07 February 2025 2 minute read
Azajah Green had her heart set on attending Clark Atlanta University. She had the outfit picked out, the Decision Day photos planned, and a vision for herself as a CAU Panther. But then an unexpected email from Spelman College appeared. “I clicked the link, and balloons popped up,” she remembers. “And I thought — welp, time to return all the CAU gear.”
Spelman had never been part of her plan. Coming from Delaware, a place where stories of students making it to top-tier HBCUs were rare, she had never imagined herself at the number one HBCU. She applied just to see if she could get in; but once she was accepted, a new challenge emerged: figuring out if she truly belonged.
Overcoming Doubt and Finding BelongingDuring her first weeks on campus, Green was filled with self-doubt. She was surrounded by accomplished, driven women who seem to have it all mapped out — future CEOs, politicians and scholars who had been groomed for this moment. She had never even heard of Jack and Jill of America before coming to the campus and for a while, she questioned whether she deserved to be in the same room.
But rather than retreat, Green took control of her journey. Now a junior political science major on the prelaw track, she has carved out of space not just for herself, but for the next generation of Spelman women. She has built an impressive legal résumé, interning with the 21st-century Youth Leadership Movement in Selma, Alabama, and working alongside the first Black woman judge in the state.
Through both experiences, she gained hands-on experience in the legal field, sitting in court rooms, assisting with case research, and engaging directly with the justice system. But her ultimate goal? Becoming an intellectual property attorney and one day, a trademark trial and appeal Judge.
Her impact at Spelman, however, extends far beyond academics, as Green is making waves in student advocacy. As the cofounder and co-president of Black Girls Vote at Spelman, she has worked to mobilize students and ensure that Black women recognize the power of their voice and their vote. She understands the power of representation and is committed to ensuring every student knows it too. With a potential internship at the Georgia Supreme Court on the horizon, Green is living proof of the message she hopes to leave behind . . .
“You belong. You deserve to take up space in these rooms,” says Green. “And you have every right to step into places beyond what you’ve known.”
Azajah Green didn’t just find her place at Spelman – she created it. And you can do the same. Her journey is a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come from breaking free from the limits of your surroundings and daring to step into something bigger. And when the opportunity comes, you don’t just take them, but turn it into undeniable purpose.