Braelyn Bishop ’25, Vice-President of BLSA

As a third-year law student at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Braelyn Bishop has made a lasting impact on both her peers and the Black Law Students Association, known as BLSA. She currently serves as the organization’s vice president.

Hailing from Florida A&M University with a degree in political science, Bishop’s journey into law school was driven by a desire for community and support.

“My involvement in BLSA stemmed from a desire to find a supportive community where I could connect with others who shared similar experiences and challenges in navigating law school,” Bishop explains. “BLSA is more than just an organization—it’s a family. It represents a legacy of resilience, excellence, and community. Through BLSA, I’ve gained mentorship, professional opportunities, and lifelong friendships that have been invaluable to my academic growth.”

As a first-generation law student, Bishop credits her parents as her biggest influences. Their unwavering support has been pivotal in helping her navigate the challenges of law school. “Their belief in me and their emphasis on perseverance have been the driving forces behind my success,” she says.

Looking ahead to her legal career, Bishop is focused on gaining a diverse range of experiences, with a particular interest in both civil and criminal law. She aspires to offer pro bono services to underprivileged communities and, eventually, become a judge committed to fairness and integrity.

Bishop is deeply committed to BLSA’s mission, which plays a critical role in supporting Black students at the law school. “BLSA’s mission is to ensure that Black law students thrive academically and professionally,” she shares. “We provide support through study halls, writing workshops, and opportunities to connect with alumni. BLSA also works to secure internships for members, helping them gain practical legal skills.”

One of Bishop’s proudest moments as vice president of BLSA is organizing the Breaking Barriers: Black in Law Panel, which connects students with practicing lawyers and judges to offer guidance and inspiration. She is also excited about the creation of a textbook library to alleviate the financial burden on students, making resources more accessible to current and future members.

BLSA is also in the early stages of establishing a scholarship fund for its members, aimed at providing financial assistance for essential law school needs.

The BLSA library initiative is entirely student-driven, with the law library serving as a host for the books and a facilitator of their TWEN course, an online platform where law students can access course materials, discussions, and resources. Textbooks and supplemental books, a feature introduced last semester, are available on a cart in the library lounge. Additionally, the outline bank, which has existed for several years, is accessible within the TWEN BLSA course.

For prospective students, Bishop offers this advice: “Take full advantage of the opportunities Widener has to offer, especially through BLSA. It’s an excellent platform for networking, gaining insight into different areas of law, and building relationships with professionals in your field of interest. And remember, law school is a marathon, not a sprint—find balance and stay focused.”

Interview was conducted in Winter 2025.