Trailblazing at the Bar: Blessing Mukosha Park’s Story

By Christianah Omobosola Babajide.

Reading time: seven minutes.

COB: Today, I’m thrilled to be in conversation with Blessing Mukosha Park (BMP), founder of BLESSING AT THE BAR (BATB), a pioneering platform designed to empower aspiring barristers. Blessing, thank you for joining us today.

BMP: Thank you for having me, Christianah. I’m excited to share my journey and insights with you.

COB: Let’s dive in. Could you start by sharing a bit about your background and upbringing?

BMP: I was born in Botswana, and I came to England when I was four. I grew up in Bristol and I am the first and only Lawyer in my family.

COB: Can you tell us about your journey to the Bar so far?

BMP: It’s been a long journey! It started in 2017, I was called to the Bar in 2019 and I qualified as a barrister in 2023. Right now I am just getting my practice started and learning lots of law every single week!  

COB: What inspired you to become a barrister?

BMP: The freedom, independence and intellectually demanding nature of the job. I loved studying and homework, and the process of obtaining and sharing knowledge. I feel like being a barrister is just doing homework and presentations all the time. I think freedom was always a priority for me – I simply could never see myself working in a massive corporation behind a desk. I like roaming around different courts and meeting all types of people and Judges. 

COB: What motivated you to start BATB and how it has evolved over time?

BMP: Accessibility and visibility. I come from a generation that grew up with amazing bloggers showing us their lives and interests. It helped a lot of us, especially black girls, be seen where mainstream media didn’t really platform us. I recognised the value in a platform as a black woman at the Bar and set out to create that. Now I am proud to say that BATB is an all-purpose content and educational resource platform and business for barristers (future and practising) and I look forward to seeing how it grows. 

COB: What types of resources and events does BATB offer to aspiring barristers?

BMP: We have study.blessingatthebar.com which contains study resources for the Bar Course, and pupillage application and interview resources. I also offer professional career coaching for applications and interviews, working one on one to help with delivery and selling yourself well. 

COB: How do you ensure that the resources provided by BATB are inclusive and accessible to a diverse audience?

BMP: I try to use as many forms of media as possible. I have written, audio and visual resources as well as offering in person workshops and events. The goal is that no matter how you learn and digest information there is something for you. 

COB: What sets BATB apart from other platforms or resources available to aspiring barristers?

BMP: It’s created by someone who knows first hand what it’s like to pursue a career at the Bar without any personal or familial connections. I looked to the internet to research and guide myself before I had any mentors or network to speak of. Everything I offer on BATB is created with that person in mind. 

COB: Can you share a testimonial from an individual who has benefited from BATB?

BMP: I am pleased to say I consistently get feedback from Bar Course graduates and aspiring barristers who have benefited from my resources. I most recently helped a young man with a brilliant CV but little experience orally discussing his legal experience and aptitude for a career at the Bar. After a two-hour session he had completely transformed his initially weak interview performance, reporting that he now felt confident and well prepared when answering questions from a panel. 

COB: Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future of BATB?

BMP: I am looking forward to centralising the seven years of content and resources I have developed so far into a unique digital product that will be the best friend of every aspiring and practising barrister. That’s all I can say for now! 

COB: How does your speaking engagements contribute to establishing your personal brand?

BMP: I think it helps prospective and existing clients get a taste of how I might perform in court if they chose to instruct me. When you’re at the Civil Bar, you don’t have an audience of more than the Judge, the Defendant/their Counsel. Clients don’t always attend court, so they don’t actually know what you sound like in there! This gives me a way to show the way I speak and articulate myself in front of an audience and do a lot to sell my skills. There’s also the obvious visibility benefit too! 

COB: Could you discuss the challenges you faced in establishing your platform and how you overcame them?

BMP: The main challenge I had was being confident in the value of my platform against the (many) naysayers at the Bar who scoffed at the idea of a barrister having social media, let alone one at the prospective pupil stage. There is so much fear at the Bar, because the power is in the hands of so many other people until you’re a tenant (or at least it feels that way). I refuse to live my life in fear though, and I believe in God so I know that what is for me will be mine. I don’t need to be concerned with what people think they would do in my shoes because they aren’t me. I stayed true to myself and believed in my brand and it paid off. BATB is a completely unique platform, and I can see that it has inspired a lot of other people and organisations to take a similar path. Knowing I have been so influential upon how the legal industry approaches social media is a great feeling. 

COB: How do you balance your creative pursuits with a demanding career?

BMP: Being creative is as natural to me as breathing, so it’s not something I ‘try’ to do. When I have switched off from work and I start decompressing, the creative juices just start flowing. When my body and mind are relaxed, ideas and lyrics just come to me. I can get in the zone to shoot cool content, or be relaxed to just get into the flow of editing. I also love to freestyle my songs when I am in the studio. I don’t like too many rules and too much structure in my off time – I like to stay present and see what naturally comes to be. It’s the exact opposite to my work as a barrister where I am prepared down to the most minute detail. 

COB: What advice would you give to aspiring barristers looking to build their personal brand?

BMP: Know your ‘why’ and read the books by Simon Sinek. Developing your personal brand starts with identifying who you are and why you want to do this. Is there an overarching purpose that you are trying to achieve? What is it and how does it translate in how you present? There will be a lot of introspective research before you’re ready to say “hello world, here I am”. In addition to your legal career, you’re also a Creator and Artist.

COB: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future?

BMP: To be happy and successful and be able to invest in myself and my passions. I have worked very hard to get here and I look forward to enjoying this position for years to come. 

Quick fire questions:

COB: Favourite Nicki Minaj song?

BMP: Still I Rise. It’s based on the Maya Angelou poem. Anyone ambitious who has ever struggled against doubt and discouragement can relate to that song. 

COB: Dream holiday destination?

BMP: Cape Town, South Africa! But I go there a lot, so right now it’s Turks and Caicos.

COB: Which book are you reading right now?

BMP: The Manual of Housing Law – I need to get back to non-fiction. But my friend Aleema Omotoni just released a book ‘Everyone’s Thinking It’ that I have on my to-read list! 

COB: Thank you once again for joining us today, Blessing. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.

BMP: Thank you for having me, Christianah. It’s been a pleasure.

Upcoming event:

Blessing is hosting an event on Saturday 9 March at 11.30am on ‘Selling yourself in Pupillage Interviews’ at 180 House, Strand, London. Learn how to showcase your skills, experience, and personality to stand out from the competition. Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your chances of securing the pupillage of your dreams! Purchase a ticket via Eventbrite here.