The legal profession in Canada has long struggled to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves.
For Black high school students in Toronto, the idea of attending law school or becoming a lawyer can feel distant - not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because the steps to get there are often unclear or unsupported.
Raise the Black Bar, a partnership between Osgoode Hall Law School, the Black Law Students' Association (BLSA) and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), is working to make those steps clearer and more achievable - one student, one mentor and one mock trial at a time.
"Raise the Black Bar is designed to provide early exposure to the legal profession, demystify the law school application process and build networks of support that many Black students have not had access to in the past," explains Marcos Ramos Jr., manager of admissions and student financial services at Osgoode.
The program works directly with TDSB educators to reach students who might not otherwise see a path to law school, connecting them with Black-identifying Osgoode students, faculty and alumni who share their experiences and aspirations.
Mentorship is the foundation of Raise the Black Bar. BLSA members volunteer to guide high school participants, offering both academic insight and personal support. "Our mentorship model is built on representation and relatability," Ramos says. "Mentors often share their own journeys - including the challenges they've faced and how they've overcome them - which helps students feel seen and understood."
These relationships often outlast official events, creating lasting bonds and a sense of possibility.
With this support, students gain the confidence to step into new roles. The program's hands-on activities - mock trials, debate-style workshops and tours of courthouses and Bay Street law firms - are designed to make the law tangible and accessible. Students do not just learn about the legal world; they experience it first-hand, building skills in networking, leadership and professional communication.
Each event is crafted to help participants imagine themselves in spaces they may have assumed were not for them - spaces where, as Ramos notes, "the presence of Black lawyers, Osgoode students and community members is a powerful form of representation. By being welcomed into legal spaces, students are shown that they have a place here - not only symbolically, but in practice."
This year, Raise the Black Bar delivered three cornerstone events. The Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers conference welcomed students to Osgoode for panels with Black law students and lawyers, a LinkedIn workshop, professional headshots, a negotiation activity and mentorship pairings. The Intellectual Property Mock Trial allowed students to argue a fictional case based on a real-world issue, with support from Osgoode volunteers. The culminating courthouse and firm tours included a visit with Justice Lori Anne Thomas, an Osgoode graduate, interactive sessions at Blakes, a Canadian institution with deep roots and international reach, and Dentons, recognized as the world's largest law firm by head count. The sessions took place in Toronto's legal district, where participants connected directly with Black legal professionals.
For many participants, the most powerful impact of Raise the Black Bar is the realization that the legal profession is within reach. Feedback from students and families has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Students often express that the program changed their perception of what's possible, while educators highlight the impact of seeing their students engaged, affirmed and excited about their futures," Ramos says. "That's the real measure of success - when students can look at the legal profession and see a place for themselves."
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter
