Every year on January 24, the world observes International Day of Education—a global celebration of the vital role that learning plays in peace, development, and human dignity.

This special day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 through Resolution 73/25, recognizing education as a fundamental human right, a public good, and a shared responsibility essential to building just and equitable societies.

In honor of National Mentorship Month, we are proud to celebrate one of our inspiring mentorship matches from the 2025 Lead Her Rise™ Cohort. ⚖️

Meet Ashley Smith, a senior at UNC–Chapel Hill, double majoring in Information Science & Media & Journalism, and Jewel Crouch, a J.D. candidate at Suffolk University Law School. Both are deeply passionate about law, justice, and creating meaningful impact in their communities.

At Empower Her Rise, inc. we are proud to introduce our Campus Ambassadors, the next generation of leaders, advocates, and changemakers.

Today, we shine a spotlight on Nykeria Hopson, a junior Legal Communications major in the BA/JD program at Howard University, proudly from Milwaukee, WI.

Nykeria aspires to become a criminal attorney, and her commitment to leadership, service, and justice is already making an impact on her campus and community. ⚖️

We are proud to shine a spotlight on Sara, a remarkable mentee in the Lead Her Rise Mentorship Program. A Middle Eastern UCLA graduate and aspiring attorney, Sara’s journey is driven by her unwavering passion for social justice, advocacy, and empowering marginalized communities.

As a first-generation college graduate with a degree in Anthropology, Sara has witnessed firsthand how systemic barriers and limited access to legal resources can profoundly impact families.

At Empower Her Rise, we believe in the transformative power of mentorship to guide, inspire, and equip the next generation of legal professionals. This year, we are proud to celebrate one of our remarkable mentorship matches from the 2025 cohort: Jordan Porter and Oluwatobi “Tobi” Ajimoko.

Jordan, a Criminal Justice major at North Carolina A&T, and Tobi, a J.D. candidate at Howard University School of Law, bring passion, dedication, and vision to their mentorship journey. Their shared interests in civil rights, intellectual property law, and expanding equity in their communities make this pairing particularly impactful.

National Mentorship Month is a reminder of the power of guidance, access, and representation. At Empower Her Rise, mentorship is the foundation of our work. Connecting women of color with the support, resources, and community they need to pursue law school.

Dariana Mallet, a Detroit native and rising junior at Delaware State University, is the inaugural recipient of The Rise Scholarship. A passionate leader and future criminal defense attorney, Dariana embodies resilience, academic excellence, and a commitment to uplifting others. Through mentorship and leadership opportunities, she is rising and helping others rise with her.

Meet Amaya Banks, the visionary behind Empower Her Rise, Inc. A first-generation college graduate from Detroit, Amaya’s journey sparked a movement rooted in community, action, and empowerment. Through mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy, she is building a space where women of color can rise—together.

Akheena Farrior Parcak is a junior at Arizona State University majoring in Nursing with a minor in Public Service and Public Policy. She is dedicated to bridging the gap between her passion for healthcare and her commitment to meaningful societal impact.

Akheena Farrior Parcak leads with purpose and compassion as the Director of Community Empowerment. Her efforts center on bridging advocacy with community engagement, advancing the mission of Empower Her Rise to uplift and support underrepresented women.

Poised to begin her journey at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and a proud graduate of Wayne State University, Laila brings academic excellence and service-driven leadership . Shaped in part by her involvement in community organizations .

As Director of Programming and Outreach for Empower Her Rise, Inc., Laila Newton leads initiatives designed to empower young women through mentorship, education, and community engagement. In this role, she works collaboratively to create impactful programs and cultivate meaningful partnerships that support the organization’s mission to inspire confidence, leadership, and growth.

A U.S. Air Force veteran and Criminal Justice major at Michigan State University, she brings lived experience, policy expertise, and a deep passion for civic advocacy. Her leadership is rooted in equity, service, and strategic engagement that empowers marginalized communities and drives meaningful change.

Meet Sydni King, our Director of Policy & Membership Engagement at Empower Her Rise, Inc. A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, current Legislative Intern for a Michigan State Senator, and LSAC Plus Scholar, Sydni is a rising changemaker in law and public policy.

Currently, a rising 2L at Howard University School of Law, Makayla holds a strong academic and professional foundation in Sports Management and Marketing from Indiana University. Her journey is guided by a mission to advocate for athletes especially those navigating the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and collegiate representation.

Our Change Maker: Keyoncee – Program & Outreach Intern
Keyoncee serves as the Program & Outreach Intern at Empower Her Rise. A Psychology major at Michigan State University, she is dedicated to designing impactful, culturally responsive programs that uplift young women in underserved communities. Her work reflects a deep commitment to advocacy, equity, and meaningful engagement.