Name: Bakari Sellers
Profession: Attorney/ Former. Member SC House of Reps/ 2014 nominee for Lt. Gov
Age: 30
One word that describes you: Change Agent
Active in the fight against child obesity, at the age of 22 Bakari Sellers became the youngest member of the South Carolina General Assembly. A graduate of Morehouse College in 2005, Sellers then received his law degree at the University of South Carolina in 2008.
His inspiration to enter into the world of politics was simple. To create change. “Politics is a difficult world to navigate where you have very few friends and must be guided by your ethical and moral center,” Sellers tells BE Modern Man. The challenges of being a young African-American male guided by those principles and navigating social politics within politics can be a daunting challenge. “I was confronted by those with a predisposition to discount my work and voice as a young African American male in this profession,” says Sellers. “To surpass that I just worked harder and dreamed bigger.”
Dreaming big is essential in the process of bringing your goals to fruition, but there has to be a plan. “I understand that there are many young persons who dream just as I do, but may not know how to order their steps,” says Sellers. “These ordered steps separate me from the tough political landscape. Everyday I focus on leaving a legacy of creating a more perfect union.”
Legacy was created when at the age of 22, Sellers became the youngest member of the South Carolina General Assembly. “Although I won my first election at the age of 21, there are still so many people in SC hurting and I truly am hopeful that my greatest achievement is yet to come.”
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Making a national impact and showing our young future African-American political candidates that anything is possible, Sellers realizes that he didn’t get where he is at on his own. “Being humble and never forgetting from which you came is the most important thing to always remember,” Sellers tells BE Modern Man
.In the wake of the recent tragedy that took place at Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina, Sellers has been working harder than ever to be a voice for the communities affected by the shootings. “We have a long way to go in regards to race relations in the United States, and specifically here in South Carolina,” says Sellers. Black churches have long been targeted throughout history because of their importance as a anchor in the black community. It is a reminder of what still exists as we attempt to move forward.”
Pressing on and building resiliency in the face of tragedy is the hallmark of our communities and people. “A BE Modern Man, breaks, no SHATTERS stereotypes one day at a time,” says Sellers. “He carries on the very rich and strong legacy of the heroes that came before.”
Young, smart and politically savvy, Bakari Sellers is living proof that it is never to early to begin chasing your dreams. The BE Modern Man team salutes Sellers for making a impact in the political landscape, and using his platform to ignite change not just in South Carolina, but throughout the country.
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