I recently watched an incredible speech by Cynthia Erivo for Essence's “Black Women In Hollywood 2025” during this International Women's Month. To put it simply, it was an amazing and powerful speech that truly resonated with me. She spoke about individual power, the capacity to “fly,” and, most importantly, never letting anyone hold you back or tell you that you are not enough.
“I wanted to take this opportunity as more than an opportunity to accept this beautiful award and honor. I wanted to use it as a way to affirm to you all: You weren't insane when you were dreaming of being a superhero. You weren't asking too much when you wanted to be seen as the lead. When you were little and believed you could fly, that wasn't a fairy tale. When you look in the mirror and the thought crosses your mind—if only for a fleeting moment—that you might be in possession of powerful magic, entertain that thought. Do not dismiss it. Nourish it because it's real. When you walk into a room and people stare, my darlings, you have an audience. Now give them what they came for.”
Though these words are empowering and, I believe, true, they made me reflect on how incredibly difficult it can be to achieve one's dreams without support and encouragement. It led me to appreciate how fortunate I have been on my journey toward a career in law, having a strong support system that has helped me every step of the way. My family has been instrumental in my success—without them, I could never have conquered university and law school applications or even imagined that I could “fly.”
The person who first inspired me to pursue a career in law was my aunt, my mom's sister. She is an extremely successful commercial lawyer and an incredible person. When I was young, I knew she was someone special, but I didn't quite understand why. My mom always spoke about how much she admired her older sister and how she paved the way for their siblings to succeed. She told me that my aunt was a lawyer and that she helped people through the law. Of course, as a child, I didn't fully grasp what that meant, but I was impressed nonetheless.
From that moment, I began to observe my aunt more closely. I saw how strong she was, and when I learned she had attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it only solidified my dream of going there. As I grew older and gained a better understanding of what it meant to be a lawyer, my aunt shared stories about her undergraduate years, her law school journey, her many successes, and her challenges. I was inspired by her experiences and knew that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. Ever since, she has been an incredible source of support, offering invaluable advice, recommendations, and encouragement. Without her example, I know I wouldn't be on this path.
I remember when I first told her I was considering a career related to criminal justice after reading “Just Mercy”. She encouraged me, telling me what an incredible path it was but also how difficult it could be. She shared her experience working for the state defense attorney and how she ultimately realized it wasn't the right fit for her. Through her, I learned that there is no single “right” path in law and that it's okay to take time to find what fits best. She later told me about her amazing pro bono work with youth in her community, even while maintaining a demanding career. To me, this is an example of someone who has flown, and I knew I wanted to as well.
I am incredibly fortunate to have so many people in my corner—my mom, my stepmom, my dads, my siblings, my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, and countless others. It took me a long time to fully appreciate just how lucky I am and to recognize that not everyone has access to the same level of support. That realization is part of what drew me to the law. Law is one of the most powerful tools for advocacy and protection, and I believe we have the ability and the responsibility to expand its reach, ensuring that those who lack support have the resources they need to thrive.
I see this kind of advocacy in action through Impartial. The organization amplifies the voices of wrongly accused individuals in North Carolina, offering them a platform to share their stories. Through art, Impartial helps the unheard be seen and recognized, elevating their work to national stages, even as far as the Grammys in Los Angeles.
Where would any of us be without our allies? Cynthia Erivo's speech is one of the most moving and powerful things I've heard in a long time. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend taking the time to listen.
