include legal matters from municipal court to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia .
Throughout her education , Poore looked to her elementary school principal , Mary C . Snow , as a mentor . Snow was Kanawha County ’ s first Black principal after schools were desegregated . Snow would send her graduation cards with words of encouragement through law school and continuing through Poore ’ s political career until Snow ’ s passing in 2011 .
In Poore ’ s legal career , Irene Berger , a federal judge for the U . S . District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia , has been a mentor . Berger was the first Black federal judge for West Virginia . Poore was introduced to Berger while participating in a mock trial field trip when Poore was in middle school and Berger was a Kanawha County Circuit Court judge .
“ Witnessing Judge Berger on the bench confirmed my dream of becoming an attorney was not only obtainable , but that I could excel in the legal profession ,” Poore says . “ Judge Berger has been the only African American judge I have ever presented legal arguments to since being licensed in West Virginia .”
In turn , Poore has been a mentor to early-career attorneys . She ’ s also mentored and consulted with people as they seek elected office or work with nonprofit organizations .
“ In my role as vice president for the WVU Division of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion , I have been able to support young professionals as they navigate the work , reach meaningful outcomes and advance in their careers ,” she says .
Through it all , Poore credits her faith for having the biggest influence on her success . As she graduated high school and before she went to college , she prayed that whatever her future , she wanted her life ’ s work to matter by helping others .
“ I knew a part of that journey would be becoming an attorney , but I never knew that that same degree would allow me to help others in the various ways it has over the years ,” she says .
Poore ’ s desire to serve took on a new meaning when she was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates , where she served from 2009 to 2014 . In that time , she was chair of the House Rule-Making Review Committee and the Region IV Vice Chair and Youth Caucus Vice-Chair for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators .
“ For five years as a vocal and influential legislator , I had the ability to continue my role as an advocate for the many disenfranchised people in my district and throughout West Virginia ,” she says .
In 2017 , Poore was the first Black woman to be named president of the West Virginia State Bar since it was founded in 1947 .
In that role , she led the bar ’ s offering of professional learning opportunities for lawyers . She also helped better the bar ’ s communication with courts throughout the state and strengthen relationships between the state ’ s law school students and practicing attorneys .
Poore became vice president for the WVU Division of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion in 2018 . In this role , she motivates others to recognize the beauty of diversity . A focus on diversity is part of life for WVU , where students come from all over the state and the world .
“ We engage in advocacy and policy development to create a more inclusive campus community while collaborating with our campus partners to create a robust schedule of events to broaden perspectives and introduce different customs and cultures ,” Poore says . “ Through this work , WVU seeks to be a national leader in understanding and addressing oppressions and societal inequalities that affect access for , achievement by and inclusion of marginalized people .” •
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