CHARLOTTE, N.C./ Sept. 27, 2026 - Students from Johnson C. Smith University joined peers from 48 other HBCUs for the 13th annual HBCU Pre-Law Summit, held on the campus of North Carolina Central University in Durham from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27, 2026. The summit brought together political science, criminology, and business majors for four days of professional insight, mentorship, and motivation ahead of their legal careers.
Throughout the weekend, students attended panels, one-on-one sessions with practicing attorneys, and conversations with law school admissions representatives about expectations and requirements. Current law students also shared firsthand accounts of law school life, offering attendees a realistic picture of what lies ahead after undergrad.
JCSU students who attended included Christine Johnson, Crystia Basnight, Nevaeh Brown, Angela Brunson, Lauren Goldwire, Jamari Brown, and Tajer Basden (Political Science); Clarence Barnett Jr., Alesia Sylverain, Kaudia Williams, Raven Longs, and Trinity Haley-Jones (Criminology); and Jade Alford (Business).
For sophomore Lauren Goldwire, the summit was a defining experience. "My experience at the HBCU Pre-Law Summit was exhilarating," she said. "Being in rooms with other HBCU students who plan to attend law school and make a positive impact reminded me that anything is possible. I took in every motivational message, conversation, and advice shared by Black lawyers, attorneys, law students, and fellow HBCU students. Their experiences gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to pursue a law career while serving your community and staying true to yourself. I left the summit not only feeling motivated, but with a stronger sense of guidance, confidence, and support as I embark on my own journey."
Junior Tajer Basden echoed that sense of community and purpose. "It was wonderful seeing so many people that looked like me in a space and field where people of color only make up 5%," Basden said. "It gave me hope to be surrounded by so many Black and brown women all striving to achieve higher education in a very competitive field. Hearing firsthand student accounts of their experiences attending both HBCUs and PWIs was informative — it helped solidify my understanding and will help me as I dive into my future endeavors. The experience taught me to expect the unexpected, and that we have to work twice as hard to be where everyone is, but that gives us twice the drive and ambition when we get in the courtroom."
The summit was made possible in part through the generous sponsorship of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, Attorneys & Counselors at Law, whose funding allowed students to attend and gain firsthand knowledge of the legal profession. Special thanks also go to Assistant Professor Jasmine M. Corbett for making it possible for these students to participate in the summit.
