Joseline Hardrick, Founder and President of Diversity Access Pipeline, Inc. the nonprofit behind Journey to Esquire®️was selected as a Class XI, Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Fellow. 

Here's a description of the program-
"The Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy is a multi-session training program designed to help a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers become better leaders. Each year a select group of participants are selected from applications submitted to The Florida Bar to become Academy Fellows.
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During their one-year term, Academy Fellows follow a curriculum tailored to enhance their professional development, knowledge base and experience, including attending The Florida Bar events and special educational programs. Academy Fellows are given the opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of the Bar and their role in the legal profession, while enhancing their personal leadership skills."

The program is very selective and has produced many leaders in the Florida Bar. Launching the Academy was the brainchild of Eugene Pettis, the first African-American president of The Florida Bar (2013-2014). He started the program to increase diversity within the Florida Bar leadership. 
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Congratulations Joseline!

Visit this link to read the contest rules and enter your submission today!

Our 2021 Annual report is ready! We had a great year and looking forward to meting our Class of 2022. Check it out!

Looking to Give Back to the Legal Community?
Sign up to be a volunteer
Want to mentor law students, develop your public speaking skills and share your wisdom from your years of practice, looking to give back and help others the way you were helped?
Then volunteer with Journey to Esquire®- we are looking for lawyers to acts as mentors for our scholars and interns, board members, and speakers for our training modules. The work you do with our students will leave a tremendous impact that lasts for years!
Don’ take my word for it, just listen to our students in the Class of 2021.
Sign up to Join the Board
​Want to help, but can’t make the time commitment? Here are some other ideas:
On a weekly basis- visit at least one social media page and like all posts, then share a post with a comment. Those actions increase the number of views. "@JourneytoEsquire" The goal is to send individuals to view our website, to help with ad revenue and get more interest in donating and volunteering.
Small donations help a lot
Start a Facebook fundraiser (no processing fees so we keep 100% of the amount raised). Make sure to share a personal story to get people interested, make a small donation to jump-start the campaign ($5), and encourage your friends to give any amount.
Promote merchandise store
We are marketing the merchandise store. Please like and share on social.
Podcast
Listen to the episodes (also helps with ad revenue) like share, subscribe on Spotify, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast, Apple iTunes, Amazon and Audible.
Support our YouTube Channels
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCISwG1e_nvIfsvDZzx2j0Mg
General Information: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaY_7gWRZVV2zzFaOpKqTDA
Thanks for your continued help and support!

Apply TODAY! 
We are looking for law students from Cooley Law School Tampa Bay Campus and Stetson University College of Law who want to become lawyers who lead, mentor and inspire.
Does that sound like you or someone you know?
Then put in your application today!
Deadline is July 30, 2021.
Scholars: https://forms.gle/QhCoRUtV6kkQHLsW8   
Interns: https://forms.gle/dqpK1rgPoAFZZaPM7

“In celebration of Law Day (5/1/21) we will conduct a Writing and Art Competition to
acknowledge the contributions of people of color in the law and create interest in school-aged children in pursuing careers in the law.
In 1958, the President designated May 1st as Law Day, which is meant to celebrate and strengthen the American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. 

The theme this year was  “I May Be The First, But I Won’t Be the Last.” In recent years there have been several individuals who have become the “first” in their gender, race, or ethnicity to hold a certain position, including elected positions like President, Vice-President, Presidential Nominee for a Major Political Party, Supreme Court Justice, all of whom are lawyers.

​The Contest was open to all middle school students grades 6th - 8th at Franklin or Ferrell Middle Schools in Hillsborough County, Florida.
We received several submissions but the following are the winners who all submitted a Fictional Short Story. The winners will receive gift cards in the mail.

Winners- 1st place: Julian Becerril
2nd place: Angel Medina
3rd place: William Redner

Honorable Mention: Gavin King

🎉We are so excited that Judge Mary S. Scriven will deliver the keynote speech for the Journey to Esquire® Graduation Presentations on April 24 at 10 am. You will also hear from our Scholars. And a special thanks to our sponsors. Sign up here: https://calendly.com/journeytoesquirecalendar/journey-to-esquire-2021-graduation​ 

We have released our 2020 Annual Report highlighting the achievements of all of our programs. Check it out!