by 
One of the many great memories I have from my eight years in Nashville, is the diversity of my friends. I was fortunate to not only make fabulous friends while I lived there, we have continued to keep in contact and often see each other several times a year. A Saturday in Nashville could go in many different directions from paintball to canoeing to a hot chicken festival. One such Saturday, a friend and I went to a pool party where we met a young lady who had recently relocated to Nashville to start her law career. The inviting bunch that we are 🙂 she soon became part of our weekend adventures in Nashville. Now looking back, it’s hard to remember a time in Nashville when Kinika wasn’t there as we have become great friends and frequent travel partners.
As with any great friendship, we spend time talking about our careers, our personal goals and reflecting on our true purpose in life. Though younger than I am, Kinika has more working experience than I do, as when we met she was starting her first year at a law firm, while I was starting residency. As an incredibly intelligent, organized and detail oriented person, she quickly made her mark and accelerated through the ranks to become Partner at a prominent firm. However, we both came to a similar roadblock in life. While our jobs were fine, and technically, we could do them for the next 30 years, would we feel like we were fulfilling our purpose, living our best lives?
Soon after I embarked on my locums journey, Kinika started to explore other options as well. She was fortunate enough to be offered an opportunity to be the Director of Children’s Health at the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC). This position offers her a chance to fight for one of our most vulnerable populations. Social justice work can be painstaking, slow moving and frustrating. It is also necessary and rewarding beyond measure.
Today, I would like to talk with Kinika Young about her inspiring transition.
- Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. I moved away for college and attended Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida. My decision to attend FAMU, an historically black college/university, took my classmates and teachers by surprise because, as a National Achievement Scholar, I pretty much had my pick of schools. They didn’t consider FAMU to be “good enough” for me, but I’m so glad I didn’t listen to them. I chose FAMU because I received a full scholarship and because of its pre-law program. FAMU has been a top feeder school for sending black students to law school. It turned out to be a great learning environment, where I gained the perspective, confidence, and fortitude that helped me going into law school and the real world.
My first choice was to attend Vanderbilt University Law School. I earned a spot during early admission and received a partial scholarship. But, I couldn’t pay the remaining costs. So, I went to Tulane University Law School on a full scholarship. Again, I lucked upon a great school. I enjoyed New Orleans, and it remains one of my favorite cities in the world. During law school, I decided to focus my job search on a few cities based on size, career opportunities, and cultural scene (like art, music, sports, etc). Nashville was one of those cities. I had never even visited Nashville until I came for interviews. I got a summer clerkship at a firm in Nashville during the summer after my second year of law school.
At the start of my third year of law school, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. I evacuated safely, and while I was home in Montgomery trying to figure out what to do, I received a phone call from the hiring partner at the firm where I had clerked. He called to check on me and to inform me that the hiring committee had just met earlier that day and decided to extend an offer for me to join the firm after graduation. The firm found housing for me and arranged for me to attend Vanderbilt University Law School as a visiting student during the fall semester, while New Orleans was recovering. So it all came full circle. I ended up at my first choice law school under circumstances that no one could’ve predicted. Many people at the law school and the law firm were incredibly helpful and accommodating. It was a testament to the kind and welcoming spirit that defines Nashville, which made me fall in love with the city. I ended up practicing at this same law firm for over 10 years until I left to join a non-profit organization.
- What prompted you to consider a position at the Tennessee Justice Center?
I first learned of the Tennessee Justice Center when I did a leadership program for attorneys in 2013; one of my classmates worked at TJC. I believed in their mission (helping people get access to life’s necessities, particularly healthcare), so I handled a couple of pro bono cases and became a monthly donor. After seeing all the turmoil and civil unrest in 2016, I felt like I needed to devote more time to working on social justice issues and making a difference in people’s lives. First, I considered the financial implications of leaving the firm and all the perks that come with it. I was able to follow my heart (and not the paycheck) because I had no debt, I’m single, and I saved a lot from the beginning. Next, I talked to several friends about it, and one friend suggested that I reach out to the executive director of TJC. I did, and just like that, I made the biggest career move of my life!
- What have you enjoyed the most in your new position?
Being the Director of Children’s Health allows me to immerse myself in health care policy and analysis, think creatively about ways to influence people, and advocate for a worthwhile cause–protecting and improving the health safety net for children. The work is extremely relevant right now. TJC has been at the forefront of the fight to save healthcare and defeat efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and slash federal funding for Medicaid. The few months that I’ve been at TJC have been the most exciting of my legal career. I hope the big threats are behind us now, but given the ongoing need for healthcare reform, I think this position will remain challenging and fulfilling.
- What has been the most difficult part of your transition?
It’s been difficult to grieve the death of my brother in the middle of a job change. He was murdered around my last week at the firm. Learning about health policy issues like dealing with the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has given me a different perspective into what may be the root of most violent crime and how health care (or the lack thereof) affects many issues facing society at large.
It’s also been rough adjusting to a set work schedule and limited paid time off. At the firm, I worked a lot but I pretty much set my own schedule, and I took time off whenever I wanted it or needed it. As long as the billable hours were met, no one cared whether I was at my desk by 9 a.m. or whether I took off 2 weeks to go to Australia. I love to travel, so it will be a challenge to reconcile my jet-setter-side with my help-the-children-side!
- Do you have any advice for young professionals on how to practice law and live their best life?
Be authentic. Practicing law is challenging and can be consuming—no matter if you choose a large firm, small firm/solo, government, or non-profit. It becomes an integral part of your identity, so you want your practice to be a true reflection of you. At the end of a long day, if you can feel good about the work you’re doing and the reasons you’re doing it, then it will be time well spent. Whether you choose a practice to provide a certain lifestyle, to take care of your family, to help people, or to change the world, embrace it. There is no one size fits all; don’t judge yourself based on another person’s path. As long as you’re honest with yourself about what you value most and what you hope to accomplish, then your practice will be rewarding and will allow you to live YOUR best life.
http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/industries/health-care/2017/06/11/kinika-young-trades-corporate-law-for-protecting-kids-healthcare/322601001/