Hailing from Harlem, Talia credits her background as a driving force behind her education and aspirations. The child of a once undocumented immigrant, she grew up with an intimate understanding of how the law impacts the lives of women, minorities and immigrants. Over time, she came to recognize that the law could also empower her to be an advocate and change agent. A Questbridge Scholar who graduated from Haverford College, she returned to New York City to work as a corporate paralegal and is now pursuing a joint degree in law and business at New York University School of Law and Stern School of Business.

When she applied to law school, Talia was struck by how expensive and exclusive the admissions process was. She quickly realized that she needed mentors, test tutors, money and the right know-how about law school and the application process. This formed the basis of Legally BLK Fund, a non-profit that addresses common barriers that disproportionately affect Black women in their journey to law school. Started with an Instagram post, it aims to diversify the legal field and increase the representation of Black women in law. Since 2020, Talia’s organization has provided over $60K in funding to Legally BLK Fund Scholars. 

These funds cover law school application fees, LSAT fees, access to consulting services and mentors. The organization also provides a roadmap of the application process for women applying to law school and recently launched the EmpowerHer Pre-Law Institute to explore high-school-aged young women of color in NYC to career opportunities in law. Talia wants to improve the law by changing who gets to uphold it. Outside of the funding she’s already provided, Legally BLK Fund’s long-term goal is to ensure Black women are in more positions to shape how the law is set, interpreted, and applied in NYC and beyond.