May 8th 2024.
A single mother from New York is making headlines after achieving a remarkable feat - passing the bar exam on her very first attempt. Despite facing challenges in the past, Afrika Owes never gave up on her dreams and her perseverance has inspired many. In a heartwarming video that she shared on TikTok on April 25, Owes can be seen finding out that she had successfully passed the bar exam. Wearing her Fordham School of Law sweatshirt, she was overcome with emotion as her brother stood behind her, witnessing her incredible achievement. She titled the video, "POV: You're a formerly incarcerated single mom who passed the bar early on the first try," giving viewers a glimpse into her journey.
Owes, who has a four-year-old son named Kairos, often features him in her videos on TikTok. In her caption, she thanked her "angels" - her mother, grandmother, and her son - for their unwavering support. She also expressed her joy at becoming one of the 2% of Black women attorneys in the United States. Her screams of "I passed!" and tears of joy were a testament to her hard work and determination. In her caption, she also paid tribute to her late mother and grandmother, who had inspired her to pursue a career in law.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Owes opened up about her unconventional journey to law school. The Harlem native had served six months on Rikers Island in 2011 for gang-related conspiracy and weapons possession, and was only 17 years old at the time. She shared that she was released after successfully completing two years of college, which was a condition of her probation. Her family had instilled in her the importance of knowing the law, with her mother often advocating for the residents of Harlem. After her time in prison, Owes knew that she wanted to use her knowledge of the law for a greater purpose.
Passing the bar exam on the first try is no easy feat, with only 59% of test-takers achieving this milestone, as confirmed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. For Black participants, the passing rate is even lower at 57%, making Owes' accomplishment all the more remarkable. She attributes her success to her family, who never judged her and always supported her through thick and thin. Owes hopes that her story will serve as a testament to others, showing that everyone makes mistakes but it's never too late to turn your life around.
Owes is set to graduate from Fordham this May, and with her passing the bar exam, she plans on pursuing a career in tax law, with aspirations of a judicial clerkship. The Dean of Fordham's law school, Matthew Diller, praised Owes for her determination and positive impact on the school community. He believes that her story is truly inspiring and looks forward to seeing the contributions she will make to the legal profession and society as a whole. Owes' journey is a triumph, and her hard work and resilience are an inspiration to all.
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