The 2022-2023 Executive Board Welcomes You!
President: Caira Watson
Chief of Staff: Kristen Love
Internal Vice President: Esosa Asemota
External Vice President: Jordan Berry
Director of Programming: Adesulu Adewole
Director of Finance: Aliyah Berry
Director of Academic Affairs: Analese Bridges
BGPSA Liason/Interim Director of Communications: Shirley Garrett
OFFICER BIOGRAPHIES
Caira Watson — President
Caira is a current 2L. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied Educational Studies and the Interdisciplinary Program in Urban Studies.
At Duke Law, Caira is involved in BLSA and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Caira spent her 1L summer as a Judicial Extern in the Northern District of Illinois and as a Summer Associate at Sidley in Chicago. Next summer, Caira will be returning to Sidley. To relax, Caira loves to run, lift weights, and listen to podcasts.
As BLSA’s President, Caira strives to improve the Black student experience at Duke Law by facilitating community. She hopes to facilitate community with our current students, alum, prospective students, and the Durham community.
Kristen Love — Chief of Staff
Kristen is a current 2L. She graduated from Howard University, where she studied Economics and Political Science. After graduating, Kristen worked as a management consultant and participated in the SEO Fellowship.
At Duke Law, Kristen is involved in BLSA, the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum, and the Mock Trial Board. Kirsten spent her 1L summer as a Summer Associate at Hogan Lovells in D.C. and with Ford Motor Company as part of the Move the Needle program. Next summer, Kristen will be returning to Hogan Lovells. In her free time, Kristen loves to explore Raleigh and Durham for the best places to eat, watch niche reality TV shows, and hopefully learn enough about Duke basketball to qualify as a true “fan.”
As BLSA’s Chief of Staff, Kristen is focused on facilitating the work of the rest of the board and ensuring the broader BLSA membership is aware of all of the opportunities available to them as members of our community.
Esosa Asemota — Internal Vice President
Esosa is a current 2L. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, where she studied Nutrition. After graduating, Esos worked as a college advisor.
At Duke Law, Esosa is involved in BLSA, Tricky Dick, and the Duke Law Music Association. Esosa spent her 1L summer as a Summer Associate at Jones Day in New York. Next summer, Esosa will be working as a summer Associate at Freshfields in their New York office. In her free time, Esosa enjoys singing, playing piano and making jokes.
As BLSA’s Internal Vice President, Esosa strives to build community.
Jordan Berry — External Vice President
Jordan is a current 2L. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studied Public Policy.
At Duke Law, Jordan is involved in BLSA, the Womxn of Color Collective, and the Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law. Jordan spent her 1L summer as a Legal Intern at the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission. Next summer, Jordan will be working in DC as a Summer Associate at Winston & Strawn. Jordan likes to try new foods, travel, read and play with her puppy in her free time.
As BLSA’s External Vice President, Jordan’s goals are to continue BLSA’s outstanding professional and social programming and to foster a sense of community for all Black law students at Duke.
Adesule Adewole — Director of Programming
Sulu is a current 2L. He graduated from the University of Virginia, majoring in Public Policy and African American Studies. After graduating, Sulu worked as a 3rd-grade math teacher in Miami, Florida (with Teach for America), and then he was commissioned as an engineer officer in the Army Reserve.
At Duke Law, Sulu is involved in BLSA, the National Security Law Society, and intramural soccer. Sulu spent his 1L summer as a Legal Intern at Duke Management Company (DUMAC). Next summer, Sulu will be working in DC as a Summer Associate at Dechert. To relax, Sulu likes to be active (soccer and tennis are his top two). Sulu also enjoys playing Warzone with his friends.
As BLSA’s Director of Programming, Sulu’s goals are to plan events that will benefit all members of BLSA. He also wants to put an emphasis on non-academic events as it is essential to have balance in the events students can attend.
Aliyah Berry — Director of Finance
Aliyah is a current 2L. She graduated from Georgia State University where she studied Philosophy and Political Science.
At Duke Law, Aliyah is involved in BLSA, Guardian ad Litem, the Mock Trial Board, the Womxn of Color Collective, and the Health Care Planning Project. Aliyah spent her 1L summer as a Summer Clerk at Cranfill Sumner in Raleigh. Next summer, Aliyah plans to intern with a family law/estate planning firm in Atlanta. To relax, Aliyah enjoys reading and watching tv/movies.
As BLSA’s Director of Finance, Aliyah strives to ensure that BLSA has the necessary funding for all events throughout the year and to create a comprehensive budget template that may be used in future years.
Analese Bridges — Director of Academic Affairs
Analese is a current 2L. She graduated from Duke University, where she studied Political Science. After graduating, Analese worked as a structured finance legal analyst with Goldman Sachs.
At Duke Law, Analese is involved in BLSA, the Coalition Against Gendered Violence, Moot Court, and Mock Trial. Analese spent her 1L summer at Siemens and as a 1L Scholar at Latham & Watkins in New York. Next summer, Analese will split her summer between Covington & Burling in D.C. and Latham & Watkins in New York. To relax, Analese enjoys watching musical theater and reality TV.
As BLSA’s Director of Academic Affairs, Analese’s goal is to provide resources to students that can better inform their academic and career path.
Shirely Garrett — Black Graduate and Professional Student Association Liaison/Interim Director of Communications
Shirley Garret is a current 2L. She graduated from High Point University, where she studied Political Science and International Relations. After graduating, Shirley worked as an elections intern at Democracy Fund in DC and as a fellow at Reality Ministries in Durham.
At Duke Law, Shirley is involved in BLSA and the Immigrant Rights Clinic. Shirley spent her 1L summer as a Summer Associate at Dechert in Charlotte. Next summer, Shirley will be returning to Dechert. To relax, Shirley enjoys gardening, farming, and visiting Charlotte.
As BLSA’s BGPSA Liaison, Shirley strives to facilitate events that will allow BLSA to connect with Black students in other graduate programs.