Sometimes the one thing (fear) we think has absolute right holding us back becomes the very reason to buckle up getting more accomplished than you ever thought possible. Life sometimes can be difficult, presenting obstacles and road-blocks to success. These times may leave us feeling depressed, sad, seemingly unable to move forward; however, if you could imagine yourself making a clear decision to move forward, regardless of risk or sacrifice. You could gain momentum and never look back – Many others have done it. Why not you? This wee’s chosen visionary has proven to her children, community, family, and self how fear can inside out bouncing on its ugly head.

Here’s the story of a pillar in the black, brown, poor, and other folks living in the inner-city urban community who tricked fear, climbed out of a poverty-stricken environment, and continues to rise to the height of a promising career serving the same community she was once a part. Lots of people know the glory, but few know the real story. Read on, and be inspired.

Three (3) Books You Should Read:

1. Enduring The Call: A 14-Day Encounter by Jocelyn Fagan, Author, Entrepreneur, and Licensed Minister
2. Empowerment Series: Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs, Updated (MindTap Course List
3. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey Of Recovery From Loss by Katurah A. Bryant, LMFT

This Week’s Chosen Visionary

Born Dinah Orissa Milton in Folkston, Georgia, one of 13 children. She moved to New Haven, Connecticut, with her mother and siblings in 1977. Dinah attended New Haven Public Schools, graduating from Richard C. Lee High School in 1985. She was elected senior class president, graduated number seven in her class, and received numerous college scholarships. These accomplishments were significant in Dinah’s life because, while a sophomore in high school, at the tender age of 16, she gave birth to her daughter, Tashana. Some predicted Dinah would not finish high school, would not go to college, and that she and
her daughter would end up as welfare statistics.

Young but never ignorant of the power and purpose of a dream, Dinah pushed forward against the odds, striving to do her part to be a good mother, get off welfare and build a successful life for herself and Tashana. It was not easy for either of them, but they endured by the prayers and support of family, the Church, and others who gave words of encouragement and financial assistance.

Elder, Dinah Kinney, Esquire

Lady Dinah is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. While attending Southern, she raised Tashana and worked full time, taking evening and weekend courses. With God’s help, Dinah was allowed to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. She was accepted into the part-time evening division program at the University of Connecticut School of Law, graduating in 2000. While attending law school, she juggled the responsibility of being a single parent, working full time, and serving as a Sunday School Teacher and youth leader in her Church, Mount Hope Temple United Holy Church of America (New Haven).

Longing to be a committed and genuine woman of God, at the age of 25, Dinah accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and then married the man of her dreams, Robert W. Kinney, Sr. In 2003, she answered the call into the ministry. Today, she serves as First Lady and an Associate Pastor of her Church.

In addition, The United States District Court currently employs her for the District of Connecticut as the Chief Deputy Clerk of Court. She has held numerous other distinguished positions, including Law Clerk to the Judges of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Newport News, Virginia; Judicial Assistant to Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez; Administrative Services Manager of the 1995 Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee; Assistant to the Chief of Staff to Governor Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.; and Executive Assistant to the United States Attorney of the District of Connecticut.

Notable Accomplishments

1. Chief Deputy Clerk of Court for United States District Court for the State of Connecticut
2. Member: Connecticut Bar Association
3. Member: Federal Practice Section of the CT Bar Association
4. Member: George W. Crawford Black Bar Association
5. Service: Jury Committee for the Connecticut district court
6. Service: President of the board of the Mount Hope Recovery Center Food Pantry.
7. Service: Vice President, Board of Director’s of Christian Community Action, Inc. (New Haven)

What’s More?

Dinah finds her greatest joy as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Together she and Robert has three children, four grandchildren, and they reside together in Hamden, CT. Elder Dinah has extraordinary compassion for young women, especially those considered at risk, and she thinks it a privilege to share her story with them. Above everything, Dinah considers it a privilege to proclaim the Good News that Jesus Saves! She claims this excellent message through community service, preaching, teaching, and the gift of playwriting.

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The Urban Academics Roundtable convenes discussions on various subjects and topics around academics and education and issues affecting each one today. It’s an intellectual talk with Q & A around black, brown, and poor folks living the inner-city urban experience – For Your Business, Home, and School. 

The coveted “HOT-Seat” is reserved for forward-thinking folks who have resources and tools readily available to discuss issues in our communities needing change now, one family/person/topic at a time. We need solutions, not more problems, for today’s questions. These conversations are necessary and RAW, often too “HOT” to stop. You can recommend someone, a colleague, or other professional – Contact Patrina S Reddick by Clicking HERE.

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