About Me
About Me
Kenya Brumfield-Young, MLS, MSCJ, is a dedicated Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, specializing in criminology and criminal justice. With a career that spans both academic and practical realms, Kenya is known for her deep commitment to addressing wrongful convictions and advocating for equitable treatment of youth of color in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
Since joining Saint Louis University in 2018, Kenya has made significant strides in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Program, fostering an environment where theory meets real-world application. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes a hands-on, dialectic approach, encouraging students to critically examine criminal justice issues through various lenses, including sociology, psychology, and political science. Kenya’s courses, ranging from gender and sexuality in criminal justice to the wrongful conviction review internship, are designed to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, preparing them for a wide array of careers in and out of the criminal justice field.
Kenya's focus on fairness and equity extends beyond the classroom. She founded and coordinates the Wrongful Conviction Investigations Internship, where both graduate and undergraduate students work on real cases, examining factors that lead to wrongful convictions. She has significantly expanded the internship program, establishing partnerships with organizations like the Gun Crimes Intelligence Center and the Midwest Innocence Project. Her research focuses on the social determinants of incarceration, racial disparities, and juvenile justice reform, often leading to legislative advocacy. In addition to her academic contributions, Kenya frequently appears in the media, having made over 25 media appearances discussing critical criminological issues and advancing public discourse on matters of justice and fairness.
Kenya has been recognized for her outstanding contributions with several awards, including the 2024 Dr. Norman A. White Award for Engaged Scholarship and Service, the 2024 Dr. Jonathan C. Smith Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award, the 2023 Outstanding Professor of the Year (School of Social Work, Criminology/Criminal Justice MACCJ Program), the 2022 Spirit of the Billiken Award, and the Outstanding Professor of the Year Award for the School of Social Work, Criminology/Criminal Justice BACCJ program from 2019–2022.
As a mentor, educator, and advocate, Kenya’s work consistently bridges academia and community engagement, reflecting her core belief in promoting fairness and equality for marginalized communities.
Who I am - The Daughter of Veterans
I am the daughter of two Air Force veterans, and their service has deeply shaped who I am today. I carry with me a sense of duty, fairness, and pride, especially knowing they served our country at a time when it didn’t always serve them in return. From them, I learned the value of hard work, compassion, and empathy, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Things I love
I’m a wife to an absolutely amazing man and a proud mother who enjoys every minute of it. When I’m not working, you can often find me fishing, reading, hanging out with my Jeep Club, or spending quality time with family and friends.