Featured Alumni Spotlights

“I attended the conference in November 2010 and it has by far been the best pre-law event that I’ve attended. The information I received through the workshops and panels were invaluable. During the LSAT panel, I felt encouraged after being informed of the national average LSAT score for African Americans and for all test takers. Learning that the test was not one of intelligence, but of skills that could be learned gave me confidence that I could conquer the test. Being surrounded by so many African American judges, lawyers, and administrators was a breath of fresh air and an assurance that I too could join the ranks of Black lawyers. Had it not been for the conference, I don’t think that I would have walked away with the confidence I needed to navigate the admissions process nor would I have met a judge which led to me joining a local non-profit and a research opportunity for this summer. I was accepted to University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Pennsylvania, Duke, Georgetown, Cornell, and University of Southern California. None of that would be possible without the encouragement, amazing advice and instruction, and hope I received after attending the National Black Pre-Law Conference.”

– Chayla C. Jackson, Incoming 1L, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC

“My name is Ashley Cloud. I am from Houston, Texas and graduated from the University of Houston in 2009. I’ve always known that I wanted to become a lawyer, but the real confirmation came when I attended The National Black Pre-Law Conference. I came across information about the conference while scrolling through twitter and quickly signed up for that upcoming conference. I didn’t know many people that were on the same path as me and I didn’t have anyone to turn to for guidance and felt that I would find some sense of relief by attending the conference. I could not have been more pleasantly surprised. After the last day of the conference, I knew in my heart that I would and could go to law school and become a successful lawyer. Even though I already had my own reasons for wanting to become a lawyer, after learning about the lack of black attorneys and the need for them, I knew that I had no other choice but to do this. Our community needs us more than most people know.

I took the LSAT that December, but did not do nearly as well as I knew that I was capable of. I took a break from it, worked full time, and began studying again that next July. I took the LSAT again and did even better than I could have imagined. I felt that if I wouldn’t have gone to the conference and talked to people who did their best and are now seeing the results of that, I may have settled for my first score and gotten into any school that would accept me in the surrounding Houston areas.

After getting my new scores back and attending the conference and law school fair again, I decided to broaden my horizons and apply to schools that I wouldn’t have even dreamed of getting into. Of the 14 or so schools that I applied to, I got accepted to all but about 4 of them, some of which offered awesome scholarships!

After much deliberation, I’ve recently decided to study law at Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC and I am extremely excited about it. I really don’t feel that I would have the confidence in myself or the motivation that I have if it wasn’t for The National Black Pre-Law Conference. Before the conference, I was only thinking inside the box, but now I feel that I can accomplish anything that I really work hard for and put my all into. I urge anyone who is interested in law school to attend the conference. The experience will push you to go for your dreams and take away any doubt that you can’t do this. You can do it and it can become a reality. I am living proof of that!”

- Ashley Cloud, Incoming 1L, Howard University School of Law (Washington, DC)

The National Black Pre-Law Conference provided an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring lawyers of all ages to understand the lack of our representation in the legal profession and the need for our services. After meeting with so many like -minded professionals and students I feel assured in my path in life, knowing that I am not alone. I greatly appreciate all the guest speakers, panelists, and volunteers for their hard work in putting together this event. Being surrounded by people that look like me and understand what I will be going through was encouraging. Everyone was so open and forthcoming making for a comfortable environment. Not only did each person go out of their way to make sure students with questions got their answer but they were kind with great senses of humor. Thank you so much for granting me this incredible and unforgettable opportunity. I look forward to future events.

- Michaela Clark, Aspiring Lawyer, Sam Houston State University Alumna, Houston, Texas 

“At an early age, I knew that I wanted to be somebody great. Although I did not have the opportunity to attend college until my forties, I still knew that I could make a difference in the lives of people; but I did not have a foundation. I did not have someone to show me which direction to take. I guess being a non-traditional student caused faculty to believe that I should already know what to do. Sadly, I did not know until I heard about the 8th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference.  Immediately, I registered for this event not knowing how I was going to fund the trip and hotel accommodations. It really did not matter to me how I got there, I just knew that the conference was the place I had to be. I believed, in my soul and spirit, that my destiny was tied up in the midst of this great event. It was homecoming week at my school and the Legal Study students were not able to take this trip with me; so there went my extra money but I was still determined to go.  I did not care about the “what if’s” I only cared about being present for this life-changing experience. I made it to Houston at 5:00 am and I parked in the garage of the Galleria hotel. I sat there reading the material that Evangeline Mitchell, Esq. sent me prior to coming down. I read about all the great things that they had in store for me. I was so excited that I could not think about anything else. For me, it was a dream come true. Reading all the testimonials from the last conference confirmed my presence there. There was no doubt about it, I was at the right place at the right time. I soon made my way to the registration area at 7:30 am and saw Evangeline and her group working hard to make sure that we all had a beautiful experience. I spoke with her briefly (Evangeline) and I must say I felt pretty important. This awesome woman, who has sacrificed her time and money, took out time to talk to me.  She reached a part of me that no one else has been able to do. She reached my destiny. There was such a wealth of information at this conference that I took out time to call everyone I knew, in Dallas, and told them my experience. From the panel discussions to the mock application reviews; from the LSAT preparation panel to the LSAT pre-test; from the mock interviews to the pinning ceremony, it all was very well put together. It was especially interesting to see all the young people that were there from different states. I had the opportunity to befriend many of these young people and I was inspired by them as well.  I stepped out on faith and believed God for the direction that He was taking my life and I was blessed all the way back home. … I have been to a lot of conferences over the years but I have never had such a mind-changing experience like I did at the 8th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference this past weekend.  Thank you sooooo much Evangeline Mitchell for your hard work and dedication to the cause of helping to shape aspiring lawyers.  Thank you.  

- Sylvia Mayfield, Aspiring Lawyer, Paul Quinn College

“The National Black Pre-Law Conference truly is the preeminent event for minorities who are contemplating the study and practice of law. The conference is very well organized and yields SO much information that will help to guide you on your journey. I personally attended the 2010 conference and the wealth of information and contacts that I had access to were invaluable. I do not believe that I could have gotten this experience anywhere else. Ms. Mitchell executes the conference so masterfully, providing general information, yet skillfully catering to the needs of minorities. If no one else has, let me be the first to tell you that you will truly be missing out on a would-be indispensable opportunity if you pass up attendance. Because of the skills and concepts that I gleaned from conference, I was able to successfully make my way through the admissions process. Subsequently, I have held the offices of Vice President and President of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity International, I was the recipient of several honors from my undergraduate institution, and I was able to finish school in 3.5 years with a 3.84 GPA. I was also selected as a University of Baltimore School of Law Scholar, which allowed me to participate in law school bootcamp, take a free prep course, and gain admission into the University of Baltimore School of Law. All of these great privileges were made possible by the insight gained from The National Black Pre-Law Conference. I was ultimately accepted to the University of Maryland, University of Baltimore, and Howard University Schools of Law. Bottom Line: GO! Be Inspired! Rise to the Challenge! and SUCCEED!”

Vincent Brown, Graduate, University of Baltimore; Current Law Student