Two-time failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has a new job. She will serve as Howard University’s inaugural Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics.
Since she lost her second attempt to become Georgia’s governor in 2022, the question has been what does Stacey do next? She left open the possibility of running for office again but that appears to be further down the road. Sorry for all those hoping for President Abrams. I kid. Kinda. Anyway, check out the title of her endowed chair – Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics. It tracks, right? Abrams is all about the politics of race and continues to build a career on it.
So, just like Hillary Clinton, she is going to teach at the college level. Hillary is “teaching” about foreign policy decision-making at Columbia University. By teaching, I mean spinning yarns about her experiences as Secretary of State. A co-teacher is doing the hard work of actually teaching the course. Stacey is serving in a brand-new endowed chair. That means someone made the job for her. How nice. If the name Ronald W. Walters sounds familiar, it’s because he was behind one of the first lunch-counter protests in 1958 and later served as an adviser to Jesse Jackson when he ran for president.
Abrams is looking forward to teaching about public policy decision-making. Or maybe she’s saving democracy. Hard to tell.
“We are at an inflection point for American and international democracy, and I look forward to engaging Howard University’s extraordinary students in a conversation about where they can influence, shape and direct the critical public policy decisions we face,” Abrams said in a statement about her new role.
Abrams is a graduate of Spelman College, a top-rated HBCU, and worked as an adjunct professor there. She said Wednesday that her experiences on the campus in Atlanta prepared her for her latest job, which will be in Washington, D.C. where Howard University is located.
“From my alma mater, Spelman College, I have carved out a career that allows me to weave together policy analysis, political leadership, social justice, business, environmental, entertainment, and more,” she said. “Through this post, I hope to emulate Dr. Walter’s diasporic lens on our world and be a part of how Howard University continues to contribute to the broader political discourse.”
She’s a busy woman, to be sure. She has several side hustles.
And this full-time faculty position adds to what is already a full plate for Abrams. Three weeks ago, she announced that she had joined Rewiring America as senior counsel. The nonprofit advocacy organization is at the center of the effort to move consumers from fossil fuels to cleaner energy.
Abrams is also co-founder of the Southern Economic Advancement Project, an environmentally focused think tank, and she is scheduled to release a sequel to her political thriller in May, which will be titled “Rogue Justice.” Under her pen name Selena Montgomery, Abrams is also scheduled to release a new romance novel in September.
At the time when she lost the election to Governor Kemp and speculation began about what her next career move would be, I suggested she may go back to writing. Looks like she is doing that. Believe it or not, she’s had a certain level of success with romance novels. At least that’s what has been reported. She uses the pen name Selena Montgomery.
Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick put out a brief statement about her appointment as the inaugural Walters endowed chair.
“Stacey Abrams has proven herself an essential voice and eager participant in protecting American democracy — not just for certain populations, but for everyone with the fundamental right to make their voices heard,” he said.
Uh-huh. Don’t kid us, Mr. President. She’s a voice for progressives, mostly black progressives. We’re familiar with her rhetoric.
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