Porter Hedges Announces Inaugural Recipient of Scholarship at Texas Southern University

The Firm is pleased to announce that Janiya Chapman is the inaugural recipient of its Diversity Scholarship and Pre-Law Mentorship Program at Texas Southern University (TSU), one of the nation’s largest historically black colleges and universities.

Janiya is a rising junior majoring in political science from Rancho Cucamonga, California. She is a member of the university’s volleyball team and aspires to attend law school following graduation at TSU.

As a scholarship recipient, Janiya will receive a $10,000 academic scholarship and will participate in a 9-month mentorship program, which includes sessions with Porter Hedges attorneys and a mentorship paring with a third-year law student from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at TSU. The scholarship was first announced in April 2021.

“I want to thank Porter Hedges LLP for its support and commitment to diversity and racial equity in the legal profession. The selection of Ms. Janiya Chapman as the inaugural recipient of the Porter Hedges Diversity Scholarship and Pre-Law Mentorship Program at Texas Southern University represents the commitment of our two organizations in identifying and preparing those who will contribute to and advance a diverse and inclusive legal profession benefitting all society,” said Joan Bullock, Dean of Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.

The Porter Hedges Diversity Scholarship and Pre-Law Mentorship Program will be awarded annually to an undergraduate student at TSU who is interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession upon graduation, giving a talented student a real-world look at the practice of law and the many ways in which lawyers serve and contribute to their communities.

“Porter Hedges is proud to partner with a local HBCU to create this opportunity that will directly impact the future of a well-deserving student. We are committed to develop programs in our firm and Houston that foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community,” said Joyce Kao Soliman, Chair of the Firm’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee.

For more information about diversity initiatives at Porter Hedges, visit: https://www.porterhedges.com/about-diversity.