More Than Two Percent
Honoring the Legacy of Black Women in Law
From utmost concern We’ve made it an assignment To watch eagles’ nests It’s a daunting feeling knowing you’re living through historic times The world’s changing every day in ways That yesterday wouldn’t tell And yesterday’s embellished in fantasies, like “Wasn’t yesterday so wonderful, Why can’t we go back to yesterday?” Because right now are frightful times But this isn’t new to us, is it? We’ve faced barriers from the beginning Powers, laws, and violences And look at the room we are in now We know that history is pushed forward by our own resilience That we can build from the foundation of a few solid rocks We are here because we know Of what just five percent can do What just two percent can do Two percent that has broken barriers And proven mettle and proven worthiness Made pathways for generations We can find pride in what two percent has done On the bench and in boardrooms and in public offices But also, in small businesses, in schools, and private practices That hold us by the hand and help us through the worst of days That build communities and shape neighborhoods. That make a world of difference With small numbers This two percent Through faithful service, virtue, and radiance Become symbols of liberty, of justice, of spirit Like eagles…, like eagles Each individual is precious to us Their growth and survival having meaning greater than comprehension Each of their victories are victories for us all And when we see them flying so far into the sky We stop and watch This is a special occasion This is pride in our America Today we celebrate two percent, Black Women lawyers who, by their efforts, by their expertise Are so much more than two percent And still growing by number and by station Embodying the resilience that this nation needs to reach tomorrow It’s a hopeful feeling knowing you’re living through historic times Seeing eagles birthed and fly
This poem was written for and recited at the Cleveland State University College of Law, Black Law Student Association’s 2026 banquet on March 21, 2026.