ELITE Program for Black Youth hosts new program at Faculty of Law

Aspiring Black law students are invited to kickstart their future in law with a new program hosted by the ELITE Program at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law.

The ELITE Program Pathway for Law aims to demystify law school and connect aspiring Black law students with mentors. The two-day event, hosted on August 16 - 17 at the Law Centre, includes an information session, tour of the building, networking reception and career panel featuring Black legal professionals. The event is generously sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association — Alberta Branch.

“We aim to help aspiring Black law students with their journey towards a legal career, starting with the application to law school,” says Professor Ubaka Ogbogu, who has partnered with Professor André McDonald, the director of the ELITE Program, for the new series.

ELITE, the Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Program for Black Youth, was established in 2021 by McDonald. The program is designed to support Black youth pursuing education and careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, as well as entrepreneurship. 

“I think that the ELITE Program has created a large ripple effect in the landscape for Black students,” says McDonald. “Our interns are being exposed to ambitious peers and successful Black professionals, and I think this is contributing to, what I would call, an atmosphere of achievement where students who are getting to witness success in STEM and entrepreneurship at all levels are inspired to reach further, dream bigger, and encourage their peers to do the same.”

Ogbogu hopes to see the same ripple effects make positive waves in the legal field.

“The ELITE Program has been very successful with connecting Black youth with the University of Alberta,” says Ogbogu. “ELITE has served as a conduit into the STEM fields by providing training, building community, and fostering Black representation and Black life. These are things worth emulating in the Faculty of Law as we grapple with and seek to address the problem of underrepresentation of Black students in our Faculty.”

McDonald wants the ELITE Program’s interns to know that there is no shortage of career opportunities for high-achieving students — and that includes opportunities in law.

“Our goal with this pathway is to further broaden the horizons of ELITE Program interns and alumni and provide them with an opportunity to explore a new field,” says McDonald. “We’re always reinforcing to our interns that yes, they can leverage their scientific backgrounds and experience into careers as doctors, researchers, engineers etcetera and simultaneously explore careers in business, psychology, entrepreneurship, and now law. Many paths lie before our interns and we want to ensure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions about the career and professional paths they will choose.”

Pathway For Law

During the sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the admissions process, financial support and academic opportunities available at the Faculty of Law. Panel discussions will shed light on the challenges and opportunities that aspiring Black law students may encounter in the profession. A community-building and networking reception will give space for students and legal professionals to meaningfully connect.

“In my encounters with aspiring Black law students, I have observed a lot of confusion regarding what it takes to get into law school,” says Ogbogu. “The process and requirements can be very opaque. Our aim is not just to provide information, guidance and resources but to foster a connection to the University of Alberta Faculty of Law that goes beyond applying to law school.”

“We want to make sure they see themselves as part of the Faculty of Law and the University long before they get here, and that they get what they need to be able to apply successfully and get in.” 

The program also aims to help students build a connection with Black members of the legal community — a critical step to ensuring students have mentors who can provide guidance on navigating law school and beyond. 

“Black youth need role models and mentors who share a cultural connection and lived experiences, and we hope that the ELITE Pathway for Law events would be a first step to connecting them to such role models and mentors,” says Ogbogu.

Events like these are crucial, he adds.

“They break down barriers that are often invisible within large systems or institutions where Black people are severely underrepresented. I don't think people like to join institutions or communities where they don't see others like them or see their culture or lived experiences represented or acknowledged. With events like this, we demystify these institutions and make Black Life more visible, one event at a time.”

A law degree opens doors, whether students choose to pursue private practice, public service or alternative careers. McDonald knows this first hand.

“Legal education is beneficial regardless of discipline,” says McDonald. “As an engineer with a law degree myself, there have been numerous times throughout my career when I’ve been able to fall back on that education in my academic and professional career. If our students can benefit from similar education, we want to ensure they know that the option is available to them.”

Ogbogu encourages students to set their sights high.

“My advice to Black students unsure about a career in law is to explore and embrace the desire for this versatility,” says Ogbogu. “Black people can be anything we want to be, so why not get involved with a field that also allows you to be anything you can be career-wise? I think it's a perfect match.”

Students interested in attending can learn more and register on the Faculty of Law’s event page.