Bakari Sellers

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CNN Pundit & Youngest African American Elected Official in the Nation

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Commentators / Pundits
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Politics

Bakari Sellers: Biography at a Glance

  • Bakari Sellers is the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation
  • The 2014 Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor in the state of South Carolina
  • Currently seen as a Political Commentator on CNN
  • Named to TIME magazine’s “40 Under 40” in 2010 as well as 2014 and 2015 “The Root 100” list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans
  • Currently serves on AIPAC’s National Council
  • His book "My Vanishing Country," part memoir, part historical and cultural analysis, illuminates the lives of America’s forgotten black working-class men and women.
     

Biography

Bakari Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year incumbent State Representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation. In 2014 he was the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor in the state of South Carolina.

Earning his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, where he served as student body president, and his law degree from the University of South Carolina, Sellers has followed in the footsteps of his father, civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers, in his tireless commitment to service taking championing progressive policies to address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic violence and childhood obesity.

His impressive list accomplishment in addition to having served on President Barack Obama's South Carolina steering committee during the 2008 election, Sellers is widely considered to be a rising star within the Democratic Party and leading voice for his generation. That coupled with his uncommon ability to reach across the aisle and get things done has led to numerous accolades including being named to TIME magazine’s "40 Under 40" in 2010 as well as 2014 and 2015 “The Root 100” list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans and has provided commentary and analysis to CNN and MSNBC including multiple appearances on Hardball with Chris Matthews and Morning Joe. He now currently serves on AIPAC’s National Council.

He has served as a featured speaker at events for the National Education Association, College Democrats of America National Convention, the 2008 Democratic National Convention and, in 2007, delivered the opening keynote address to the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC.

Sellers practices law with the Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, SC and is a Political Commentator at CNN. He is married to Dr. Ellen Rucker-Sellers.

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Bakari killed it today. His speech was heartfelt, intelligent, candid and chock full of insights. Not only did the Atlanta Hawks appreciate his presence and words, the City of Atlanta greatly benefited from his message. Thanks so much for everything!

Atlanta Hawks
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