Talia Scott is an alumna of The Young Women’s Leadership School and a Student Leadership Network (Em)Power Breakfast Honoree in 2023.
By Alix Strauss
Originally published in the New York Times on February 4, 2024
Talia Scott attends New York University’s business school, in between working out and helping other Black women get started with legal careers.
In 2020, as Black Lives Matter protests swept the country, she founded the Legally BLK Fund, a nonprofit that helps Black women with fees for law school and the LSAT, and provides access to consulting services and mentorships. “I wanted to help other Black women have an easier, better experience than I had,” she said. “Most people are like, ‘It’s crazy you’re doing all of this,’ but they’re not surprised knowing who I am. I’m surpassing society’s expectations of me.”
ME TIME If I’m out of food, I’ll go to Trader Joe’s because they have great products at good prices and I’m trying to save money and eat healthier. It’s a seven-minute walk on Spring Street, which gives me a chance to de-stress. It feels like me time. I’ll listen to a podcast; right now it’s “Balanced Black Girl,” which is about navigating life as a young Black woman, taking care of yourself and building community.
VIRTUAL THERAPY Back home, I shower, dress and get ready for my 10 a.m. virtual therapy appointment. It took time to find a younger, Black woman who matched my personality and understood the grind culture. I found her on Therapy for Black Girls, which helps you match with Black therapists in your area.
STREAMING CHURCH I’ll drink water or a Synergy strawberry lemonade kombucha and watch Transformation Church that livestreams on YouTube, which I watch on my TV. They’re based in Tulsa, Okla. I love the pastor Mike Todd. The community and culture is amazing. There’s a lot of pop culture references so it’s not old and dated. It makes me feel seen.
SCHOOLWORK From 3 to 5 p.m. I do business school homework. Right now that includes prepping for informational coffee chat interviews with different bankers because I’m applying for an investment banking position for summer 2024. Then I go on a silent Zoom I created with a bunch of law school friends. There are 25 of us who hop on at different times. It gives me a sense of community and makes me feel not alone in the stress.
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