MIP’s Diverse Perspectives: Evin L. Grant
MIP’s Diverse Perspectives is a monthly blog feature to spotlight a member from North Carolina’s community of diverse attorneys and legal professionals. Members have the opportunity to share a personal perspective through a brief set of interview questions.
This month’s perspective is courtesy of Evin L. Grant, Policy Director, North Carolina Department of Administration.
What law school did you attend and what was your graduation year?
Campbell Law School, 2016
What inspired or prompted you to become an attorney?
Being an attorney is a second career for me. After undergrad, I entered the workforce, without any initial interest in being a lawyer. My first real introduction to the legal system was as a criminal magistrate in 2008. It sparked my interest in law, particularly how little the everyday North Carolinian knew about the law, yet was expected to adhere to and understand the system if ever confronted with it. After transitioning from the legal world into engineering, I think I longed to be back in a space where I would help people, directly, face-to-face, meeting their individual needs and creating solutions to help them. It led me to consider law school after being out of school for nearly six years. I learned what a lawyer could do, and how the skills you develop in law school can give you leverage when helping others navigate their lives.
Please describe a barrier or obstacle you have overcome in your professional career?
The biggest “obstacle” I had to overcome was getting out of my own way. The legal profession is full of challenges. Especially as a Black attorney. What I experience in the world doesn’t stop just because I put on a suit and sit among colleagues. However, I can’t fight those external battles until I’m aware of the internal battles. Feeling like I don’t fit in, don’t belong, or general imposter syndrome is real. Thinking no one has my interests in mind because I don’t match the status quo, also real. Not voicing my opinion or sharing my perspective because I don’t feel experienced enough, or old enough, or smart/wise enough – all real. I had to get out of my way and remind myself, I’m here because I belong here. I worked to get here. And while I’m here, I intend to take up all the space I need to get done what needs to be done – once I get out of my own way.
Do you have a message of encouragement for others who may have experienced similar challenges or adversity as a diverse attorney?
You belong where you are! Look back over everything you did to get to this moment. Was it luck? Sure, if that makes you feel humble about it. What is the divine act of the creator? If you don’t believe the creator gave you the tools necessary to make this moment happen, that’s fine; relinquish all credit for every decision you made with the tools you were given. You belong where you are because you worked to get here. Get out of your own way. Shift your perspective, increase your self-awareness, and refocus your energy away from being your own obstacle so you can take on all of the other challenges you’ll face as a diverse attorney, head-on.
Evin L. Grant serves as the NC Department of Administration (NCDOA) Policy Director to develop and assist in implementing policies and procedures for departments, initiatives, and task forces, across the State of North Carolina, under the direction of the Secretary of Administration. He also collaborates on statewide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program development, initiatives, and training and advises on employment, non-public education, technology, and more. Please visit Evin L. Grant’s full bio here.