On today’s show, I’m joined by Octavia Carson — an attorney, advocate, and the founder of The Black Bar Applicant Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing Black representation in the legal profession by helping aspiring lawyers overcome the financial barriers of bar admission.
A first-generation attorney and valedictorian of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Octavia created the Fund after witnessing firsthand how systemic inequities and economic hardship prevent many talented Black graduates from becoming licensed attorneys. Through her leadership, the organization has provided critical financial and emotional support for bar applicants across the country—covering exam fees, living expenses, and mentorship during one of the most challenging phases of their legal journey.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Octavia is the principal attorney of Carson Legal Strategies PLLC, where she helps creatives and entrepreneurs protect their brands through trademarks, contracts, and business formation. Her mission across all of her work is to create access, equity, and empowerment in spaces where Black professionals have historically been excluded.
When she’s not advocating for the next generation of Black attorneys, Octavia enjoys traveling—having visited over 40 countries—and uses her global experiences to inspire her approach to justice, creativity, and leadership.
In this episode, We’ll talk about her personal journey, why the bar exam is more than just a test, and how her nonprofit is changing lives one applicant at a time.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Octavia Carson and Her Mission
02:52 The Bar Exam: Myths and Realities
05:47 Octavia's Journey to Law and Advocacy
08:33 Law School Experience During the Pandemic
11:34 The Movement for Diploma Privilege
14:36 Researching the Bar Exam's Racist History
17:37 The Impact of COVID-19 on Legal Education
20:22 Bar Exam Costs and Accessibility Issues
27:19 The Costly Journey to Becoming an Attorney
29:54 Advocating for Diploma Privilege
33:20 The Push for Bar Exam Reform
35:58 Founding the Black Bar Applicant Fund
39:54 Impact Stories from the Fund
45:54 Policy Changes for a Fairer Legal System
49:43 Making Law School Accessible
52:45 Supporting the Mission of Change
Resources
To learn more, visit blackbarapplicantfund.org, or email support@blackbarapplicantfund.org. You can also follow them on social media at @blackbarapplicantfund.