Ghanaian student Hilda Frimpong becomes first black editor of Syracuse Law Review

General news for Monday, March 1, 2021

Source: face2faceafrica.com

03/01/2021

Hilda Frimpong, a second-year law student at Syracuse University College of Law, has been named the new editor-in-chief of the Syracuse Law Review. Born in Ghana and raised in Dallas, Texas, 30-year-old Frimpong becomes the first black person to hold the position.

The Syracuse Law Review, founded in 1949, is one of the prestigious student-managed publications at Syracuse University College of Law. “Its long-standing aim is to provide distinguished scholarly work that addresses timely and intriguing issues within the legal community,” its website states.

Frimpong, a former Miss Ghana USA laureate, will lead the law journal for the 2021-2022 academic year with a predominantly female board of directors. In an interview with Face2Face Africa, Frimpong answered a few questions about herself, what her goals are for the Law Review, and what it means for her to be elected the newspaper’s first black editor.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a second year law student at Syracuse University Law College. I was born in Ghana and grew up in Dallas, Texas. Hilda received her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Texas A&M University. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a business developer for a Fortune 500 company. In Syracuse, I also volunteer for the Cold Case Justice Initiative, Criminal Law Tutor, Research Assistant, and Admissions Office Ambassador. . I am passionate about law and technology and create a space for women of color in this area of ​​law.

2. How did you get involved in the Syracuse Law Review?

There are two ways to conduct a law review in Syracuse. Students who are in the top 10% of their class after the first year are invited. There is also a written competition for those who meet the GPA requirement. However, since grades are not published until after the essay competition, most students end up entering the essay competition. I took part in the writing contest. It was very difficult because the competition is right after the finals and you are mentally exhausted. I really pushed myself to finish the competition despite the psychological challenge.

3. Can you tell us about the process to become editor of Syracuse Law Review?

I was nominated anonymously as a candidate. I knew the importance of the role and therefore hesitated to accept the nomination. I consulted my family, peers and mentors before accepting the application. We held an election and delivered my speech with my plans and goals and the members voted.

4. Please tell us a bit about the mission of the Syracuse Law Review and how that mission fits into the University law school community?

Syracuse Law Review is now in its 72nd year. It was founded in 1949 and it is a scientific journal run and managed by students. We publish legal articles, memos, commentaries, and case summaries for the legal community. Our mission is to provide distinguished scholarly work that addresses timely and intriguing questions within the legal community. To date, even the United States Supreme Court has referred to our post, citing the review in 11 different court opinions. We are very proud of the work we do.

5. What are your specific plans / goals as editor-in-chief?

I have a specific goal for Law Review internally, but as an organization our goal is to increase diversity by actively engaging with the student body and building partnerships with different groups on our campus. The process of reviewing the law is a mystifying process for many students and we want to change that.

6. How do you feel being the first black student to be elected to the first position in the law journal?

I feel happy opening the way for other color students to lead in spaces where they may not see themselves represented. Black lawyers and law students before me laid the groundwork for me and I don’t take that fact for granted.

7. What advice would you give to first-year law students?

One of my favorite teachers often tells us that “knowledge is something we grow in”. I’m really hard on myself and I think in law school we should give ourselves a little grace. I want freshmen to know that struggling with course material is okay. Law school requires you to read and analyze in a new way. It’s okay to ask questions.