someone who sees you and I think [01:06:00] everyone here, we've been interested in the other things that we're all doing.

[01:06:03] Victoria being a mom, Khensani being a dancer and her whole process and just the amount of amazing things that everyone has been able to do. So I would say too, that everyone on this call is my Sistah in Law. And then there are people who aren't even on this call that, you know, have been. Able to inspire me on my journey and, vice versa.

[01:06:22] So I just think that our community at large is just like a sisterhood altogether.  

[01:06:28]Victoria Lowe: [01:06:29] Yeah. I [01:06:30] completely agree. as someone who personally I'm the baby of the bunch of my siblings and I only, I don't have any sisters. I have a brother. Being able to connect with so many just awesome women has been amazing for me.

[01:06:45], So at Cardozo I started in the May program, so we didn't really have, you know, anyone around, it was just us 1L's and then the 3Ls,, the ones who graduated wanted nothing to do with us because they were studying for the bar. And , um, one of the first people that [01:07:00] I really sat down and had just a heart-to-heart with was Ayana and it just clicked for me. And I was like, yep. I'm meant to be here. And I've had those types of experiences with everyone on this call. And including my girl, Grayson as she's not on the call, but,, that's one of my law school besties for sure.

[01:07:16]Just being able to connect and it's something that I've always wanted. I feel  even, through undergrad and,, career-wise, just wanting to be able to connect with like-minded women,, who we have, our challenges, we have our faces [01:07:30] of , triumph and growth and just being able to be a part of that has been so inspiring for me and, I love it.

[01:07:36] I love it. I love my Sistahs in Law and, I'm excited to continue to build and continue to watch where everyone goes and does in law,, outside of law, all of it, when you guys,, if you choose to you have your babies, you get married, whatever you choose to do ,, I'm excited, for the whole person to see each and every one of you guys, just grow.

[01:07:57] Mieola Easter: [01:07:58] Yeah, I agree with [01:08:00] everyone on this call. Everybody here I would agree is my Sistah in Law because I'm so inspired hearing everyone's backgrounds, stories, the goals, the entrepreneurship. Charity, you creating this podcast, Ayana, your platform. Just hearing all these background stories is so inspiring to me as an incoming 1L of the things that I can do. While I'm in law school. And even though I, you know, I'm here in Houston and I haven't been able to talk to all of you all hearing, this is so inspiring and [01:08:30] it's going to give me ideas about what I can do. In particular, I would say Victoria, she is my mentor with BLSA and she's been so helpful for me this first semester. I remember one time it was during finals. I was like laying in bed, stressed out and she just happened to call me and she made me feel a lot better, stressing out about a Contracts final. And she was just so supportive and like, it's okay, you're going to do fine.

[01:08:56] And she sent me resources and it just made me feel a lot better [01:09:00] having that sense of community and that reassurance that, Hey, I'm on the correct path. It's okay to feel stressed. It's okay to feel, you know, it's okay to have feelings about that. So I want to thank her for being such a great support system and just a great leader with BLSA.

[01:09:15] And I've also been able to connect with Khensani who is just a light. She's such a great personality from the times that I have spoken with her with the BLSA meetings.So I would say those are my sisters in law. Additionally. This first semester, I had [01:09:30] Professor Gilles for Civ Pro and she's a Black woman professor.

[01:09:34]And in undergrad, I went to a PWI and I think I only had one professor that was Black and that wasn't until my senior year of college. It's very refreshing coming in as a 1 L and having a Black woman as a professor who is so experienced in the field and also just so knowledgeable. It was just reinforcement to me of the things that I can do as a Black woman in law.

[01:09:59][01:10:00] So I would say I'm so inspired by everyone here, and I'm so happy to be on this podcast and speak with you all.

[01:10:05] Charity: [01:10:06] I love this lovefest going on right now is so amazing. It makes my heart so full to hear you guys say such beautiful things about each other. I want to thank you all for joining and I really appreciate you sharing your stories. so where can the people find you? Connecting on social media or anything.

[01:10:27] If you want people to find you, whereas some [01:10:30] platforms that the audience can follow you on.  

[01:10:32]Victoria Lowe: [01:10:33] So I'm on Instagram. So v dot c dot lowe  LOWE so you can find me.

[01:10:38] Mieola Easter: [01:10:39] I'm on Twitter. You can find me at Mieola underscore Easter. I also recently created a Clubhouse, so you can connect with me on there. and you can also connect with me on Instagram, underscore me east underscore. 

[01:10:53] Jasmine Cooper-Little: [01:10:54] You can also find me on Instagram. My Instagram handle is jazzy 76, [01:11:00] J AZ Z I I seven six. 

[01:11:03] Khensani Mathebula: [01:11:04] You can also find me on Instagram. My tag is Ken K H E N period, sunny like a sunny day.

[01:11:12] Ayana McPherson: [01:11:13] And you guys can find me. My personal page is at Yana Mac that's at Y a N a M a C and my Gem Jar page is at underscore the gem jar.

[01:11:25]  Charity: [01:11:26] Okay. Thank you ladies for joining.

[01:11:32] [01:11:30] Thank you. Thank you.

[01:11:38] Yay.

[01:11:40] That was a very heartfelt ending. It was even more amazing hearing it while recording. To be honest.  To hear more from the ladies, please follow them on social media and also make sure you're following us @sistahsinlaw on Instagram, [01:12:00] @sistahsinlawpod on Twitter, and like our Facebook page Sistahs in Law Podcast.

[01:12:06] For more information about today's episode and to access a full transcript of the recording. Go to www dot sistahs in law that's "S" "I" "S" "T" "A" "H" "S" "I" "N" "L" "A" "W".org.  Thank you for tuning in with me this week and stay tuned for our next Sistah in Law on January 29th. [01:12:30] Talk soon.  Peace.   

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