Civil rights activist, author, and political commentator BakariSellerswill be the keynote speaker at Claflin University's Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. This is a ticketed event. You may watch the ceremony live on Claflin University's Facebook page.
Sellers made history in the 2006 South Carolina state legislature as the youngest African American elected official in the nation at the age of 22. His political career did not stop there. In 2014, he was the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor in the state of South Carolina. Sellers has also worked for United States Congressman James Clyburn and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.
In 2008, he served on President Barack Obama's South Carolina steering committee. His ability to "reach across the aisle to get things done" has led to numerous achievements, including being named TIME Magazine's 40 Under 40 and "The Root 100" list of the nation's most influential African Americans in 2015 and HBCU Top 30 Under 30 in July 2014. He was a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention in 2016 and 2008.
Sellers currently practices law with the Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, S.C., where he heads the firm's Strategic Communication and Public Affairs team. The firm recently added Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consulting to the list of services offered.
Sellers recently released aNew York TimesBest Seller,My Vanishing Country: A Memoir. The book has been described as part memoir, part historical and cultural analysis illustrating the lives of America's forgotten black working-class men and women.
Sellers recently expanded his audience with the Bakari Sellers Podcast, a twice-a-week show that is part of The Ringer Podcast Network. His podcasts discuss a variety of topics, including politics, race, sports, media, the presidential campaign, and much more.
Sellers was born into an activist family. His father, civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers, instilled core values in him to continue in the tireless commitment to service.
In 2005, Sellers earned a bachelor's degree in African American Studies from Morehouse College. He continued his education at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2008, earning a Juris Doctor.
Sellers has been a guest speaker at various political events, colleges and universities, and national trade organizations nationwide.
Sellers and his wife, Dr. Ellen Rucker-Sellers, are the parents of twins, Sadie and Stokely.