“Change begins with enforcing equal rights to minorities!“
-Jeanelle C. Angus, MPA (Founder & President)
About Us
Lawyers With Melanin®, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Jeanelle Angus, MPA, two weeks before her birthday in March 2022. During her first semester of law school, though Jeanelle was an active member of a few programs and clubs, she felt uncomfortable sharing her mental health experience. At the time, Jeanelle had lost two cousins because of COVID-19 and could not attend either funeral. Given that, Jeanelle was also experiencing family issues, which lowered her self-esteem and made it more difficult for her to succeed during her first semester as a 1L. From there, Jeanelle had to seek therapy and grow on her own. She also had the help of her TAP mentor, Attorney Richard Ramsey, a few other lawyers of color, her two close girlfriends from Suffolk University Law School, and her family.
Furthermore, Jeanelle believes that if it weren’t for the motivation and support from lawyers of color, she would not have continued to pursue her law degree. According to Jeanelle, “They are lawyers of color, which I am aiming to become, and they understand that this path is hard. Rather than putting me down, they were able to empathize with me and push me to continue. I also had the help and support from two Law Professors and the Dean of Students, all of which supported me and were minorities.” After debating and placing it on hold, Jeanelle finally launched Lawyers With Melanin®, Inc.
Since our launch in 2000, the team at Lawyers With Melanin®, Inc has worked tirelessly to promote our cause. We are fortunate to have volunteers and staff from all walks of life who bring their unique expertise and resources into everything we do. This is what enables us to achieve our goals year after year. While there is always more that can be done, there is no doubt that we are making a significant impact. We don’t measure our success through just facts and figures, but through happy faces and heartwarming feedback. See how you can become part of the difference.
Our Services
Scholarship
Your donation will help increase minority representation in the legal field by sponsoring a pre-law student, a law student, and a recent law school graduate who plans to take the bar exam. We also create scholarships with the proceeds of our Etsy and Facebook stores.
Mentorship
Our mentorship program is open to current law students and lawyers of color who want to share their experiences with other minority prospective lawyers. Therefore, mentors and mentees are matched based on their interests, needs, and areas of interest. The opportunity to serve a pre-law or another law student is also available to law students.
Networking
It all begins with you, a current lawyer of color practicing. However, you are willing to take the time to teach and guide a prospective lawyer of color who is interested in your area of practice or would like to have a solo practice, essentially following in your footsteps. We understand that your time is precious, but volunteering with us can help create the necessary changes in the community.
Mission Statement: Given that less than 5% of lawyers are Black, 5% Hispanic, and 4% Asian and Native American, Lawyers with Melanin® was created to support and promote minority representation within the legal field by providing mentorship, guidance, and scholarship to pre-law and law students of color. In addition, we also support current lawyers of color through networking and motivating them to work towards their career goals by providing branding and collaboration opportunities. To increase these numbers and bridge that gap, current minority lawyers, law students, and aspiring lawyers must meet, connect, and motivate one another during these times. We cannot get there on our own, but we can with the love and support from each other, especially those who have similar experiences and barriers, such as those of first-generation and low-income. Last, but not least, we also provide scholarships to pre-law students who need assistance in taking the LSAT and applying to law school, as well as recent law graduates who require funding and resources to prepare for the bar exam.
UNVEILING STRENGTH AND FAITH: The Diary of A Black Christian Female Law Student
By Jeanelle Christina Angus MPA (Author)
Discover how to turn challenges into triumphs and use your unique background as a strength. A must-read for those looking to make their mark in law while staying true to their beliefs and identity.
Transform your law school journey with this empowering guide. Order now and unlock your potential!
Lawyers With Melanin® 