'Color of Justice' promotes legal careers to underserved Des Moines students

Drake University Law School hosted the Color of Justice program for students from the Des Moines School district. The program, in its second year, included 35 high school students who attended the program, which was co-sponsored by the National Association of Women Judges.

Polk County District Associate Judge Romonda Belcher, Iowa’s first Black female judge, helped organize the event and moderated a panel discussion during the Color of Justice program at Drake University Law School. Photo by Shimae Obie.

Angelina Deng, a sophomore at Roosevelt High School who attended the event, said “a lot of people” in her community distrust the legal system.

“Obviously there are flaws in every system, but I want to be able to be like a bridge . . . between my own community and different communities who have distrust of the law to (help them) understand there are people who can help you.”

The one-day event is designed to introduce underrepresented, minority and low-income students to the law school, experts and legal careers. Students, who interacted with law students, faculty, attorneys and judges, attended a luncheon and took a tour. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen gave the keynote speech. Polk County District Associate Judge Romonda Belcher, Iowa’s first Black female judge, moderated a panel discussion.

Des Moines Roosevelt High School students Angelina Deng, Ealaf Adam and Dairen Castro at the Color of Justice program held March 7 at Drake University Law School. Photo by Shimae Obie.

Ealaf Adam, 18, a senor at Roosevelt High School, said it’s important for her to be exposed to different career paths. She said the law has always interested her because of her personal experiences, which included feeling she had “nowhere to go” for representation.

“I think that it’s important that I become that representation for people who are unable to find it and are seeking help as well,” she said.

Darien Castro, 17, a junior at Roosevelt High School and Central Academy, wants to become an immigration lawyer to help immigrants lead better lives.

“I am from an immigrant family,” she said. “I really want to help those who have trouble with immigration as I have seen it firsthand within my family.”

Blacks makeup 13.4% of the U.S. population, but 5% of lawyers, according to the American Bar Association.

The National Bar Association, which has 67,000 members and 80 chapters, was founded in Des Moines in 1925 by 12 Black lawyers who were denied admittance to the American Bar Association. The sculpture “A Monumental Journey” by artist Kerry James Marshall is located in downtown Des Moines and marks their accomplishment.