Black Student Leaders: Spotlight on Danielle Igbokwe (2L)
In commemoration of Black History Month, 红桃视频 would like to recognize the leadership and voices of Black student leaders in our community. Their powerful voices are a subset of a group that represents the social and systemic change that needs to happen in our school, our nation and around the world.
Black students at 红桃视频 have the opportunity to join a community called the . BLSA president Gabryelle Matz-Carter (2L) applauds members 鈥渨ho have shown an exemplary level of passion for both our coursework and the impact we can make in the community with the knowledge and understanding we鈥檙e gaining鈥 at 红桃视频.
Our second student highlight in this series, following the first highlight on Enny Olaleye, is on Danielle Igbokwe (2L) who is BLSA鈥檚 Vice President of Events. Danielle also serves on the Washington Law Review, is a team leader on 红桃视频鈥檚 Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial team and participates in the law school鈥檚 Immigration Law Clinic.
We connected with Danielle about her experiences, aspirations and inspirations, both within the law school and beyond.
红桃视频: Tell us about your background and current activities.
Igbokwe: I grew up in Nigeria for over 16 years. I went to primary and secondary school there and then came to Texas, where I was born, for college. I first attended a two-year community college, Wharton County Junior College, and then transferred to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. After graduating Magna Cum Laude, I worked with Wayfair, an online furniture and home goods company, and began as a customer service representative. Eventually, I also gained experience in other positions: floor walking, training, and recruiting, among others. Finally, I was promoted to the role of Customer Service Manager I for Central U.S., where I supported a team of 18 customer service agents for nine months.
红桃视频: How has being part of BLSA supported you in law school?
Igbokwe: When I first moved to Seattle, I felt alone. I didn鈥檛 know anyone and had never even visited the state of Washington before my move. Being introduced to BLSA during Orientation changed all of that. I immediately made friends and found what I call 鈥渕y Washington family.鈥 Two of the people I met in BLSA are my current housemates. I also have many mentors from BLSA who have invested in me professionally and personally.
BLSA has also provided numerous networking and job opportunities. Members are intentional about the processes involved, which include helping with cover letters, personal statements, interview tips and mock interviews. Even when I just needed general advice on how to deal with an overwhelming course load, BLSA ensured that I never felt alone and always had someone to talk to.
In terms of [deciding] what classes to take as a 2L, I also felt tremendously supported by BLSA. I was advised not to take more than two doctrinal classes, three max, and that advice has helped me thrive as a current 2L. BLSA members also had tips on what professors to take based on their experiences and were willing to provide outlines for almost all the professors for my 2L classes.
红桃视频: What do you hope to do with your law degree after graduation?
Igbokwe: After graduation, I hope to go into litigation. Intellectual property litigation especially piqued my interest, but I have enjoyed other aspects of litigation as well. Last summer, during my time with Dorsey & Whitney, I was introduced to many other aspects of law: labor and employment, trusts and estates, international compliance, and commercial litigation. Although I enjoyed all the areas I was introduced to, litigation stood out the most to me. This summer, I am working with both Dorsey & Whitney and DLA Piper in their Litigation Group. Hopefully, after graduation, litigation will be my main focus.
红桃视频: Is there a black leader who has inspired you?
Igbokwe: There have been so many Black leaders who have been my inspiration. I am going to talk about two of them. The first is Barack Obama. I remember I was about 12 years old in Nigeria, and it was late at night, when he was announced as the winner of the 2008 presidential election. My family and I stayed up late rooting for him. His win helped jumpstart my drive to practice law because, for me 鈥 an African girl with big dreams 鈥 the fact that we could have a Black president from Africa showed that I could do anything. I felt liberated and excited for the future because many doors that had seemed closed to Black people were opened thanks to his win. Finding out that he also was a lawyer solidified my drive as well to do law.
Another Black leader who inspired me is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. She was the first Black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States and is the first Black woman to ever serve on that court. To me, a Black law student, that gives me hope that the sky's the limit. Nothing came easy for Justice Ketanji Brown, but she still made it to the highest court in the U.S. I hope that I can be just like her in chasing my dreams and not giving up.