Belonging With Purpose: Building a Stronger Future Together
As young lawyers, we often navigate a profession that feels overwhelming, competitive, and isolating. Consistently in the YLD, however, we are challenging our membership to approach our careers and communities differently. We ask: What if we focused not just on individual success but on creating spaces where every young lawyer feels seen, valued, and supported? That is the vision behind our theme this year – Belonging With Purpose – and it is the foundation of the work we are doing in the NCBA Young Lawyers Division.
Belonging is not passive – it is intentional. It requires us to break down barriers, foster connection, and build initiatives that make a real impact. This year, we continue to put our values into action through two key initiatives: Camp First Gen and the Cheslie Kryst Justice Fund.
Camp First Gen: Creating Space for First-Generation Lawyers
For young lawyers who are the first in their families to enter the profession, the path can be especially daunting. Unwritten rules about networking, workplace expectations, and financial realities create obstacles that many others don’t face. Camp First Gen is designed to change that.
This one-day experience on April 12 will provide first-generation law students and young lawyers with the tools and mentorship they need to thrive. We will focus on financial literacy, imposter syndrome, stress management, salary negotiation, and navigating professional spaces with confidence. Held in a summer camp setting, the program will allow participants to build meaningful connections with mentors and peers in a supportive environment.
The legal profession often prides itself on tradition, but traditions should not be barriers to access. Through Camp First Gen, we are making a clear statement: No one should have to figure this journey out alone.
The Cheslie Kryst Justice Fund: Honoring a Legacy, Investing in the Future
Belonging is also about honoring those who have paved the way and ensuring their impact continues. The Cheslie Kryst Justice Fund was created to celebrate the life and work of Cheslie Kryst, a fierce advocate for justice, equity, and well-being. As an attorney, journalist, and DEI leader, Cheslie was deeply committed to empowering others, particularly young professionals navigating demanding careers. She was also a dear friend to many of the YLD leadership, myself included, before her life abruptly ended far too soon.
Miss USA Cheslie Kryst addresses attendees at the 200-year anniversary celebration of the N.C. Supreme Court in 2019.
This fund will support an initiative that aligns with her passion: the Open Door Fund. By investing in this work, we are not only honoring her legacy but also strengthening the legal profession for future generations.
Moving Forward Together
Belonging With Purpose is not just a theme – it is a mindset. It means recognizing that success is not just about individual achievement but about lifting as we climb. It means fostering spaces where young lawyers feel supported, equipped, and empowered to lead.
As we continue this bar year, I invite each of you to engage with these efforts. Whether it is mentoring a first-generation lawyer through our Grab-a-Coffee program, supporting the Cheslie Kryst Justice Fund, or simply reaching out to a peer who may be struggling, small actions create lasting change. Together, we are building a legal profession where every young lawyer has the opportunity not just to belong, but to thrive.
Collins Saint is the 2024-25 chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.