Anthony Walker Foundation boost for legal trio

The Anthony Walker Foundation for fighting racism is sponsoring three outstanding students on their way to becoming solicitors.

Final-year LLB Law students Tia Mohammed and Larisa Ewemande, and LLB Law and Criminal Justice student Angela Soares (LLB Law & CJ) have been awarded the prestigious postgraduate scholarship from the Anthony Walker Bursary Scheme.

The ambitious trio will have half their fees paid for a further year of study and find doors opened in the legal world as they bid to break the glass ceiling into a still predominantly white profession.

Dan Silverstone Director, School of Justice Studies and School of Law, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Tia, Larisa and Angela and one they fully deserve.

“At LJMU we are committed to making the legal profession more representative and supporting our students to become successful in their career goals.”

The positive action scheme, ring-fenced to students from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background, is a collaboration between the Anthony Walker Foundation, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the National Black Crown Prosecution Association (NBCPA), to address the under representation of ethnic minority individuals. 

As well as financial help, the students will receive mentorship from NBCPA and CPS, access to NBCPA initiatives, and board meeting attendance. It also offers shadowing, court observation, bespoke development courses, and CPS career pathway guidance, including the Legal Trainee Scheme.

Angela, who went to Rochdale Sixth Form College, said: “This bursary is more than just financial assistance; it’s testament to perseverance, allowing me to continue my education and hopefully inspire others who may be facing similar obstacles. I believe that is what truly matters, not just overcoming difficulties but showing others that they can too.”

Larisa, a graduate of North Liverpool Academy Sixth Form, Everton, before her LJMU degree said she was honoured and grateful to LJMU’s ‘Student Futures’ team: “This recognition not only inspires me to achieve my educational goals but also motivates me to uplift others in my community. I am committed to using this opportunity to create a positive impact and to honour the legacy of Anthony Walker.” 

Tia said: “This means more than financial support, it is a chance to honour Anthony Walker and contribute to his long-standing legacy. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Linda Graham and the Careers Employability Team in not only encouraging me to apply but in supporting me throughout the application process. I am excited to embark on this new journey and looking forward to the opportunities that await me”. 

Linda Graham, LJMU Student Futures Career and Employability Consultant, said: I am delighted for Tia, Angela and Larisa as securing this award is a highly competitive and rigorous process’.

-Anthony Walker was a black British student who was murdered in an unprovoked street attack in Huyton, Merseyside in 2005, while in his second year of A-Levels.