Physician · Community Health Advocate · Artistic Director
Dr. Tinka Barnes is a native of Compton, CA and the daughter of parents from Mississippi and Louisiana. From early on she knew she wanted to be a physician, as well as being in the public light. Her focus has always been on serving the community and engaging people where they are. She matriculated at Thee Jackson State University, obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Biology. While there, a friend introduced her to her future husband, the award-winning author Derrick Barnes.
They’ve been married for 25 years and together for almost 30. During this time they have had four amazing sons who have carried on the HBCU tradition thus far, attending North Carolina A&T, Fayetteville State University, Xavier University, and Howard University (ages 25, 21, 19, and 14). Over the years she has focused her professional lens on working in the community with the more vulnerable population. She has honed her conversation around the importance of using the power of food and movement to create epigenetic change that propels patients into a healthier body and mind. Currently she is a full-time primary care and pain management physician taking care of Veterans with chronic pain. Utilizing all her knowledge of complex disease processes and the need for a biopsychosocial focus, she’s helping Veterans help themselves.
Throughout her academic career in medicine she has also trained to become a professional West African dancer, and currently she is the Artistic Director for CADDC — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she co-founded with a friend who also values the importance of maintaining culture and creating community. With the dance company she choreographs the repertoire for youth and adults, teaches weekly classes for adults and children, and negotiates contracts and performances. She is also founder and CEO of Veginar PLLC, a company that presents webinars and seminars to help people transition from the Standard American Diet to a more whole-food, plant-based diet.