Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a founding member of the law firm of Harris, Mitchell & Dinizulu, LLC, in Chicago,
Illinois. Prior to starting the firm, I worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in the
Criminal Prosecutions Bureau here in Chicago. Before that, professionally, I served
in the United States Army Military Intelligence Command. On the academic side,
I received my law degree from Howard University School of Law. I started my
undergraduate education at Tougaloo College in Mississippi, but I finished at
Tennessee State University.
Impressive! Those are all great schools. How did you decide to attend Tennesse State University and Howard School of Law?
I was in the army when I decided to attend Tennessee State University. Some of my family members had attended
Tennessee State back in the 50's and 60's. In addition, I visited the Tennessee State University campus, along
with the campuses of several other schools that I was considering attending when I got out of the Army. I spoke
with some of the students and professors in the Political Science department. I was impressed with the attitude
of the students and faculty at Tennessee State. The campus wasn't so bad, either. I went to Howard because it
was, in my opinion, the best law school for me. I was accepted to many different law schools. But, I enjoyed
the HBCU environment. I didn't want to change then.
The HBCU Network: What were some of your most memorable college experiences?
Jesse:
My entire college experience was memorable. Some of my closest friends are people that I met during my
college years. Becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. stands out as a memorable experience.
Most importantly, all of the things I learned academically and about life in general, whether good or bad, have
helped me become the person I am today. I would have to say that the entire experience is memorable.
The HBCU Network:How did Tennessee State and Howard help mold you as the person you are today?
Jesse:
At Tennessee State I learned to focus primarily on mastering my craft - the rewards will come later. I knew that
I wanted to go to law school. Also, I knew that good grades were an important part of getting into law school.
I was always concerned about my grades. One of my professors assured me I would get good grades if I just mastered
the material. That philosphy has held true with me whether the craft was being a good student - expecting good grades;
or, whether it was being a good attorney - expecting a reward of professional success for me and an optimal outcome
favorable to my clients. So, now all I do is concentrate on mastering my craft - the rest will come.
From Howard I retained a sense of fearlessness. There have been some great attorneys who have graduated from Howard Law.
Many of those lawyers practiced at a time when society was very hostile to even the idea of an educated black person.
Those attorneys faced those institutions and societal beliefs at a time when it was dangerous to do so. Most of the
time they won. So, I figure that I can do it too. That's kind of the motivation for starting HMD.
The HBCU Network: What are your thoughts on the current state of our HBCUs?
Jesse:
I think HBCUs are headed in a positive direction. I think that we (HBCU alumni) are starting to appreciate the
importance of supporting our alma maters even after we are gone. Also, I think the HBCU administrations
are realizing that they have to do things that leave the students with the desire to look back and support
the university after they leave. HBCUs are concentrating on improving the social and asthetic environments on
their campuses. Resolving the problems of the HBCUs is an ongoing struggle. But, I think that the schools and the
alumni are on the same page.
The HBCU Network: What was your inspiration for becoming an entrepreneur?
Jesse:
I was inspired to become an entrepreneur primarily by my father. I grew up in a small town in Mississippi.
All during my childhood my father was an entrepreneur. He owned the local drycleaning store, and at one point
he owned a nightclub. Also, the only lawyers that I had ever seen were entrepreneurs. The first time I heard
about the huge law firms that employ hundreds of attorneys was when I got to Howard. Until then, all I knew was
that lawyers graduate from law school, pass the bar, and open a law office. So, when I went to law school
I intended to do just that.
The HBCU Network: What was your greatest challenge in getting your business off the ground?
Jesse:
The greatest challenge in starting my business was dealing with the uncertainty. It is a little unsettling when
you know that you have spent almost everything you have to get the office space and equipment and supplies without
knowing whether anyone will patronize your business. I represent plaintiffs in Catastrophic Injury cases and I
represent people who have been charged with crimes. My clientele consists of people who have been severely injured
or killed by somebody's negligence. Or, they are people who have been charged with crimes that could lead to
them being incarcerated for years. Believe me, those are very personal and sensitive issues to have to address.
At that time we were a brand new business and I didn't know if people would trust us with their most serious problems.
But, once we got clients and did good work, that concern faded. Now, we just have to make sure that we stay on top
of our craft.
The HBCU Network: What has been your greatest success?
Jesse:
Everytime that we prevail for one of our clients is a great success.
The HBCU Network: I see that the other two partners are also HBCU Alumni (Florida A&M University). How did you all meet and decide to start HMD?
Jesse:
I met Stephen Mitchell first. We were in the same academic summer program at Howard. We are both
members of Kappa Alpha Psi. He and Yao Dinizulu pledged Kappa together at Florida A & M Univ. Even before
law school, Steve and I talked, hypothetically, about starting a law firm. He went on to law school in
Wisconsin and I went to Howard. We both ended up working in Chicago three years later - after law school. I met
Yao in Chicago. The conversations about starting a law firm started to sound more like plans. Before I knew it, we were
out looking for office space.
The HBCU Network: What are your future plans (personally and professionally)?
Jesse:
I plan to continue to be active with young people in my church and neighborhood organizations.
It is important for me to plant the seeds of confidence and success into young black minds.
Professionally, I strive to be the best attorney in the world. I plan to continue to study and stay abreast
of the changes occurring in the legal profession. That is the only way that I can produce optimum results for my clients.
The HBCU Network: Do you have any parting words for the HBCU Community and for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Jesse:
My parting words to the HBCU Community:
Prepare yourself. Master the craft - the rewards will follow.
The HBCU Network: Thank you so much for your time, Jesse.
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