With a focus on supporting historically under-resourced and marginalized communities in all facets of his life, Avion Silas is making good on what he has learned during his first year at The University of Tulsa’s College of Law.
Silas, who grew up in foster care in Michigan after relocating from Wisconsin, served as a nonprofit administrator and gained experience as a State Farm insurance agent in Michigan. Silas was proud of the initiatives the company put forward to support people in need.
“They were doing some good things with the community, I think, in terms of diversity and marginalized populations,” he said. “I appreciated the way State Farm understood the intersection between diverse perspectives and market share. Their investment in me taught me a lot about the changing concept of ‘doing good business’ and how that means representing your customers in all aspects. People spend money where they feel valued and a lack of diversity in today’s market means a lack of relevance and affects earning potential.”
In December 2023, Silas left State Farm and began studying for the LSAT to apply for law school. UTulsa initially wasn’t even on his list of schools to consider. Talking with a friend who lives in Tulsa and through a Law School Admission Council webforum in which he was able to interact with UTulsa staff, he learned about the opportunities available to him.
“I was introduced to B.C. Franklin and everything that he’s done here in Tulsa and the B.C. Franklin Legal Clinic at UTulsa,” Silas said. “After being welcomed so warmly, I knew it was a perfect fit for me. The clinic is an exciting opportunity to give back while working toward becoming a lawyer who is a pillar in the community.”
He also recalled his impression that the streets were empty on a Sunday morning, before he realized many people were at church.
“We all have some sort of belief, whether that’s a do-good belief in the next human or a belief in a higher power,” Silas said. “The lawyer I aspire to be is inseparable from my faith as a Christian. Tulsa appeals to me because, regardless of faith, the religious currents promote a sense of belonging and pride. While I love Grand Rapids, Tulsa appeals to younger folks who want to start a family rooted in community. Faith is the basis of this for me, and even though that’s not a universal thing in Tulsa, I feel better connected to people of all faiths..”
Silas is already making a name for himself at UTulsa Law and within the greater legal profession.
This summer, he will intern with U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason Robertson in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Silas has also received the Crowe Dunlevy Diversity Scholarship and the McKinley Rowan Scholarship Award from the Association of Black Lawyers in Oklahoma City.
“The Association of Black Lawyers had their annual gala, and that was such a key moment, because that was during election time,” he said. “For me, it was an invaluable experience to be able to just see the community. They are all the way in Oklahoma City, which is pretty far from us, but I think that just goes to show how tight knit the community is. Alternatively, Crowe is right here in Tulsa and investing in the future. This sets them apart and is a big reason why they are and will continue to be a leading firm in Tulsa.”
Kevinn Matthews (J.D. ’98), an attorney at Moyers Martin, met with Silas at the UTulsa Law Professional Development Office before he even started law school. “To see him get an internship with Judge Robertson is very rewarding,” Matthews said. “Because what that leads me to believe is the advice that he’s getting – not just from me, but from the Professional Development Office – is paying off.”