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A formerly incarcerated single mom in New York recently went viral on TikTok for her emotional reaction to passing the bar exam on her first try. In the video, Afrika Owes is seen checking her results online with her brother and best friend supporting her. The 30-year-old Fordham Law School student expresses her joy at the good news with tears, shouting, "I passed! I passed!"
Owes, who had a challenging past involving being incarcerated at 17 for gang-related charges, shared her dream of becoming an attorney, inspired by her late mother's advocacy for their Harlem community. Despite her setbacks, she pursued her life-long dream with determination, supported by her family and community.
The pass rate for the New York bar exam was only 42%, making Owes' achievement noteworthy. She plans to pursue tax law and a judicial clerkship after graduating, and she hopes that her story might encourage others to pursue a career in law or otherwise follow their own dreams.
