Jina Katura Ballenger is a current first-year student at Southwestern Law School in the exclusive SCALE, 2-year accelerated program. Before law school, Jina lived in her hometown, Chicago, where she received her B.A. in TV Writing and Producing at Columbia College Chicago and her M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises at Northwestern University. During her tenure in the creative industry, specializing in TV development, screenwriting, and production, Jina was struck by the glaring disparity in ownership faced by Black creatives. This realization served as a catalyst, sparking her fervent interest in the intersection of entertainment and intellectual property law.

Motivated by a profound passion for advocating for underrepresented creatives, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, Jina aims to leverage her legal expertise to secure rightful ownership and safeguard the artistic endeavors of these individuals. Her mission is to amplify the voices and narratives of marginalized populations, resolutely championing the rights of BIPOC creatives and forging paths toward equitable opportunities in the creative realm.