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Bakari Sellers              

Author, Attorney, Political Commentator, Health & Education Advocate; Youngest African American Elected Official in the U.S.

Bakari Sellers is a two-time New York Times best-selling author, civil rights activist, attorney, entrepreneur and legislator. 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 championing progressive policies to address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic violence and childhood obesity.

Sellers practices law with the Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, SC and is a political commentator at CNN. The author of the bestselling memoir “My Vanishing Country,” he also wrote the "Who Are Your People?" and "The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn't and How We All Can Move Forward Now," a 2025 release. He hosts The Bakari Sellers Podcast, which airs two times a week on the Ringer Podcast Network.

Sellers, widely considered to be a rising star within the Democratic Party and leading voice for his generation, served on President Barack Obama’s South Carolina steering committee during the 2008 election. He has received numerous accolades including being named to TIME Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2010 as well as “The Root 100” list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans.

He has served as a featured speaker at events for the National Education Association, College Democrats of America National Convention, the 2008 and 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Speech Topics

A Look Down the Political Pipeline

t no other time in American history have so many watershed moments run parallel to one another. In what may be, as Bakari Sellers puts it, “the weirdest convergence of events in our country’s history,” we’re left with more questions than answers when it comes to political progress in our country. Formerly the youngest African American elected official in the U.S. and currently a rising star in the Democratic party considered among the most prominent voices of his generation, Sellers is uniquely positioned to analyze the day’s pressing issues and offer candid, expert commentary on the present political landscape.

Recognized from his appearances on nation’s leading news outlets, Sellers is a household name who breaks down issues such as race, immigration, trade, and national security, as well as the impact presidential administrations, both past and present, have had on various policy positions in our country. An extremely articulate and passionate speaker, Sellers’ 360-degree view of the future of U.S. politics will leave audiences informed and uplifted, and instill new sense of duty within each person to play his or her role in reshaping our nation.

My Vanishing Country

Based on his New York Times best-selling memoir of the same name, in this talk, Sellers takes audiences on an eye-opening journey through America’s past, present, and future. In what can be described as a unique blending of cultural analysis and poetic personal history, Sellers explores the plight of Black Americans while shining the light on, and humanizing the struggle of, the “forgotten men and women” – the people who are often overlooked by the media, but have, nonetheless, played a pivotal role in shaping our country.

A courageous conversation about race and our country’s path forward in the wake of current events, Sellers’ message is one that will give marginalized members of society a sense of pride while helping others develop a deeper understanding of their struggles. Audience members will be inspired to play their role in reimagining an America for all and tackling society’s prevailing challenges head on – beginning within their own organizations.

News

Hambycast: Can Bakari Sellers save Southern Democrats? - CNN.com
Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) -- It's September of 2014, but Bakari Sellers is already getting calls and visits from the small crop of Democrats considering a ...
Rep. Bakari Sellers Challenges Gov. Haley to Eat a Food Stamp Diet
Comes after Governor says she'd like to see the program place more emphasis on healthy foods.

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