USA / 2021 / 25mins / Documentary / English

When these five Black lawyers set out on their journeys to receive a professional legal education, they did not realize that they would have to struggle against additional battles even more challenging than the rigors of learning the law in a hyper-competitive environment. They discover the contradictions of studying in an institution that idealistically represents "justice" for all.

Evangeline M. Mitchell

Director Evangeline M. Mitchell was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Houston, Texas. She holds degrees from HBCU, Prairie View A&M University, the University of Iowa College of Law, and the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She is a licensed lawyer, author / publisher, and social entrepreneur. She is currently working on her Certificate in Documentary Arts from the Duke University Center for Documentary Studies and her Certificate in Television and Film Essentials from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She has dreamt of becoming a filmmaker since she was a teenager. Her inspirations were filmmakers Spike Lee (School Daze) and Henry Hampton (Eyes on the Prize). Her primary goal in wanting to create films is to tell untold stories, make a meaningful contribution and significant impact, and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Her short documentary, Becoming Black Lawyers, is her debut as a director and executive producer. In its short run so far, it has won over 20 national and international awards, including many Best Documentary Short recognitions. Up next is Becoming Black Lawyers II: African Americans and the HBCU Law School Experience and her docu-series and oral history project entitled “The Black Lawyers Legacy Project.” Learn More