A 21-Year-Old African-American Law Student Positioned to Make Political History in South Carolina

Bakari Sellers is a 21-year-old African-American student at the University of South Carolina School of Law. But even before he finishes law school, it appears that he will be beginning a new career this fall. After winning the June 13 Democratic primary he is unopposed in the general election this November for the 90th district seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Sellers is the son of Cleveland Sellers, director of the African-American studies program at the University of South Carolina. Bakari Sellers is a graduate of Morehouse College, where he served as student body president.

While speaking to supporters after his primary victory, Sellers said, “They say first-time legislators, well, they tend to be quiet that first session. I don’t plan to be quiet. We’ve been quiet for too long.”

Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.