
Law students and identical twins, Amani and Ayanna Grant (J.D. ‘25), share more than just a close bond. Since childhood, they’ve shared a journey of resilience and determination that has led them both to pursue law degrees at Georgia State University College of Law.

Ayanna and Amani Grant (J.D. '25)
Originally from the Bronx in New York, the Grants are first-generation Americans with roots in Jamaica and Guyana. Their early years were marked by challenges, as they were primarily raised by their grandmother in Georgia, after their mother was diagnosed with multiple severe mental health disorders in 2008. Growing up, they became each other’s support system, navigating life’s hurdles and sharing in each other’s joys and struggles.
“Having each other through the tough times made all the difference,” Amani said. “We learned early on to rely on each other, which is why choosing the same law school felt natural.”
Their decision to study law was influenced by their experiences advocating for their mother and managing legal issues for their family. The twins shared stories of navigating the legal system at an early age, including an incident involving their stepfather’s deportation, which became a pivotal moment in their lives.
According to Ayanna, “witnessing our mother’s challenges, we realized early on how important it is to have an advocate. Law school became our way of turning those personal experiences into something that could help others.”
The twins also chose to distinguish themselves academically while remaining close. Ayanna pursued a Bachelor of Arts in communications with minors in theater and Portuguese at the University of Georgia, while Amani chose a Bachelor of Arts in political science at Savannah State University before transferring to the University of Georgia. As they progressed through law school, the sisters discovered they shared an interest in entertainment, criminal and intellectual property law. They both interned with the Georgia Public Defender's Council at Gang & RICO Defense Unit, where they learned how to balance a large case load by conducting detailed legal research on topics related to Georgia's gang and RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statutes.
The sisters are each currently working toward a Certificate in Entertainment & Sports Law. “We’ve always loved the idea of combining our passions with the law,” Ayanna said, citing a career day in high school when a music attorney inspired them to consider sports and entertainment law.
Most recently, the Grants have been working on a partnership with the Sports, Entertainment and Law Society at the College of Law and MTM Standard, a music distribution and sync licensing company operating out of the School of Music at Georgia State University. This project aims to give law students transactional experience, especially those without a background in business law.
Amani and Ayanna are setting up opportunities for their peers to gain hands-on experience with contract negotiation and client advising. Through this project, they hope to provide law students with skills in explaining contract terms and educating new artists to understand their legal rights and obligations.

Amani Grant (J.D. '25)
“We want to ensure that law students can confidently guide artists through their contracts,” Amani said. “Helping define contractual terms early empowers both students and artists in their respective fields.”
In addition to their legal studies, the sisters also have entrepreneurial ambitions. Together, they launched a crochet clothing brand called Island Gyals LLC, which promotes Caribbean culture. Inspired by skills they learned from their grandmother, Island Gyals allows the sisters to express their heritage and creativity while promoting Caribbean women’s empowerment.
“A business teaches you a lot about self-promotion and brand building, which are crucial skills in law too,” Ayanna noted. “It’s taught us how to make agreements and understand business terms, which is invaluable as future lawyers.”
In the future, the twins plan to create a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and support to students from families affected by mental health challenges and disabilities. “Growing up, we felt nobody knew what we were going through and had few people to talk to. This is why we want to have a non-profit organization to assist students going through similar situations with scholarship opportunities,” Amani said. “We want to help others who face similar circumstances and make them feel less alone.”
Although the twins felt lonely while growing up their experience at Georgia State Law has proven to be the exact opposite.
Their mentors at the law school, have been instrumental in helping them along their journey, providing academic guidance and encouraging the Grants to pursue their career goals in advocacy.
“Our backgrounds and circumstances may influence who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. Amani and Ayanna are putting in the work to continue defying the odds. They are greatness personified,” said Professor Brandy Owens Domengeaux, one of the twins’ mentors.

Ayanna Grant (J.D. '25)
While they work toward some of the same goals, the twins maintain a healthy spirit of competition. “Our biggest competition is each other, but it’s always positive,” Ayanna said. “We usually apply for the same scholarships and push each other to be better.”
After completing law school, Amani and Ayanna hope to eventually open a law firm together where they can combine their interests in entertainment and criminal law. This vision is deeply rooted in their commitment to justice, creativity, and advocacy values they have nurtured throughout their journey. For now, they continue to support each other academically and professionally, reflecting on their journey and the values that brought them to Georgia State University College of Law. Together, they embody the resilience, ambition, and collaborative spirit that define the next generation of legal professionals.
-Written by Ifunanya Ejimofor (LL.M. ‘25)