The Road to Esquire

Discover The Road to Esquire

About the Visionary Author

Ritha Pierre is a powerful force across law, media, and advocacy. With over a decade of legal experience, she currently serves as General Counsel for a large nonprofit human services organization in Brooklyn, New York. Known for her strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to justice, Ritha is instrumental in navigating complex legal landscapes, promoting equity, and driving meaningful organizational change.

Her professional journey spans a wide range of impactful roles, including Associate General Counsel for SEIU Local 32BJ—one of the nation’s largest labor unions—where she fought tirelessly for the rights and dignity of working people. She has also served as Associate Labor Counsel and Director of Human Resources at Highgate and began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted cases involving domestic violence, elder abuse, and general crimes.

Ritha holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law, a Master of Science in Bioethics from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from St. John’s University, where she minored in Africana Studies.

In addition to her legal career, Ritha is a storyteller and visionary. She is the founder of Black Ivy Media, a platform committed to elevating stories across the Black Diaspora. She is also the creator and host of the Freeda’s World podcast—a space where Black women professionals engage in real conversations about identity, mental wellness, and the pursuit of balance.

An advocate for community and cultural empowerment, Ritha co-founded Freda’s House Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the people of Baradères, Haiti, through education, resources, and sustainable programs.

She resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she shares her home with her son, Jadiah, and her beloved cat, Chester McChesterton III.

About The Road to Esquire

What is The Road to Esquire?

The Road to Esquire is a groundbreaking anthology series featuring the unfiltered voices of Black women attorneys. Through personal essays and reflections, each volume sheds light on the complexities of navigating legal careers while balancing identity, ambition, family, and legacy. From courtroom victories to deeply human moments, these stories honor the resilience, vulnerability, and power of Black women in law.

Why This Project Matters

Black women are among the most underrepresented and misunderstood voices in the legal profession. This project was created to build community, affirm shared experiences, and disrupt the silence around the challenges and triumphs Black women lawyers face—especially those who are also mothers, caregivers, and community leaders. It’s not just a book. It’s a movement that affirms: we are not alone, and our stories matter.

Our Mission

To elevate, document, and celebrate the multidimensional lives of Black women attorneys—past, present, and future. The Road to Esquire exists to create space for storytelling that empowers, educates, and inspires, while fostering connection, healing, and representation.