Oluwatoni R. Kolawole

When I was in high school, I participated in the College Credit Plus program, so I attended high school and college classes simultaneously. Most of the students in the program started in their junior or senior year, whereas I began in my sophomore year, so I was at least three years younger than many of my university peers. When people would discover my age, unsurprisingly, they would be shocked. Some were impressed, though most others would begin to treat me differently, as if I was out of my element or had nothing to offer them because they were older despite us attending the same classes with the same instructors. As a result of this experience, along with several experiences throughout my life, I have been drawn to those who feel unseen, unheard, and overlooked simply because of who they are. I do my best by God’s grace to see the value in every person, lending an ear to who needs it and being present in every interaction. If I can prevent someone from feeling as alone as I did during high school, then that is a win in my book.

When the law works right and is executed justly by passionate people who care, it enables people who have been wronged to be seen, heard, and understood in a manner unmatched by many other fields. The law is the embodiment of justice when it is enacted with all people in mind, regardless of background, identity, or status.

While companies are run by people, they also provide a shield that mitigates the humanity of those behind the scenes. Real people lack that shield and thus need real support for the real issues they are facing every day.