She got help telling her story, and was accepted into Law by Philip Fine
With their student-led admission clinics, the Black Law Students’ Association of McGill (BLSAM) plays a crucial role in opening doors for applicants of colour. Workshops pair up prospective students with BLSAM members, who conduct a review session of their application materials. That is how then-CEGEP student Anne-Clara Sanon met Fanta Ly, who helped her find the words to tell her story. Anne-Clara Sanon (pictured left) met 3L student
Neither student had ever met a lawyer before applying
Fanta Ly (right) at one of the open houses hosted
to McGill Law. Ly considers the lack of connections in
by the Black Law Students’ Association of McGill
the profession to be a reflection of the under-represen-
(BLSAM). Sanon was qualified and enthusiastic,
tation of certain communities in law school.
and Ly was determined to help her put together a great application.
Last winter, Ly met with Sanon on several occasions over Zoom. Ly, whose parents hail from Guinea and
Ly is co-president of the BLSAM. One of the group’s
Senegal, and who came to law with an interest in African
priorities is to connect with diverse populations and
constitutionalism, knew how the applicant could stand
work with students in crafting their applications.
out. She helped Sanon polish the stories from her
“My role was to motivate Anne-Clara and to help her
observations in Haiti, and helped her demonstrate that
understand that she’s good enough to be here.”
going from a mostly white West Island high school to
Sanon’s interest in law stems from her lived experience.
the racially diverse Dawson College boosted both her
Her parents hail from Haiti, where her father remains
confidence and her growing interest in the law.
to this day as an advocate for improving education. She
In June, Sanon received good news from Admissions:
was confronted with inequality during her visits to the
she had been accepted. “I didn’t really expect to get in.
country, meeting cousins who lacked the opportunity
I was shocked and excited, and really grateful,” says
to go to school and seeing scenes of youth who did not
the newly minted law student. She now plans to join
have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. “When
the BLSAM so she can pay it forward by giving a hand
I visited Haiti for the first time, I was shocked by the
to students who are qualified, but may not yet imagine
juxtaposition between kids in school uniforms walk-
themselves at Chancellor Day Hall.
ing with their parents, and kids on the side of the road trying to sell bottled water to tourists.”
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