The Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers awarded scholarships this fall to Areion Gamble, Nicole Opata and Charles Sexton for their achievements in law school and "characteristics that indicate their future success as attorneys."
A trio of accomplished Elon Law students received scholarships this fall at the second annual Scholarship and Recognition Gala hosted by the Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers.
Areion Gamble, Creshenole “Nicole” Opata and Charles Sexton were recognized at a Sept. 30 banquet attended by nearly 200 people, including some of the state’s most influential African-American attorneys, as well as Elon Law faculty and staff.
The students’ academic success and professional achievements led association officers to expand this year the number of scholarships it awarded.
“Although our original intent was to award two scholarships, it was difficult to only select two from a slate filled with worthy candidates,” said Gerald L. Walden Jr., assistant general counsel for The Fresh Market Inc. and president of the Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers. “They each had strong GPAs, impressive work experience, and solid writing skills – characteristics that indicate their future success as attorneys.”
Areion Gamble
Class of 2018
Dean’s Fellow & secretary of the National Lawyers Guild at Elon Law
Undergraduate alma mater: University of West Georgia
Major: Political Science
On the award: “African-American attorneys make up 5 percent of all attorneys in the United States. It is an incredible honor that the distinguished attorneys and judges of the Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers chose me as a scholarship recipient.”
Creshenole “Nicole” Opata
Class of December 2017
Business Fellow enrolled in Elon Law’s JD/MBA Program
Undergraduate alma mater: UNC Greensboro|
Major: Accounting
On the award: “It is an honor to be chosen as a recipient by attorneys that I respect and admire and, as a recipient, I hope to inspire others who aspire to enter the legal profession.”
Charles Sexton
Class of 2018
Leadership Fellow & member of the Moot Court Board
Undergraduate Alma Mater: University of Georgia
Major: Political Science
On the award: “This honor cannot be described in one word. I feel grateful standing among other successful law school students who have received this scholarship. It is wonderful to see minorities not only working hard in the legal profession but extending a helping hand to those individuals striving to be a member of the occupation. This honor has given me more inspiration to keep working hard toward my goals.”
The Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers was formed to educate its membership regarding issues in the legal profession; promote fellowship and cooperation among its members; provide a forum for the discussion and advancement of ideas through which the organization may promote the general welfare of the black community; uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession; and promote and defend the general welfare of black lawyers in Greensboro and surrounding communities.
Elon Law was a co-sponsor of the organization’s 2017 gala.