Four Fordham Law students were recognized for their exceptional academic accomplishments and commitment to diversity and inclusion as part of the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program.
Ginikachi Okeke ’27, Adetoun Adelana ’27, Davianni Polanco Santana ’27, and Ume Kalsoom ’27 were among 45 students selected from law schools across the country for the program, established in 2013 with a mission to “nurture and support the next generation of women of color attorneys and infuse the pipeline with diverse women of color law students who are empowered to tackle the rigors of the legal profession.” The one-year intensive program prepares women of color to enter the legal profession by providing academic support, professional development, and mentorship.
“I am incredibly excited that four of our talented Fordham Law students have been named DAPP National Scholars. This remarkable program opens doors to valuable academic resources, professional growth, mentorship, and networking opportunities, along with the potential for summer employment,” said Bryna Beckler-Knoll, director of career planning and diversity in the Law School’s Career Planning Center. “Congratulations to Adetoun Adelana, Ume Kalsoom, Davianni Polanco, and Ginikachi Okeke on earning this incredible distinction. I am confident they will seize every opportunity and represent Fordham Law with excellence.”
Read more about each student below.
Adetoun Adelana is a 1L representative for the Fordham Business Law Association and the Black Law Students Association. Adelana obtained her undergraduate degree in finance and hopes to work in corporate law when she graduates. “Financial literacy, especially within my community, is essential yet often underserved,” she said. “I want to leverage my education and experience to not only excel in the field but also to mentor young girls and peers like myself, empowering them to achieve more and build lasting success.”
Ume Kalsoom is a 1L representative for the Muslim Law Students Association at Fordham Law, and is a member of Fordham Law Women, the Fordham Law Women of Color Collective, and Fordham First Generation Students. She is also a Realizing Excellence and Access in the Law Scholar. “I’m interested in corporate law but am keeping my options open throughout law school,” said Kalsoom about her future plans.
Ginikachi Okeke is a 1L representative for the Black Law Students Association and a volunteer for the International Refugee Assistance Project’s Employment Authorization Document Clinic, where she assists newly arrived migrants in New York City to obtain legal work status. “I’m still exploring specialties but am particularly interested in transactional work,” said Okeke. “I also aim to maintain a pro bono practice to support justice-involved youth at the intersection of the criminal and educational systems.”
Davianni Polanco Santana is a 1L representative for the Fordham Business Law Association, the Latin American Law Students Association, Fordham Law Women, and the Black Law Students Association. Before coming to Fordham, Santana obtained a law degree in the Dominican Republic and was the recipient of a Dominican Bar Association Scholarship in 2024. “As a foreign-trained attorney from the Dominican Republic, I aspire to use my legal background to pursue a career in international and cross-border transactions,” said Santana.