By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Danajha Tate’s father went to prison when she was in first grade, leaving her mother a single parent raising four children.
“She was struggling to raise two boys alone as a woman and when I was in middle school, I watched the cycle repeat as my older brother fell victim to the system,” Tate said. “Also, I’ve seen several relatives and peers go down the same road.
“My dad’s experience with the court system, my experiences, my environment and my mom’s struggle as a single parent has ignited my interest in going to law school so I can advocate for people who come from similar circumstances.”
Becoming a lawyer has been a dream since Tate was eight years old.
“Being able to witness and observe first-hand the disproportionate impacts the system has on minorities fueled my passion of wanting to be an attorney,” she said. “As an attorney, I’ll address the unique and distinct needs of my community by advocating for people who lack resources, opportunities, and come from similar backgrounds as me.” Tate is specifically interested in criminal justice reform.
“I don’t want the same cycle to continue to repeat,” she said.“The criminal justice system is, in many ways, a trap for Black and Brown communities that strip away opportunities and perpetuates generational trauma. I’ve seen how it creates a vicious cycle, particularly for Black men, where they are misguided, disproportionately targeted — that is, racially profiled — incarcerated, and given little opportunity to break free from the system once they are caught in it.
Instead of focusing on rehabilitation, Tate said the country has “built a system that prioritizes punishment, making it harder for those who’ve been incarcerated to reintegrate into society. As a result, entire generations have been left behind.”
With her long-term goal of attending law school, Tate majored in political science/pre-law from Western Illinois University.
“I knew it was a versatile degree, and I knew having a better understanding of the public policy process and the different laws that govern us would be useful since policies help us address different social issues,” she said.
With diversity playing a crucial role in her choice of law school, she picked the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where she is now in her 2L year.
“I wanted to attend a school where I would feel supported, seen, and valued — not just as a student, but as an individual with a unique perspective,” she said.
Tate came across Detroit Mercy Law while researching on the LSAC website, and when she learned the first Black woman appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court graduated from UDM, she was intrigued — and was further drawn to the fact the dean is also a Black woman.
“This representation meant a lot to me, and it inspired me to apply,” Tate said. “What I enjoy most about UDM Law is the supportive and welcoming environment. The school makes a consistent effort to ensure that all students feel included.”
Tate also has a particular interest in family law and civil law.
“I want to be an advocate for others and create more equitable outcomes for communities that have been historically marginalized or disadvantaged by the system,” she said. “By being involved in family law, I can help ensure people’s voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their families receive the support they need.
“Civil law allows me to challenge systemic inequalities and to stand up for individuals who may otherwise feel powerless to seek justice. In civil law, particularly in cases involving discrimination, housing rights, or employment law, the ability to fight for justice and equality is equally important.”
A judicial internship this past summer with Judge Denise Page Hood at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan exceeded Tate’s expectations.
“Before my internship, I only ever had experience with a typical 9 to 5 or work study. Interning for Judge Hood was a very enriching experience,” she said. “I was able to closely observe her and ask her questions. I gained new insights on how the legal process is carried out at a federal level. “
The current secretary of the Black Law Students Association, Tate enjoys helping organize productive and useful events meant to spread social awareness, advance Black law students, or give back to the community.
“It feels good being a part of a community where you know others can relate to you and are striving for the same thing as you, which is to make a difference,” she said.
Tate’s career goals include serving as a defense attorney, one day owning her own law firm, and running for office and/or the bench.
“Overall, I plan on taking my experiences and advocating for and representing those who lack fair representation,” she said.. “As a future attorney, I will offer different, and often missing perspectives that will help those who have been and still are being overlooked in society.
“I aspire to give back to my community, and I’m committed to building my legal career so I have the ability to create change within our legal system. I want to contribute to the well-being of our society by using my law degree to promote justice through fair legal procedures since adequate legal aid and other services remain out of reach for the majority of minorities.”
Tate volunteered this past summer at a couple of expungement fairs throughout Michigan, becoming more familiar with expungement law, and assisting eligible applicants with filling out expungement application forms.
She grew up in Quincy, Ill. and graduated from Quincy High School. Since her teens, she has spent summers with her father in Rock Island, Ill. and she now resides in Detroit.
The second of eight children, Tate aims to be a role model and set a good example for her younger siblings, cousins, and others.
And as a first-generation college and law student, she notes it’s not just about earning a degree —“It’s about breaking barriers and creating opportunities that didn’t exist for my family before.
“Being a first-generation college student feels good, and even though sometimes I feel under pressure, it makes me more determined.”
Legal News
Danajha Tate’s father went to prison when she was in first grade, leaving her mother a single parent raising four children.
“She was struggling to raise two boys alone as a woman and when I was in middle school, I watched the cycle repeat as my older brother fell victim to the system,” Tate said. “Also, I’ve seen several relatives and peers go down the same road.
“My dad’s experience with the court system, my experiences, my environment and my mom’s struggle as a single parent has ignited my interest in going to law school so I can advocate for people who come from similar circumstances.”
Becoming a lawyer has been a dream since Tate was eight years old.
“Being able to witness and observe first-hand the disproportionate impacts the system has on minorities fueled my passion of wanting to be an attorney,” she said. “As an attorney, I’ll address the unique and distinct needs of my community by advocating for people who lack resources, opportunities, and come from similar backgrounds as me.” Tate is specifically interested in criminal justice reform.
“I don’t want the same cycle to continue to repeat,” she said.“The criminal justice system is, in many ways, a trap for Black and Brown communities that strip away opportunities and perpetuates generational trauma. I’ve seen how it creates a vicious cycle, particularly for Black men, where they are misguided, disproportionately targeted — that is, racially profiled — incarcerated, and given little opportunity to break free from the system once they are caught in it.
Instead of focusing on rehabilitation, Tate said the country has “built a system that prioritizes punishment, making it harder for those who’ve been incarcerated to reintegrate into society. As a result, entire generations have been left behind.”
With her long-term goal of attending law school, Tate majored in political science/pre-law from Western Illinois University.
“I knew it was a versatile degree, and I knew having a better understanding of the public policy process and the different laws that govern us would be useful since policies help us address different social issues,” she said.
With diversity playing a crucial role in her choice of law school, she picked the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where she is now in her 2L year.
“I wanted to attend a school where I would feel supported, seen, and valued — not just as a student, but as an individual with a unique perspective,” she said.
Tate came across Detroit Mercy Law while researching on the LSAC website, and when she learned the first Black woman appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court graduated from UDM, she was intrigued — and was further drawn to the fact the dean is also a Black woman.
“This representation meant a lot to me, and it inspired me to apply,” Tate said. “What I enjoy most about UDM Law is the supportive and welcoming environment. The school makes a consistent effort to ensure that all students feel included.”
Tate also has a particular interest in family law and civil law.
“I want to be an advocate for others and create more equitable outcomes for communities that have been historically marginalized or disadvantaged by the system,” she said. “By being involved in family law, I can help ensure people’s voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their families receive the support they need.
“Civil law allows me to challenge systemic inequalities and to stand up for individuals who may otherwise feel powerless to seek justice. In civil law, particularly in cases involving discrimination, housing rights, or employment law, the ability to fight for justice and equality is equally important.”
A judicial internship this past summer with Judge Denise Page Hood at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan exceeded Tate’s expectations.
“Before my internship, I only ever had experience with a typical 9 to 5 or work study. Interning for Judge Hood was a very enriching experience,” she said. “I was able to closely observe her and ask her questions. I gained new insights on how the legal process is carried out at a federal level. “
The current secretary of the Black Law Students Association, Tate enjoys helping organize productive and useful events meant to spread social awareness, advance Black law students, or give back to the community.
“It feels good being a part of a community where you know others can relate to you and are striving for the same thing as you, which is to make a difference,” she said.
Tate’s career goals include serving as a defense attorney, one day owning her own law firm, and running for office and/or the bench.
“Overall, I plan on taking my experiences and advocating for and representing those who lack fair representation,” she said.. “As a future attorney, I will offer different, and often missing perspectives that will help those who have been and still are being overlooked in society.
“I aspire to give back to my community, and I’m committed to building my legal career so I have the ability to create change within our legal system. I want to contribute to the well-being of our society by using my law degree to promote justice through fair legal procedures since adequate legal aid and other services remain out of reach for the majority of minorities.”
Tate volunteered this past summer at a couple of expungement fairs throughout Michigan, becoming more familiar with expungement law, and assisting eligible applicants with filling out expungement application forms.
She grew up in Quincy, Ill. and graduated from Quincy High School. Since her teens, she has spent summers with her father in Rock Island, Ill. and she now resides in Detroit.
The second of eight children, Tate aims to be a role model and set a good example for her younger siblings, cousins, and others.
And as a first-generation college and law student, she notes it’s not just about earning a degree —“It’s about breaking barriers and creating opportunities that didn’t exist for my family before.
“Being a first-generation college student feels good, and even though sometimes I feel under pressure, it makes me more determined.”
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