Keeda Haynes spent nearly four years in prison for a crime she did not commit. While there, she began studying for the LSAT. Once she was released, she started working for a law firm and put herself through law school. In 2012, she passed the bar and became a public defender in Nashville. She has made it her focus to help those who are currently incarcerated or formerly incarcerated. Having seen first hand the effects of the flawed criminal justice system, specifically for minorities Right now, she works for a nonprofit called Free Hearts which provides support for incarcerated women and their children. She works to educate her community on the goals of Free Hearts and the effects of the criminal justice system. 

If elected, Keeda would be the first black congresswoman from Tennessee. In it’s history, Tennessee has only sent two black representatives to congress. If elected, Keeda plans to work hard to make substantial reforms to our criminal justice system and bring greater equity and fairness to all Americans by advocating for better, more inclusive policy solutions on many fronts.