Honoring Black History: ODEIB Student Features
Stephanie Thomas, 3L, decided to pursue a legal education after working with attorneys at the Social Security Administration.
A proud alumna of Howard University, a Historically Black University in Washington D.C., she wants to help create a more diverse legal field. “Allyship is important. We’re fighting for diversity of all kinds,” she explained.
Thomas’s advice to other law students is simple: give yourself grace. “Everything you go through in law school is going to be a learning lesson; everything is preparing you for your future. Don’t succumb to imposter syndrome, you were meant to be here.”
Thomas is the President of the Black Law Students Association and the Vice President of Parents in Law.
Mecca Muhammad, 3L, decide to change career paths from a career in medicine to a career in law after the COVID-19 pandemic. “After reflecting on the state of our country, it became apparent that law school was exactly what I wanted to do,” she explained.
Muhammad believes that for future generations to believe something is attainable, they must see examples of people like them doing it. “It is great to be the first, but it is even better to know that there are people who can be there to guide you through your journey,” she said.
Muhammad is the Vice President of the Black Law Students Association, Vice President of the Intellectual Property Law Student Association, Member of the Hispanic and Latino/a Law Students Association and a Junior Member of Moot Court.
Andre Williams, 2L, decided to pursue a legal career to serve people and the community as the first in his family to become an attorney.
“As a high schooler, I had the opportunity to be dual enrolled and take college courses. This solidified my desire to pursue law,” he explained. “I learned how to read a case and write briefs. I even had my first oral argument.”
Williams wants to pursue a career in criminal law. “I take pride being a young Black man in a field that is usually dominated by white men. Having diversity in the legal profession gives exposure to others to see that they can pursue this and make changes.”
Williams is a Henry H. Tarrant Scholar and has been named to the Dean’s List. He was a legal intern at the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office in the summer after his 1L year and he will be a Summer Associate at Warner Norcross & Judd in Summer 2025.