Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in July 1990, Kima West grew up in a slightly poor neighborhood. Raised with an older brother by a single mother, West looked to better herself and her community. Getting into LSU on full-scholarship, she finished both college and law school in five years. She is single and has no children. Politically, West is liberal, and carries pro-choice views. She opposes the death penalty, believing that denying criminals their freedom to society for the rest of their lives is a much more fitting punishment.