Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
For Jasmine Cleveland, a 3L at Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County and one of the most affordable in California, the path to law school started with something simple, and even a little humorous. “My grandma told me at a young age, ‘You like to argue, so you might as well get paid for it,’” she recalls with a smile.
But what began as a lighthearted comment turned out to be something much bigger for her. At a young age, Jasmine realized she had a natural instinct to stand up for others, especially those who felt unheard. “I’ve always loved advocating for people,” she says. “I never really had someone stand up for me. I had to learn through a lot of tough experiences. So I felt like it was a higher calling to go into a field where I could actually hear people out and help find solutions.”
Today, as president of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Jasmine is putting that calling into action through leadership, mentorship, and community-building, while preparing for a future as a prosecutor.
Leading with Pride and Purpose
Jasmine’s decision to step into the role of BLSA president was deep and personal. For her, leadership is about honoring the legacy of those who came before her and creating opportunities for those who will come next. “I have a lot of pride in my community,” she says. “I believe we come from a line of power and royalty. A lot of people before me, like my grandparents, my great-grandparents, went through so much just so I could have an education.” For Jasmine, becoming president of BLSA was a way of showing her ancestors that what they did to pave the way for the road she’s on wasn’t in vain, and to show her appreciation for all that hard work.
That sense of gratitude, and responsibility, is what fuels Jasmine’s approach to leadership. She sees representation as something that sends an empowering message to others who are in doubt. “Representation is really important,” she explains. “If you see someone who looks like you in a higher position, it shows you that you can do it, too. You’re here for a reason.”
For Jasmine, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the achievements of those who came before her and the possibilities those stories create for the future. “It means progress and change,” she says. “There were people before me who probably didn’t even think February would be labeled Black History Month. It’s a time to learn our history, to understand what we’ve gone through, and to celebrate not just the struggles, but everything we’ve overcome.” That perspective continues to shape the way she leads as president of BLSA, and the kind of lawyer she is working to become.
Creating a Safe Space for Every Student
One of the accomplishments Jasmine is most proud of during her time as president of BLSA is the safe, welcoming environment she helped build. “It’s hard to find a place where people of all backgrounds can come in and feel like they can say how they really feel without criticism,” she explains.
She says BLSA is about giving students a supportive community where they can lean on each other through the pressures of law school. “I always tell our members to treat this club like we’re your older siblings or just someone you can lean on,” she says. “We’re a pretty diverse group, and being able to welcome people from different cultural backgrounds and experiences is our biggest accomplishment.”
Through events, speakers, and networking opportunities, BLSA also connects students with Black attorneys, judges, and legal professionals to show them what’s possible through representation. “If they can do it, you can do it,” Jasmine says. “They’ve set the path, and you can follow it. We’re not as rare as people think. We’re out here, and we’re making it happen.”
Choosing Western State: A Community That Has Your Back
When she was choosing a law school, Jasmine says Western State stood out for one main reason: the people. “It was the community,” she says. “I’d heard about other schools being really cutthroat. I didn’t want to go somewhere where if I asked for help, someone would give me the wrong answer just to get ahead.”
At the ABA-accredited institution, she found a supportive, tight-knit community where students genuinely want each other to succeed. “I wanted to go somewhere where people had my back, where they were interested in my success,” she says. “Here, you can trust people and still have fun at the end of the day.”
That sense of community became especially meaningful during challenging moments in her life, including when she suffered the loss of a family member in exam period. “During exams, people I didn’t even know would come up to me and ask, ‘Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?’” she says. “When I lost a family member, my friends here made sure I could grieve and still stay focused instead of just giving up.”
A Humbling and Transformative Experience
Jasmine describes her law school journey in one word: humbling. “I came in thinking I had everything figured out,” she laughs. “First year, I hit a brick wall. I realized I wasn’t on top of the world, and I had a lot more to learn.” But she turned that realization into a turning point rather than a setback. Instead of seeing it as failure, Jasmine saw it as growth. “It’s a good feeling to know that there’s still more for you to learn and become,” she explains.
Through her leadership roles and academic challenges, Jasmine says she has grown into a stronger, more confident advocate. “If you’re going to truly advocate for someone, you have to do it zealously,” she states. “You can’t be afraid of other people’s opinions. You have to stand firm and be confident enough to carry that out, regardless of the backlash.”
Advice for Future Black Law Students
Jasmine’s message to Black students considering law school is simple and powerful. “Just do it,” she says. “If you’re thinking about it, there’s a reason. Remember where you come from. There were people before you who took even greater risks and faced more adversity. If they could create change, you can come to law school and do the same thing.”
She also encourages students to make connections and seek mentorship whenever possible because there’s a lot they can learn from others who have been in their shoes. “Learn from them. We all face obstacles. What’s one more? Face the fear. It pays off later.”
Looking ahead, Jasmine hopes to make a lasting impact through legal outcomes, but also, through empathy and understanding. “I want a community where we can see different sides without clashing, where people aren’t afraid to be themselves or to say, ‘I’ve gone through something, and I need help,’” she says. “We need to be more empathetic towards each other.” It’s a vision shaped by her own experiences and strengthened by her time at Western State.
Life Beyond the Law
Outside of her studies and leadership roles, Jasmine enjoys the beach, dancing, and creative hobbies like diamond art, where she carefully places tiny gems to create shimmering images. “If I could be a mermaid in another lifetime, I would,” she laughs.
She’s also involved with the R.T. Fields Bar Association in San Bernardino County, which is named after Western State alumnus and Hall of Famer Justice Richard T. Fields (Class of 1983), the first African-American jurist in Riverside County. The experience has already introduced her to influential legal leaders. “The networking alone is worth it,” she says. “Without that association, I would never have had the chance to meet people at that level. It opens doors and creates phenomenal connections.”
Building a Legacy of Support and Strength
As BLSA president, Jasmine has focused on building a community where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. It’s a mission rooted in pride, shaped by personal experience, and carried forward with determination.
Her advice to fellow students? “Just breathe. Take it one day at a time.” If her journey at Western State is any indication, that steady, determined mindset, along with courage, empathy, and leadership, will carry her far and inspire others to follow the same path.
