What is progress?
In Minnesota one of the more “liberal” states in the Union … a state that once elected a pro wrestler to the governor’s seat, a state that was home to forward-thinking humanitarian, Hubert H. Humphrey, a state that gave us Sen. Paul Wellstone and a state that produced the first Muslim elected to Congress … yet a state lumped in with Mississippi when it comes to racial disparities, progress is not easily defined. But it seems Gov. Mark Dayton is doing something to shape the definition of progress when it comes to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Recognizing a lack of diversity within state government, particularly in leadership positions, Dayton has been appointing people of color – many Blacks – to key positions within his administration and he is encouraging state commissioners and even private employers to do the same. One of those serving in a leadership role is Kimberly Holmes. Appointed this past December, Holmes serves as general counsel to the governor and lieutenant governor. Holmes is the second African-American woman to hold the post under Dayton.
As general counsel, Holmes advises the governor on all legal matters that hit his desk, but maybe her most important role is sitting on his panel that appoints state judges. Holmes said she has already noticed an increased diversity on the bench.
“I have been talking to people of color and encouraging them to apply for judgeships because Gov. Mark Dayton is committed to increasing diversity. He has increased diversity on the bench in Minnesota by at least 84 percent. He has more than two years left (in office) and I encourage people of color to apply,” said Holmes.
Holmes has spent most of her career in the government sector. She served as the chief legal officer for the Louisiana Department of Revenue and in private practice she represented the Louisiana Department of Insurance, the Oklahoma Department of Insurance, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Defender’s office. Prior to accepting the position as general counsel, Holmes was assistant commissioner for the Minnesota’s Department of Revenue.
“I always wanted to be involved in a role where I could be of service to the community,” said Holmes, who graduated from Drake University with a B.A. in public administration and earned her law degree from Southern University Law Center. “My first job out of law school was working as a staff attorney for the Louisiana Department of Justice for $ 22,000 a year.”
Chicago born and raised, Holmes came to Minnesota in 2014 when she married her husband, fellow Drake alum, James Holmes, Jr. Since moving to the state, the attorney has become active in the local chapter of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and mentors law students – many women of color – through associations such as the Somali Bar Assoc. and the Minnesota Black Women Lawyers Network.
“I feel I set an example for every person of color,” said Holmes. “It’s my duty to work with upcoming students of color so they can one day follow me in this role. I have a personal mission to increase the number of women attorneys in the legal profession. My prior law firm had the mission of hiring high school and college students and encouraging them to apply to law school and then once they became a law student, we would tutor them throughout their law school tenure. I have more than five students that were mentored by my prior law firm in Louisiana. I continue to do the same here.”
In following Holmes in her role, one does not have to be the stuffy, pinned-up type. That’s not Holmes’ style at all. Clearly, she is more than capable to handle the tasks at hand … even if she does it listening to a little “trap” music.
“I love concerts and I’m a big fan of music, especially hip-hop,” laughingly said Holmes.
