Danyelle Honoré ’25 has an unquestionable sense of purpose. The first-year law student and Marshall-Motley Scholar is passionate about social justice, civil rights, and activism. Her law school experiences continue to shape her ambitions for a more equitable and empowered future. 

For Honoré, giving back is much more than just an occasional act; it’s a guiding principle.

A Foundation of Service

Born and raised in Virginia, Honoré became passionate about social justice at an early age, specifically focusing on the Black experience. 

“I often found myself speaking out against injustices, whether that be in the classroom, at city council, school board meetings, or on the front lines of protests,” she said. 

When Honoré studied African American and African Studies at the University of Virginia, she continued to develop as an advocate, serving in numerous roles in various organizations, including the NAACP UVA chapter. 

“Once I got to college, I started to research the cross-generational effects of parental incarceration and my interests began to lie at the intersections of the education and criminal justice system,” she said. 

Her next stop — Harvard, where she received a Master’s in Education, and continued to build her leadership skills within the Harvard Graduate School of Education Student Council. After graduating, Honoré began narrowing down her search for law schools. 

As a Marshall-Motley Scholarship recipient, Honoré would be provided a full ride to the law school of her choice that she was accepted to. The Marshall-Motley Scholarship Program is dedicated to supporting the next wave of civil rights lawyers in the South. Danyelle received this scholarship due to her community involvement as founder and CEO of the Honoré Foundation, where she conducts community service projects, as well as for her dedication to confronting racism and racial injustice in the South. Despite being accepted to Harvard Law School, Danyelle began looking at schools beyond her alma maters and Northeast, leading her to Texas A&M School of Law.

Answering The Call

Texas A&M Law became a strong prospect for Honoré due to its unique positioning as a law school. She was drawn to the law school’s upward trajectory, with rapid development and well-rounded faculty. She was interested in being a part of the Aggie Network and further shaping her own path. 

“From day one, the administration made it clear that they were invested in my individual success, and they made an effort to make me feel at home with their unique and personable style,” Honoré said. “Seeing their dream for the law school to grow and come to life in a way that most law schools have never seen is definitely something I wanted to be a part of.”

She also favored the size, amenities, and professional resources that Fort Worth provides. The city’s location and airport access also allowed her to easily visit her nearby family in Louisiana and Virginia.

“The location of the law school is ideal for any law student as it is near courts and that provides ample opportunities for direct observation of litigation and court procedures, networking, and [nearby] internship/externship potential,” she said. 

Ultimately, her faith led her to choose Texas A&M Law — the go-to practice she leaned on countless times before. The same experience happened years prior to her decision to attend UVA as an undergraduate. 

“Looking back, I honestly could not have made a better decision for me,” she said. “How everything played out in the enrollment process shows me that Texas A&M is exactly where God led me, and that is why I am here.”

Moving Forward

Despite her excitement to start law school, Honoré’s toughest test yet took place before she ever stepped into a law school classroom. Her beloved grandfather passed away two days before her law school orientation started.

“I literally came to law school with just a suitcase because my grandfather’s passing threw everything off as far as moving from Virginia to Texas,” she said. “I am not sure that any other school would have given me the same level of support that Texas A&M Law did. They did everything they could to make my transition smoother, which truly exceeded my expectations.” 

With her first semester under her belt, Honoré is making the most of her law school experience. In addition to attending several local legal events, she’s also joined the Texas A&M Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Women of Color Collective, Speaker’s Bureau, Student Bar Association, and her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

In moments of reflection, she leans on her late grandfather’s advice of being present, pacing herself, and celebrating the small wins. Her charge to serve the community at large was never too far away. 

“Ultimately, I want to leave this world better than it was when I entered it,” she said. “There are various inequities that exist in the world, and I will have achieved my goal if I can use my legal degree to address those inequities head-on.”