Seven Talladega College Pre-Law Society (PLS) and Criminal Justice Club students recently attended the 10th Annual HBCU Pre-Law Summit & Law Expo held in Washington, D.C., September 21-23, 2023.
The Summit is the nation’s only major national pre-law event created especially for historically Black college and university (HBCU) students and alumni interested in law school and becoming lawyers.
Not only did PLS President Jelissa Bocage, PLS Treasurer Amaya Agee, and other students have a chance to meet students, faculty, and administrators from law schools and pre-law programs across the nation, they had the opportunity to witness Talladega College President Dr. Gregory J. Vincent deliver a keynote address and be inducted into the National HBCU Pre-Law Hall of Fame.
Vice President for Compliance, Title IX, and EEO Marsetta Lee, ‘84, and Criminal Justice faculty member Lynda Woods also represented Talladega College at the three-day event.
Pulling from his expertise as a former litigator, Vincent spoke about the power of the legal professional to change society during his address.
“As I delivered the keynote address, I was grateful for the opportunity to help ignite passion and purpose within these future advocates for justice,” Vincent said. ”Our HBCUs have long been beacons of hope, nurturing the minds and spirits of those who dare to challenge the status quo. It is my firm belief that the law, when wielded with integrity and empathy, has the power to transform lives and uplift marginalized communities.”
The pinnacle of the event was Vincent’s National HBCU Pre-Law Hall of Fame induction, an honor bestowed upon outstanding legal professionals with HBCU ties.
“I was deeply honored to be inducted into the National HBCU Pre-Law Hall of Fame,” Vincent said. “This recognition is a testament to the power of HBCUs in cultivating future legal minds and leaders. Together, HBCUs can continue to shape a more diverse and inclusive legal profession that will better represent and serve our society."
“The Summit was a first for all (TC) attendees, and it did not disappoint,” Marsetta Lee explained. “Over 100 law schools were represented in the exhibit hall, which provided students with excellent opportunities to converse and ask questions. Several panel discussions were held, which provided the students the opportunity to hear the perspectives of seasoned and young lawyers, deans of law school, and law professors.”
“Our students were able to meet with admissions officers and Southern Law Center Chancellor John Pierre, who spoke extensively with Jelissa Bocage,” Lee said.
According to Lee, a bonus day was added to the Summit, which allowed attendees to tour law schools in the area, capital buildings, and museums. “We toured the African American Legacy Museum for more than 5 hours. The students were in awe. Then we went to the White House complex where people were gathered to support Ukraine since President Biden and the Ukrainian President were meeting,” she said.
Pre-Law Treasurer, Amaya Agee, described the Summit as an “amazing and eye-opening experience.” she added, “I was able to learn so much about law school as well as expand my horizons.” Agee also noted how great it was to have Dr. Vincent present as a guest speaker. She laughingly noted that it gave them a celebrity status because attendees would connect them to Dr. Vincent.
Lee said, “The Summit served as a reminder that we must be vigilant in planning and preparing to expose our students to a myriad of intellectual and life-changing experiences to light their passion and connect them with like-minded scholars.”
