In class, we have discussed the idea(l) of practicing law that is meaningful for us. For many of the black (and minority) students, the definition of “meaningful” takes on a different role. While I do not speak for every person of color attending CLS, I believe that there are common threads between many of our experiences. Being a person of color, the intention of having a ‘meaningful’ legal career means having to balance the tangible effects of having a JD such a wealth creation and financial freedom (e.g paying one debt, helping one’s family) with the elusive consequences of belonging to a new category of being a member of an Ivy League law school. There is a certain weight that black lawyers carry because they have one foot in their communities and the other in a firm. This paper will explore the benefits and struggles that minority lawyers have (and like me, will have) as we try balance the advancement of our careers while presenting themselves as ‘black’ lawyers.