Women of Campbell Law: Awa Mbai ’27

Leadership position(s) held in law school: National Black Law Student Association, Director of Academic Affairs and Editor in Chief of Legal Pad; North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2L representative

Undergrad institution and major: University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Political Science with minor in Spanish

Jobs/Internships: King Law, 2L Summer Law Clerk; Campbell University, General Counsel Extern; Jeff Jackson, Congressional Intern; and Kathy Manning, Constituent Liaison Assistant

How do you spend your free time? 

In law school it can be hard to find free time, but I make the most of mine by spending it with friends and going on trail walks. These moments keep me grounded and remind me of who I am outside of academics. I try to emphasize my community, because it’s easy to forget to lean on it, and it’s too valuable to take for granted.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you personally?

Women’s History Month, to me, is a powerful reminder of a legacy built on resilience, courage and the refusal to be silenced even when the world has said “you can’t.” It represents generations of women who have not only excelled in the face of barriers, but who have also challenged those barriers and redefined what is possible. It is about taking a stand for what is right, even when it is uncomfortable and using our voices to advocate not just for ourselves, but for others who are unheard. It means recognizing the importance of intersectionality and understanding how different identities shape the challenges women face, while still finding strength in unity. Above all, Women’s History Month is a living legacy, one carried forward by advocates, leaders and everyday women who continue to rise, speak out and fight for equity and justice in every space they enter.

How do you plan to make history?

I plan to make history by using my voice as a Black woman in America to uplift, empower and transform the spaces I enter. I want to look every little girl who has been told she can’t in the eye, hold her hand and remind her without hesitation that she can, that she will, and that she is more than enough. I want to create the spaces I once needed, spaces where she is seen, heard, protected and believed in. I want to be the light at the end of the tunnel when doubt surrounds her, the voice that speaks life into her when the world tries to silence her. I will lead by example, breaking barriers, opening doors and refusing to shrink in places I was never meant to fit into. And in doing so, I won’t just make history, I will help rewrite the narrative, so the next generation doesn’t have to question their worth, their power or their place in this world.

Best advice for a 1L?

Remember to keep pushing, even on the days and nights when nothing seems to make sense. Law school is grueling, but a legal education and a law degree give you extraordinary power, the ability to shape, protect and change the world. This challenge is temporary, but the resilience you build here will stay with you for life. Take breaks when you need them but never lose sight of your purpose. Ask yourself every day what impact you want to leave, whether small or monumental, and live with intention. Lead boldly, act with conviction, and let your time here forge the strength and clarity to make a difference that lasts.