Meet Sinead Younge | Professor of Psychology and Director of Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis in the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership at Morehouse College

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sinead Younge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sinead, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Consistency and surrounding myself with individuals who are “truth tellers.” People who I trust and are comfortable giving important and sometimes unpopular feedback.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Unfortunately, I am one of a small number of Black women with doctorate degrees and a full professor in the U.S. I am proud of the contribution that I make to scholarly research and my work with non-profit organizations focused on racial health equity, and social justice.

I have been mentored throughout my entire career and challenged to push beyond my comfort zone and not fear failure. Failure has been an important lesson for me and building block to the next challenge. My journey has not been easy, but it has been rewarding. The world should trust and support Black women and know that ““If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.”-Combahee River Collective Statement

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When friends visit, I like to take them to the waterfall in Dahlonega or Sweetwater State Park for a hike/walk. We would go for a drink at Jo Jo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge and have dinner at Rumi’s. We would also check out one of the Breweries like Wild Heaven and go dancing in East Atlanta Village or catch a show at City Winery. We would also spend some time on the beltline.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have had several key mentors throughout my life and been inspired motivated by a number of books. My earliest mentor was my mother (Eula Younge). One of my biggest supporters and someone who challenged me to be better was my high school track coach (Steve Wilson) and a later mentor, Dr. Harriette McAdoo. Books that continue to inspire me is the Alchemist and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and any writings by Toni Morrison.

Twitter: @profyounge

Image Credits
Group Shot. Photo by Emani Saucier