A New York mom's video that shows her checking her bar exam results is making people cry. Afrika Owes, 30, filmed a video as she checked her exam results then shared it on TikTok, writing, "POV: You're a formerly incarcerated single mom who passed the bar early on the first try."
In the video, Afrika finds out that she passed her exam and starts crying. The Fordham University School of Law hopes her story reminds people "that everybody makes mistakes," she told Good Morning America.
Afrika told the outlet that she has "always dreamed of going to law school," but when she was 17 years old, she was charged due to being involved in a gang. The New York Times reported in 2011 that she faced felony charges of conspiracy and weapons possession.
She was sentenced as a youthful offender, and served six months before spending a few years on probation, according to GMA.
Afrika took the February 2024 bar exam in New York. According to the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the overall pass rate for the February 2024 New York bar exam was 42%.
"I want my story to be a testament to that, for communities as well, that everybody makes mistakes," Afrika told GMA.
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Numerous TikTokers congratulated Afrika, with several noting that her emotional reaction to her accomplishment also made them cry.
"The immediate tears for someone I don't even know!!!" one TikTok user wrote. "CONGRATULATIONS!!!"
One person noted how Afrika's journey "should let everybody walking this earth know that you can still make your dreams a reality. I am so happy and proud of this lady, she kept focus and did it."
