This February, the ÃÛÌÒAPP community gathered to celebrate a historic milestone: the university’s bicentennial. At the same time, this month marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, which honors the achievements and contributions of African Americans and people of African descent across the nation.
For decades, Black students, faculty and alumni at CWRU have left lasting marks on society and history, such as:
- Fred Gray (LAW ’54), renowned civil rights attorney and 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient;
- Stephanie Tubbs Jones, JD (FSM ’71, LAW ’74), the first Black woman elected to Congress from Ohio; and
- Tamia Potter, MD (MED ’23), the first Black woman accepted into Vanderbilt University’s neurosurgery residency program.
Today, Black student leaders at CWRU contribute to this legacy by uplifting the community, advancing advocacy efforts and achieving academic excellence.
In recognition of Black History Month, we spoke with seven student leaders to learn about their journeys and the legacies they are building.
Read on to get to know three of these individuals, who shared their experiences, what drives them, and the impact they hope to leave behind—and learn about four other students we highlighted earlier this month.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Miles Griffin
Miles Griffin is a second-year Juris Doctor (JD) candidate, who specializes in criminal law and litigation. Wanting to build community and sharpen his practical skills, Griffin joined the , where he now serves as the organization’s secretary. At the School of Law, Griffin also competes on the .
Q. What does your cultural heritage mean to you and how has it influenced your identity and experiences on campus?
My Black heritage grounds me in responsibility. I grew up seeing service modeled as a daily obligation, not a slogan. That foundation shapes how I approach law school at CWRU and how I see my future beyond it. I carry an awareness of history, inequality and resilience into every classroom, leadership role and decision about the kind of lawyer I want to become. My identity pushes me to lead with accountability and inclusion. I pay attention to who is missing from the conversation and who needs access, support or advocacy. Leadership, to me, means creating space and making sure people are heard, not just holding a title.
Q: How has your experience at CWRU shaped who you are today and the impact you hope to make moving forward?
My experience at CWRU reinforced that law is a powerful tool that can either protect or harm depending on how it is used. Through hands-on learning, leadership and exposure to real clients, I have seen how access to strong legal representation changes outcomes. These experiences strengthened my commitment to serving communities that are often overlooked. I hope to create impact by advocating with integrity, expanding access to justice and using my training to help build systems that are more fair, accountable and humane. BLSA allows me to support other students navigating law school, and mock trial allows me to develop advocacy in a way that reflects why I came to law school in the first place.
Q. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month and CWRU’s bicentennial. What does it mean to you to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment?
Being part of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month during CWRU’s bicentennial places my legal education within a longer story of progress and accountability. It connects my path to the work of those who expanded access to education and the law before me, which reinforces my responsibility to use legal training to serve communities that the system has overlooked. This moment aligns with my purpose to pursue law as a tool for justice rooted in service, compassion and accountability.
Lorenzo Lopes
A second-year nursing and religious studies student, Lorenzo Lopes serves as the founder and president of the . In their role, Lopes aims to increase representation for underrepresented individuals of various backgrounds and perspectives at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and beyond. On campus, Lopes is also a member of the .
Q. What does your cultural heritage mean to you and how has it influenced your identity and experiences on campus?
My heritage means pride, resilience and responsibility. I was raised in an immigrant household where culture, hard work and love shaped everything I do. My father was born and raised in Cabo Verde, off the west coast of Africa, and my mother was raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Their stories taught me to take pride in my work and to lead with purpose. My family also carries a legacy of being first. My aunt was the first Black woman to become the president of a university in Cabo Verde. My father was the first in his family to immigrate to the United States, and my mother was the first to attend college. Continuing that legacy is both an honor and a responsibility. I hope to become the first in my family to graduate with a degree in nursing.
At CWRU, my cultural background guides how I show up every day. As BSNA president and an active member of other organizations, I strive to lead with passion, service and care for my community. I want my actions to create space, support others and reflect the values my family instilled in me.
Q: How has your experience at CWRU shaped who you are today and the impact you hope to make moving forward?
CWRU strengthened my commitment to serve my community through action and leadership. My work with BSNA and other student organizations showed me how support, representation and advocacy can change a student’s experience. I want every student, especially those who share my background, to feel seen, valued and supported on this campus. When I leave CWRU, I hope the programs and spaces I helped build continue to uplift others and create lasting change. I want to leave this community stronger, more connected and more inclusive than I found it.
Q. Why do you think it’s important for institutions like CWRU to celebrate and recognize various cultural heritages?
When cultural heritage is acknowledged and honored, students feel seen, respected and valued for who they truly are. That sense of belonging shapes confidence, builds community and allows students to grow both personally and academically. My own experiences have shown me how meaningful it is to be in spaces where diversity is not ignored but embraced. In a world where people are often judged or misunderstood for being different, institutions like CWRU have the power to set a better example. By celebrating many cultures, traditions and perspectives, the university creates an environment rooted in respect, unity and understanding. This does more than recognize history—it strengthens relationships across campus and prepares students to lead in diverse communities beyond CWRU.
Nyla Williams
Nyla Williams is a second-year JD candidate and Vattel International Law Scholar at the School of Law. Beyond the classroom, Williams is president of Street Law, a student organization that teaches civic education to residents at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. She is also a member of the International Law Society and the deputy of investigations for the Yemen Accountability Project.
Q. What does your cultural heritage mean to you and how has it influenced your identity and experiences on campus?
I am a proud Black American woman from Douglasville, Georgia. I attended college at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I did not realize how spoiled I was to be surrounded by Black excellence and culture in Atlanta and D.C. Both cities are also home to various integrated cultural groups. Thus, I gravitate towards Black and multicultural spaces. In 2024, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences’ Black Student Association invited the Black Law Students Association to a holiday party. Law students do not interact with the Mandel School students often, so it felt good to take a break from school and connect with other Black scholars on campus. We did not talk much about school. We just ate, played games and enjoyed each other’s company.
Q: How has your experience at CWRU shaped who you are today and the impact you hope to make moving forward?
My experience at CWRU has fed my tendency to step outside of my comfort zone. In 2025, I visited a jail for the first time with Street Law. Throughout my visit, I kept saying to myself, "Wow, I'm really in jail." My first visit was a bit rough; however, those feelings of discomfort did not stay long. I soon realized that even though one resident did not want us there and told us so, it did not matter. What did matter was the one resident who was engaged because he desired to be an attorney. I hope to inspire others to stay true to their community service efforts because it may be one person who needs you, despite what others say. Now, I am excited to visit the juvenile detention center. I am eager to share my law school education with people who are significantly affected by the law every day. Through digital and physical encounters, I aim to show Black women and men that we deserve to take up spaces.
Q. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month and CWRU’s bicentennial. What does it mean to you to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment?
It's historical. I am a first-generation college graduate and law student. My presence at CWRU defies all odds stacked against my family and Black people. I am proud and grateful to be here today. I am eager to make my mark on this campus and world as a Black American woman. February has been a historic month for me. This month, I earned my first CALI Award in international intellectual property. Earning my first CALI Award symbolizes not only personal achievement, but my role in carrying Black excellence forward during a moment that celebrates both legacy and progress.
