ImeIme Umana facts for kids

ImeIme Umana (born 1993) is an American lawyer known for her important work in the legal field. She made history as the first Black woman to lead the Harvard Law Review, a very respected student-run legal magazine. She also worked for top judges like Sonia Sotomayor at the highest court in the United States.

Early Life and School

ImeIme Umana was born in State College, Pennsylvania. Her parents came from Nigeria, specifically from Akwa Ibom State.

She went to high school at Susquehanna Township High School in Harrisburg. After high school, she attended Harvard College. She graduated in 2014 with a special degree. It focused on two subjects: African American studies and Government. Later, she earned a law degree from Harvard. She also got a master's degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. This degree helps people learn how to make good public decisions.

Her Career Journey

While studying for her first degree, ImeIme Umana was very active. She was the president of the Harvard Institute of Politics. This group helps students learn about government and public service. She also worked at the university's Hiphop Archive. This place collects and studies the history of hip-hop music.

She gained experience by working at the Public Defender Service. This office helps people who cannot afford a lawyer. She also led student groups at Harvard. These roles helped her prepare for a career in law.

Leading the Harvard Law Review

On January 29, 2017, ImeIme Umana was chosen for a very important role. She became the president of the Harvard Law Review. This magazine is run by students at Harvard Law School. It publishes articles about legal topics. She was the 131st president and the first Black woman to hold this position.

Many students wanted this job. There were 12 candidates in total. Eight of them were women, and eight were people of color. All candidates had to answer questions and take part in practice editing tasks.

Working with Top Judges

After her time at the Harvard Law Review, Umana worked for important judges. From 2018 to 2019, she was a law clerk for Judge Robert L. Wilkins. He works at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This court hears appeals from lower courts.

Then, from 2020 to 2021, she worked for Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Justice Sotomayor is one of the judges on the Supreme Court of the United States. This is the highest court in the country. Working as a law clerk means helping judges with their research and writing.

Later Work and Impact

After working for the Supreme Court, Umana joined the Public Defender's office in Washington, D.C. She continued to help people who needed legal support.

In 2022, she wrote an article for British Vogue magazine. In her article, she discussed the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Justice Jackson became the first Black woman to join the Supreme Court of the United States. She was also the first former public defender on the court. ImeIme Umana's article highlighted this historic moment.

Awards and Honors

ImeIme Umana has received several awards for her achievements:

• 2017 - African Diaspora Awards
• 2017 - Most Influential People of African Descent Award
• 2019 - Soros Justice Fellows

See also

• List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Seat 3)