What began as a casual conversation in a nail salon quickly revealed a shared commitment to supporting women pursuing legal careers. This unexpected meeting became the foundation for a meaningful partnership rooted in wellness, representation, and access.
Marisa Blackshire is an environmental lawyer and currently serves as Vice President at Bloom Energy. Her legal journey began when she recognized the need for more professionals who looked like her in the environmental legal sector. Marisa’s realization fueled her passion for breaking barriers and creating pathways for ambitious women to pursue their own professional goals.
Throughout her career, Marisa has practiced in big law, worked at a midsize law firm, and now works in-house. These experiences have made her an important voice for aspiring legal professionals navigating the realities of balancing ambitious careers with personal priorities, including building a family and making space for self-care.
Johnsenia Brooks founded JD Genesis in 2025 after recognizing a gap in mental health services for women in the legal field. JD Genesis is a growing nonprofit whose mission is to encourage women pursuing a legal career to center mental health and wellness in their daily practice. Receiving the Blackshire Family Fund’s $10,000 grant marks another significant milestone in JD Genesis’ journey to increase representation within the legal profession.
The grant will allow the organization to expand its impact and fully fund the 2028 Fellowship program year. As a result of the Blackshire Family Fund grant, JD Genesis is able to serve more women throughout the Bay Area as they pursue their dreams of becoming attorneys.
Q: What was your first encounter with the founder of JD Genesis that made you want to donate to the organization?
Marisa Blackshire: “We were just in the nail salon, and she started telling me about what she was doing. I thought, ‘This is the intersection of everything that I’m interested in! Having a daughter who is navigating the law school application process helped me realize that we need more programs like JD Genesis that focus on the mental health aspect of the legal field.”
Marisa believes that if you want to have it all, you should start by becoming truly excellent at what you do. JD Genesis embraces that philosophy through its slogan, “Starting Law with Lifestyle,” cultivating excellence in each program participant early on in a way that aligns with their individualized goals and values.
JD Genesis extends its sincerest gratitude to Marisa Blackshire and the Blackshire Family Fund for believing in this mission and investing in the next generation of women entering the legal profession. Their support helps transform a vision into reality and strengthens the future of a more diverse and empowered legal community.
As the organization continues to grow, the 2027 JD Genesis Fellowship application will become available on August 28, 2026. Those interested can find more information on the official website at www.jdgenesis.org.