Cristyl Kimbrough is a managing attorney and the founder of Kimbrough Law, a boutique law firm in Atlanta.
Between her entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts, Kimbrough is also one of the founding members of OWN TV’s new hit show, “Ladies Who List.” Viewers can also watch the versatile attorney and media darling on “Bury The Hatchet” as a judge.
Kimbrough spoke with rolling out at its Because We Met event in Atlanta about the meaning of HBCU love and how her career path mirrors her commitment to both.
How does it feel to be a part of the “Because We Met” event?
It feels amazing. This is my second or so project with rolling out and I just love what they’re doing. The [Genesis Motor] cars are dope, and I’m going to go out there and see if I can win one.
What does HBCU love mean to you personally?
HBCUs saved my life. I was not a good test taker, but excelled well in my curriculum. High GPAs and not-so-great LSAT scores, but I’m a double HBCU product. They told me that I wouldn’t even make it to college, but my HBCU, Albany State, told me that I would. There I graduated early and with honors. Then I was told that I would never get into law school, but my HBCU, Southern Law in Baton Rouge, told me that I could. Now I have what I have now, and it’s all because of them. I can never thank my HBCUs enough.
How rewarding is it to be a real estate attorney and investor?
It depends on the day that you ask me, but all in all, it is very fulfilling. It’s called “happy law,” because we’re helping people achieve their American dream of property ownership. I can’t imagine myself doing anything other than what I’m doing now. Just to see the cries at the closing table; [pure] tears of joy. I’ve had a 70-year-old purchase property for the first time. It’s never too late, come close with us.
What do you want to see change in the community?
Without getting into too much detail, I think more transparency. We love to show the very beginning of where we started and how rough it was in the beginning, and then the very end of what our lives look like now without documenting and memorializing all of the hurdles. I think sharing the stories of sometimes when you’re up and then you fall again, and then you have to get back up [are important]. I would like to see more transparency in our community and I hope having these types of events will foster that.
