Anthony Black arrived at Northeastern with a focus: creating change at the intersection of law, policy and public health. Through their co-ops, Anthony explored how public health experts and lawyers collaborate to improve individual and population health. “l approached planning my co-ops strategically. I knew that ultimately I wanted to do LGBTQ+ rights in my home state of Florida,” says Anthony, who earned a Master of Health Science from Johns Hopkins prior to attending law school. “The most powerful co-op experiences I had were the ones where I worked directly with clients. I really treasure that they’re trusting and putting their faith in you to represent their best interests.” 

As a law student, Anthony was deeply involved with the Queer Caucus and the Latin American Law Students Association as well as the Student Bar Association. “Law school is challenging. I think being able to be in a room full of people who saw me and recognized me really made a difference in how I was able to show up day to day,” says Anthony. 

Now, as a fellow with Southern Legal Counsel’s Transgender Rights Initiative, Anthony is expanding legal services for transgender adults in Florida. “I’m hoping to be not just an attorney but more of a social determinants of health (SDOH) legal navigator, to help people through legal processes that impact their health and well-being,” says Anthony, who received the 2025 American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’s annual LGBTQ+ Public Interest Scholarship Award. “I’m a firm believer that everyone has a right to health, to live authentically, to have documentation that affirms who they are and to just be able to enjoy life.”