By William H. Kelly III
(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University welcomed the Honorable Barbara Blackmon for its Pathway to Law School Lecture Series under the recently announced 3+3 Accelerated Law Program in collaboration with the University of Mississippi School of Law. Blackmon served as the guest speaker for the first of many lecture series to educate and inspire students to find their purpose as they pursue careers in law.
“I am very excited that students are interested in learning more about how to get into law school and do so successfully while remaining curious about that journey,” said Practicing Attorney and JSU First Lady LaToya Thompson, Esq. “I really hope things like this lecture series and the other components of our Pathway to Law School with the University of Mississippi School of Law help our students not only make a good decision about whether law school is for them but also make decisions that set them up to have as easy and successful of a path as possible.”
The 3+3 Accelerated Law Program was announced earlier this summer, making history for JSU and its students by allowing them to complete their undergraduate and law degrees in just six years. Administrators from both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 27, 2024. The program is one of four initiatives that First Lady Thompson is dedicated to implementing at Jackson State to help students who want to be in the legal profession.
“I’m excited that the First Lady chose this as her first project. With her being a lawyer, she understands the importance of getting our students trained and educated on the bar, and being able to then go and excel at the University of Mississippi just like I did,” said Blackmon.
Blackmon is a lawyer, politician, and JSU alum who broke barriers in her field and career. Among other things, she served 12 years in the Mississippi State Senate and was elected as the first Black woman to represent Madison, Yazoo, and Holmes counties.
She and her husband, Edward Blackmon, Jr., received an award for Black Philanthropy for giving $1,000,000.00 to Tougaloo College and $750,000.00 to Jackson State University, and they provided scholarships and awards to 53 students through their previous foundation.
“Jackson State prepared me for everything I’ve ever done in my life, so you all need to cherish these moments while you’re here, they go by so fast. Interact with your teachers and professors, and they can help propel you to the next decision that you make,” Blackmon shared.
Through the partnership with the University of Mississippi, students can experience a preview day and participate in a lecture series. The preview day is an annual immersion event that allows students to experience firsthand a day in the life of a law student at the University of Mississippi School of Law. The lecture series exposes students to industry professionals once a semester at Jackson State University.
The HBCU also offers the Bob Owens Pre-Law Center, named for the noted attorney, JSU alumnus, and former IHL trustee. The Center’s premiere program is the Bob Owens Pre-Law Academy, which serves as an accelerated and interdisciplinary boost to prepare students for the LSAT exam and the complexities of law school.
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