COB: Blessing, thank you for joining us today.
BMP: Thank you for having me, Christianah. I am excited to share my journey and insights with you.
Background and Early Life
COB: Could you start by sharing a bit about your background and upbringing?
BMP: I was born in Botswana and came to England when I was four. I grew up in Bristol, and I am the first and only lawyer in my family.
Journey to the Bar
COB: Can you tell us about your journey to the Bar so far?
BMP: It has been a long journey. It started in 201; I was called to the Bar in 201,9, and I qualified as a barrister in 2023. Right now, I am starting my practice and learning a lot of law every week.
Inspiration and Motivation
COB: What inspired you to become a barrister?
BMP: The freedom, independence,ce and intellectually demanding nature of the job. I loved studying and homework, and the process of obtaining and sharing knowledge. Being a barrister feels like doing homework and presentations all the time. Freedom was always a priority for me. I enjoy moving between courts and meeting all types of people and Judges.
Founding BATB
COB: What motivated you to start BATB and how has it evolved?
BMP: Accessibility and visibility. I grew up in a generation shaped by bloggers who showed us their lives and interests. They helped many of us, especially black girls, feel seen when mainstream media did not platform us. I recognised the value of creating a platform as a black woman at the Bar and set out to build it. Now BATB is an all-purpose content and educational resource platform for future and practising barristers, and I am proud of how it has grown.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
COB: How do you ensure that BATB's resources are inclusive and accessible?
BMP: I use as many formats as possible. I offer written, audio, and visual resources, plus in-person workshops and events. The goal is that no matter how you learn, there is something for you.
What Makes BATB Unique
COB: What sets BATB apart from other platforms for aspiring barristers?
BMP:is create it because I know firsthand what it is like to pursue a career at the Bar without personal or familial connections. I relied on the internet to research and guide myself before I had mentors or a network. I created everything I offer with that person in mind.
Impact and Testimonials
COB: Can you share a testimonial from someone who has benefited from BATB?
BMP: I consistently receive feedback from Bar Course graduates and aspiring barristers who have benefited from my resources. Most recently, I helped a young man with a brilliant CV but limited experience orally discussing his legal aptitude. After a two-hour session, he transformed his interview performance and felt confident and well prepared for panel questions.
Future Plans
COB: Looking ahead, what are your plans for BATB?
BMP: I am looking forward to centralising the seven years of content and resources I have developed into a unique digital product that will be the best friend of every aspiring and practising barrister. That is all I can say for now.
Speaking Engagements and Personal Brand
COB: How do your speaking engagements contribute to your personal brand?
BMP: They help prospective and existing clients understand how I might perform in court if they instruct me. At the Civil Bar, your audience is usually just the Judge and the Defendant or their Counsel. Clients don't always attend court, so they don't know what you sound like in that environment. Speaking engagements allow me to demonstrate how I articulate myself and showcase my skills. There is also the visibility benefit.
Challenges and Resilience
COB: Could you discuss the challenges you faced in establishing your platform and how you overcame them?
BMP: The main challenge was staying confident in the platform's value despite naysayers who scoffed at the idea of a barrister having social media, especially at the prospective pupil stage. There is a lot of fear at the Bar because power feels like it is in others' hands until you become a tenant. I refuse to live in fear. I believe in God and trust that what is for me will be mine. I stayed true to myself and believed in my brand, and it paid off. BATB is unique and has inspired many people and organisations to take a similar path.
Balancing Creativity and Practice
COB: How do you balance your creative pursuits with a demanding career?
BMP: Creativity is natural to me. When I switch off from work and decompress, ideas and lyrics come to me. When my mind is relaxed, I can get in the zone to shoot content or edit. I also love to freestyle my songs in the studio. I do not like too many rules or structure in my off time. It is the opposite of my work as a barrister, where I am prepared down to the smallest detail.
Advice for Aspiring Barristers
COB: What advice would you give to aspiring barristers looking to build their personal brand?
BMP: Know your why, and read Simon Sinek's books. Developing your personal brand starts with identifying who you are and why you want to do this. What is your overarching purpose, and how does it show up in how you present yourself? There is a lot of introspective work before you are ready to say "hello world, here I am." In addition to your legal career, you are also a Creator and Artist.
Aspirations for the Future
COB: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future?
BMP: To be happy and successful and 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 is based on the Maya Angelou poem. Anyone ambitious who has struggled against doubt and discouragement can relate to it.
COB: Dream holiday destination?BMP: Cape Town, South Africa. I go there often, so right now it is Turks and Caicos.
COB: Which book are you reading right now?BMP: The Manual of Housing Law. My friend Aleema Omotoni just released Everyone's Thinking It, which is on my to‑read list.
COB: Thank you once again for joining us today, Blessing.BMP: Thank you for having me, Christianah. It has been a pleasure.
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