Middle school students from Detroit’s David Ellis Academy will visit Wayne State University Law School Friday to participate in a live debate with the mentorship of lawyers and law students. The debate is part of the hands-on “Be the Change” experience designed by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) to expose Detroit youth to career opportunities in law.
“‘Be the Change’ is a pivotal early pipeline program that pushes Detroit youth to start thinking about becoming a lawyer at an early age,” said Jamerika Ramsey, BLSA president and a second-year law student. “We want Detroit students to see that lawyers can look like them, too.”
The students will debate the following topics:
- Should the government limit how much time kids can spend online?
- When the government legalizes an activity that used to be a crime, should people incarcerated for violating the old law be released?
- Should Congress pass a law that bans hair discrimination?
WHAT: Live debate featuring middle school students from Detroit’s David Ellis Academy.
WHEN: Friday, April 8, 2022 from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
WHERE: Wayne State University Law School, 471 W. Palmer Ave., Detroit, MI 48202.
In addition to the live debate, the students will tour the law school and have a mentorship lunch with lawyers from Michigan law firm Collins Einhorn Farrell P.C., which has partnered with BLSA to organize the “Be the Change” event. Students will also be given t-shirts from the Wayne Law Diversity Coalition (WLDC)’s “Lawyers Look Like Me” campaign.
Members of the media are invited to cover the debate, which takes place from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Interview opportunities will be available after the debate.
Contact:
Nikki Taylor-Vargo
Call/Text: 517-881-2718
nikkitv@wayne.edu