Doriane Nguenang' ‘21
Guest Editor
1. What is Pembe?
Pembe is a non-profit organization focused on mentoring aspiring law students of African descent throughout the law school application process. Our executive board consists of current law students at top U.S. law schools and recent graduates working across the private sector, including law firms and investment banks, as well as the United Nations. Our mission is to increase the representation of people of African descent in the U.S. legal profession by providing free mentorship and law school admissions counseling to prospective law school applicants.
2. What inspired you to join Pembe?
I was inspired to join Pembe by my own law school journey. I moved to the United States when I was sixteen years old. I knew early on I wanted to study law. However, my initial roadmap to get there was quite different from my ultimate path. Initially, my goal was to go to law school in France after graduating from the French International School in Bethesda, Maryland. However, my parents encouraged me to stay in the United States for the better educational opportunities. I decided to stay, and obtained a degree in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. From there, I embarked on my law school journey.
As someone with a Franco-Cameroonian background, the law school application process was very challenging. When I started the process, I knew nothing about the law school application process in the United States, nor did I know any lawyers who could provide me with critical advice on how to be successful with my law school applications. I did a lot of research online to learn what I needed to do to apply and be a successful candidate. Later on, while interning at a solo law firm in D.C., the lawyer I interned for provided me with great insight into the law school application process and valuable feedback on my personal statement. Following my applications, I was fortunate enough to be accepted at several law schools, including UVA Law.
When a friend at Harvard Law School (Brice Ngameni, Pembe’s President and Co-Founder) invited me to join Pembe, I immediately knew that I wanted to join the organization. I want to help students who look like me in their law school application process. I do not want them to go into the application process blind as I did. There are various barriers, including a lack of access to knowledge and connections, and financial difficulties, that prevent many students of African descent from applying to and attending U.S. law schools. If I can help in any way in minimizing these barriers, I want to know that I have done my part.
3. What is your role within Pembe?
I am Pembe’s Content Director. As Content Director, I am responsible for overseeing Pembe’s content efforts, including compiling resources on the law school application process for mentors and mentees, and developing training presentations for mentors. I recently completed detailed modules on LSAT preparation, resources for scholarships, and writing personal statements, which we hope to share with our mentors and mentees. The LSAT modules include information on best practices for LSAT success, structured study plans, and resources for scholarships and grants to cover LSAT expenses. I also created a “Road to Success” series to provide pre-law students with first-hand LSAT preparation and other admissions-related information from current or past law students who have taken the LSAT in the last couple of years.
4. How can others get involved with Pembe?
We have recently started our recruiting campaign for mentees and mentors. More information about applying to become a mentor or mentee can be found on Pembe’s website at www.pembeorg.com.
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dn6ra@virginia.edu