P2P

24 transitioning out of the Jim Crow era had impacted his life. While caring for my father-in-law at the end of his life, he shared similar stories. Usually a quiet man, his words flowed with specificity and intention during these times. He wanted future generations to know about his experiences as a black man in the U.S. who devoted his life to providing for his family. He needed to share his internalized pain and anger with a family member who would ensure his sacrifices, perseverance, and fortitude were not forgotten or made in vain. I recognize how profoundly the love and wisdom passed down from my grandparents and father-in-law shaped my values and approach to life. Their legacy of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity inspires my drive for excellence. Their stories influenced my decision to raise my children and grandchildren to honor our family's past and the truth within their lived present experiences, as well as their responsibility to succeed as they move into the future. HOW DO YOU INSPIRE AND EMPOWER YOUNG LEGAL TECH PROFESSIONALS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS? About six months before a friend and former classmate passed away, she made a birthday post on her granddaughter's social media page that read, "I can't promise to be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise to love you for the rest of mine!" This sentiment reflects the legacy of love that my grandmother instilled in me, which I pass on to my children and grandchildren. Looking to the future, I am committed to guiding my grandchildren in pursuing generative artificial intelligence, improving diversity and inclusion, and addressing implicit bias. I strive to provide examples of ways they can utilize technology to create a more equitable and just world. Continuing the legacy of love, resilience, and excellence that has been passed down to me is a personal mission and professional goal. Mentoring is how I engage with that mission and goal. Mentoring means prioritizing quality time together, investing in the individual, and supporting them on their unique life journey. The best examples of mentoring from my personal life come from my relationships with my grandchildren. With Morghan, our oldest, we focused on improving her reading comprehension skills and cultivating a love for reading. She graduated from high school with a 3.7 GPA, taking all honors classes, and remains an avid reader. Morghan started playing basketball in the fifth grade. Her grandfather and/or I accompanied her to every training session. Even when she could drive her car, she insisted we keep the tradition. She attends college on an academic and athletic scholarship and plays for the women's basketball team. We have weekly FaceTime calls, where her grandfather provides athletic advice, and I serve as her academic mentor. Morghan's roommates and several basketball teammates have adopted me as their "Mimi." Receiving weekend calls from the girls to discuss things happening on campus and the basketball court is pretty standard. With Kenzie, our second grandchild, we followed the same mentoring template: involvement in education, arts, and sports. Mentoring means prioritizing quality time together, investing in the individual, and supporting them on their unique life journey.

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