Scholars of Color- Sussethe Renteria
What is Scholars of Color?
It is a platform in which scholars of color are purposefully celebrated. It’s a space where scholars of color are showcased front and center. It is a digital space where we feel empowered and resilient. Let us get to know each other. Let us cheer each other on AND show the world what we have to offer.
Let us now welcome Sussethe Renteria to the Scholars of Color space!
Name: Sussethe Renteria
Location: Chicago, Illinoia
Gender Pronouns: she/her/hers
What's your current occupation? (i.e. Student, Scientist, Coach, In transition, etc.): Directing Attorney
Without positions or titles, how would you describe yourself?: Carefree, giving.
What are you passionate about?: I am passionate about giving back to my Latinx community in all ways possible. I mentor high school, college, and law students. My community members trust the services that I provide and reach out to me for most of their legal concerns so being able to assist my community is a gratifying reward. My mom has taught me to always help if I am ever in a position to do so. My people mean so much to me. I come from a place of relatable experiences that enable me to understand certain factors. My most prized work includes being able to represent individuals in both immigration court and criminal court.
What does the representation of Scholars of Color mean to you?: Scholars of Color represents to me that we are seen and heard. That our hard work is recognized and that our roots unite us and motivate us to go to higher places that make our ancestors' sacrifice worth it.
If people are interested in getting connected to you, how can they?: sussy@renterialegal.com
Anything else you would like us to know?: I attended law school as a single mom of two (at the time they were seven and three years old). I studied and took the bar exam, and passed it, all while still being a single mom. My overall goal is to help Latina teen moms get into college and eventually consider and attend law school.
I went to law school because I saw how the police mistreated my people and I wanted to create a solution, which in turn led me to criminal defense work. Once I realized that a lot more of my people had documentation status issues, I decided to also begin immigration defense work, which is imperative to out community.
Thank you Sussethe for sharing space with us!
Stay tuned everyone for more Scholars of Color profiles. Interested in being showcased yourself? Please email the Scholars of Color team at scholarsofcolor@reclaimingyourhappiness.com and we will get back to you shortly.
