23 April 2025 4 minute read
At the root of Spelman College’s mission lies the empowerment of Black women scholars to lead lives of intention, leadership, and civic engagement. Jashonti Wilson, a junior Political Science major on the Pre-Law track, exemplifies this mission with every milestone she reaches—a journey defined by resilience and a future-oriented mindset paired with a deep commitment to justice.
“For me, coming to Spelman was about more than education—it was about finding a place that saw me,” Jashonti asserts. As a first-generation scholar, her choosing Spelman was both personal and spiritual. “I wanted to be somewhere that poured into me intellectually, spiritually, and culturally—and Spelman was that place.”
Deciding on Political Science and the Pre-Law track wasn’t just a choice made on behalf of her academics; it was a calling. Having witnessed how systemic injustice impacted Black and Brown youth in her community, Wilson realized early on that she was not meant to be bystander. “I want to be a Criminal Defense Attorney so I can advocate for those whose voices are often silenced,” she says. “Political Science gives me the tools to understand power. Law gives me the path to challenge it.”
Visiting different law schools and firms was a riveting experience, but what resonated the most with Jashonti wasn’t just the academic rigor or the resources—it was the people. “I was struck by how diverse the paths to becoming an attorney truly are,” she explains. “These visits allowed me to see firsthand the responsibility that comes with holding a law degree, but also the potential for change that legal professionals can harness.”
She came to understand then that her legal journey would be characterized by more than courtroom victories—it would be about advocacy, equity, and restoration. “The more I learned from these experiences, the more I became convinced that I want to blend criminal defense with public defense work,” she says. “The law is not just a tool to navigate—it’s a weapon to challenge injustice and break cycles of oppression. The real power of the law is lies in its ability to restore dignity, give people a chance to rebuild, and ultimately, bring equity where it has been so long denied.”
As a Bonner Scholar, UPS Scholar, and Georgia Merit Scholar, Wilson has not only shone in academic pursuits but also rooted her life in service. With over 1,700 verified community service hours, her impact spans across her mentorship at Finch Elementary, distribution of care packages, feeding the homeless, and volunteering with organizations like Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Food Bank.
This devotion to service prompted her to create The Bernice Foundation, named in honor of her late grandmother. The organization focuses on uplifting and empowering adolescents in marginalized communities through mentorship, education, and advocacy. Its cornerstone program, the Freedom Forward Initiative partners with the DeKalb County Youth Detention Center to support incarcerated youth in obtaining educational credentials and providing mentorship and sponsorship upon release. “This work is about restoring dignity,” Wilson explains. “It’s full circle for me—to be able to give back to the same community that raised me.”
“Without Spelman, I genuinely don’t know where I would be—or who I would be,” she says. Coming in as a first-generation college student and high school Salutatorian, Jashonti was no stranger to standing at the top. But Spelman introduced her to a campus full of equally brilliant Black women. “It didn’t intimidate me—it inspired me,” she says. “It showed me I wasn’t alone in my excellence.”
Spelman’s rigorous academics and her unwavering circle of support empowered her to grow resilient, grit, and self-compassion. “My professors didn’t coddle me, but they believed in me. They reminded me that pressure creates diamonds,” she says. “Spelman didn’t just prepare me for the world—it helped me shape how I want to impact it.”
“What grounds me is knowing that I’m not just doing this for myself—I’m doing it for the little Black girls watching me,” Wilson says. Balancing rigorous academics, leadership responsibilities, and a strong dedication to community service isn’t easy, but she finds strength in her purpose. “My community keeps me motivated. My ancestors keep me rooted. My faith keeps me centered.”
She turns to her faith and her mother, a preacher, during difficult moments. “Sometimes, one simple prayer from her is all it takes to shift my spirit and remind me that I’m covered, chosen, and capable.”
To other Spelman students aspiring to enter law or start nonprofits, Wilson's counsel is clear-cut: “Don’t wait until you feel fully ready—start with what you have, where you are, and who you are.” Whether pursuing law or launching a nonprofit, she advises young leaders to use their lived experiences and passion for justice guide them. “Every great movement starts with a spark. Be that spark.”
And most importantly, she urges students to be gentle with themselves and lean on the strength of their Spelman sisterhood: “Your impact isn’t measured by titles or accolades—it’s measured by the lives you touch and the legacy you leave behind.”
When Wilson leaves Spelman, she wants her legacy to endure beyond formal recognition and awards. “I want my legacy to live in the quiet moments when a young Black girl is sitting in her dorm, overwhelmed, questioning if she’s enough—and then remembers that someone before her made it possible for her to even be here,” she says.
“I want her to know that she doesn’t have to shrink, doesn’t have to carry her burdens alone, and doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. I want her to know that being a Black woman is not a barrier—it’s a superpower.”
As she continues her journey toward law school and building a life anchored in advocacy and service, and faith, Jashonti Wilson stands as a living testament to what happens when where excellence, purpose, and heart meet.