From the age of 11, double-alumna Amber Mannings dreamed of being an attorney. Despite facing challenge after challenge, including homelessness as a teen, she graduated from FIU Law in 2022, earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Now, she is starting her own law practice, realizing her childhood dream.
Mannings says this would not have been possible without the community she found at FIU’s Fostering Panther Pride program. She shares this accomplishment with the many mentors who supported her throughout her journey.
“I could never say that I had no help. It was a community effort,” Mannings said, “I’m a product of programs…of people who created opportunities for students that come from my background.”
Fostering Panther Pride
During her senior year of high school, Mannings’s life took an unexpected turn. She experienced homelessness, spending nights in her car. Despite this life-altering challenge, her determination never wavered. Unwilling to give up her dreams of practicing law, she completed high school and forged her own path to college.
“I was admitted [to FIU] through the Fostering Panther Pride (FPP) program, which was designed to facilitate educational success for students who come from challenging backgrounds.” Mannings shared, “I was lucky enough to be part of a program that covered my tuition, housing, and similar resources that I was able to take advantage of.”
FPP is designed to aid former foster youth and students experiencing homelessness. Not only do they provide emotional support for qualifying students as they transition to life at FIU but also advise them on how to find much needed scholarship opportunities throughout their college career.
Scholarships and grants catered to her life experience kept Mannings afloat as she pursued a BA in Political Science at the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The support made it possible for her to focus solely on academics, internships, and on-campus activities rather than worrying about fulfilling her basic needs.
“[Scholarships] affected my college experience tremendously because I didn’t have to worry about some of the basic things that students should not have to worry about,” Mannings said.
Additionally, she felt more empowered to succeed after having the weight of housing and financial instability taken off her shoulders.
“I felt like I was on equal footing with my classmates.” Mannings said, “It gave me a decent shot at becoming a lawyer and finishing school.”
As an undergrad, she was able to join student organizations, like FIU’s chapter of the NAACP and political science honor society (Pi Sigma Alpha Tau Rho). Through the NAACP, she participated in community work, like helping restore the historic Hampton House in Liberty City. She also maintained a spot on the Dean’s List from the start of her time at FIU and graduated with a 3.9 GPA.
Joining FIU Law
After earning her BA in political science in the fall of 2019, she decided to go straight to law school at Howard University. However, due to a sudden family emergency, she decided it would be better to stay in South Florida.
It was during this time period that she was approached by the Associate Dean for Enrollment at FIU Law, Michelle Mason. Aware of Mannings’s story, she offered her a spot at FIU Law, including the opportunity to waive her seat deposit.
“I think she had done her homework in terms of who I was and the amazing things that I did, as well as the adversity and the challenges,” Mannings said. “That was a pivotal moment for me. My need for support or financial support didn't go away just because I was going to law school… She gave me every opportunity, every resource, to put me in that classroom.”
She also received guidance from FPP, who helped her find funding through local non-profit organizations. Thanks to this funding, she was able to take the necessary exams and apply for a spot at FIU without having to worry about paying the fees. Once she was accepted and began her time at FIU Law, grants also helped her cover the costs of books and supplies.
This enabled her to focus on her studies and pursue internship and fellowship opportunities with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s office, the Legal Services of Greater Miami, and more. When it came time to take the Florida Bar, she passed it on her first attempt.
Mannings graduated from FIU Law in spring 2022, leaving the university with a hard-earned JD, valuable work experience, life-long mentors, and a 10-month-old daughter.
“That was my proudest moment—becoming a mom amidst all the stuff that I was dealing with.” Mannings said, “It showed resilience. It helped me become a woman, and it grew me into the person I am today.”
Inspired to Give Back
Upon finishing school, Mannings moved up in the legal world, practicing at a large law firm. Though she gained valuable experience and new mentors, she felt the strain of corporate America. Eventually, this inspired her next venture—her own law practice, AJ Law Firm, P.A.
Above all, Mannings wants to do work she’s passionate about. To her, this means being able to give back to her community and uplift the dreams of young people just like her.
She hopes that she will serve those in her community through her work and give disadvantaged students opportunities to grow at her firm. She also plans to pursue her own community outreach projects, starting with becoming a spokesperson for FPP.
“The overall goal is to continue bridging the gap between students of my background,” Mannings said. “It may not be to get them to achieve success in law, it might be in medicine or sports, but I want to use my law firm to serve as a bridge between those who have dreams, goals, and aspirations, but don’t have the right tools.”