'Names can be a barrier': Black lawyers tackle inclusion

Kishma Bolaji came to Birmingham from the British Virgin Islands to study to become a lawyer.

"The cultural differences were stark, I felt like an outsider and was the only black student on my university course," she said.

"I had a very strong accent and would get questions about my hair."

Looking for a job threw up more challenges with one interviewer in particular living long in her memory.

"He invited me to the interview because he saw British Vrigin Islands on my CV and wanted to take his wife there for holiday, he didn't ask me about the job."

She cried all the way home.

Bolaji went on to co-found Birmingham Black Lawyers, a network which promotes diversity and inclusion and is now 15 years old.

Black aspiring lawyers continue to face significant barriers in entering the legal profession, senior crown prosecutor Tamina Greaves said.

Difficulties include having good role models, getting work experience and gaining a foot in the door in general.

Greaves, co-chair of the non-profit organisation said there was no shortage of ambition.

"There are also issues within the profession, for example we know those trying to get their foot into the profession, sometimes their name is a barrier," she told BBC WM.

The organisation now has 300 lawyers, students and trainees in its network.

"There are also issues with recruitment practices," Greaves said.

"Sometimes you find that they tend to hire those who they think will fit in within the culture of the firm, somebody to who they can relate and often those from a black background just do not fit."

She said the organisations job was to break down the barriers and create meetings between those trying to get into the profession and those who were the gatekeepers.

"Over the years, we have had tonnes of conversations and actually there is a real commitment from those organisations and firms to improve their diversity figures," she continued.

"They understand the figures are dire and the importance of having a diverse profession."

Someone who also experienced these barriers went training to become a lawyer is co-founder of Birmingham Black Laywers, Kishma Bolaji.

She came to the city from the British Virgin Islands, "the cultural differences were stark, I felt like an outsider and was the only black student on my university course".

Finding other black Caribbean women in the profession had been "amazing", Bolaji said.

"It is a labour of love and we are able to see the impact we are having on young people."

"You can make it in this profession, regardless of how dark your skin is."

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