Bakari Sellers: Attorney and CNN Commentator at Strom Law Firm

Attorney | Civil Rights Advocate | Political Commentator | Author
📍 Columbia, South Carolina

A Legacy of Advocacy and Justice

Bakari Sellers has spent his life fighting for justice, equality, and the power of community. As an attorney with Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., he represents clients in civil rights, criminal defense, personal injury, and government accountability cases, carrying forward a lifelong mission to protect the vulnerable and hold powerful institutions accountable.

Born and raised in Denmark, South Carolina, Bakari was shaped by both his family’s history and his own determination to create change. The son of civil rights icon Dr. Cleveland Sellers, Bakari grew up surrounded by stories of courage, sacrifice, and perseverance. That legacy instilled in him a deep belief in justice, fairness, and public service — values that continue to guide his work inside and outside the courtroom.

Education and Early Career

Bakari graduated from Morehouse College, one of the nation’s most prestigious historically Black colleges, where he cultivated his passion for leadership and social justice. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law, preparing for a career that would bridge law, politics, and public advocacy.

In 2006, at just 22 years old, Bakari made history as the youngest African American elected official in the United States, serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives for nearly a decade. During his time in office, he worked tirelessly to address issues that directly impact working families and underserved communities — championing education reform, healthcare access, criminal justice reform, and economic development.

His legislative career reflected both courage and compassion: he wasn’t afraid to challenge systemic injustices or stand up for those without a voice. His ability to connect with people from all backgrounds made him one of the most respected young leaders in South Carolina politics.

Legal Practice at Strom Law Firm

At Strom Law Firm, Bakari Sellers has become a powerful advocate for individuals and families across South Carolina. His legal practice focuses on civil rights, police misconduct, wrongful death, personal injury, and government negligence.

He represents clients who have been wronged by powerful institutions — whether it’s government agencies that violate citizens’ rights, corporations that cause harm through negligence, or systems that perpetuate inequality. Bakari’s commitment is simple: to ensure that every person, regardless of race, class, or circumstance, has access to justice.

Through his work with the Strom Law team, Bakari combines strategic litigation, public advocacy, and community engagement to drive real change. He believes that the law is not just a profession, but a platform for transformation — one that can give power back to the people.

Leadership and National Recognition

In addition to his legal practice, Bakari Sellers is known across the country as a CNN political commentator, author, and national voice for social justice. He has appeared regularly on major news networks to discuss race, law, and public policy, offering a balanced and deeply informed perspective shaped by both legal expertise and lived experience.

Bakari is the author of the New York Times bestseller My Vanishing Country, a powerful memoir that chronicles his life growing up in the rural South and his ongoing fight to uplift overlooked communities. He is also the author of the children’s book Who Are Your People?, which celebrates identity, heritage, and resilience.

His influence extends far beyond South Carolina. Bakari has been recognized by Time Magazine, Ebony, and The Root as one of the nation’s top young leaders. He has spoken at universities, corporations, and conferences nationwide, inspiring audiences to pursue justice, equality, and civic engagement.

Commitment to Community

Bakari Sellers believes that true leadership begins with service. Outside of the courtroom and the media spotlight, he is deeply engaged in local and statewide community initiatives. He works with nonprofit organizations to expand access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity — particularly in rural and historically underserved parts of South Carolina.

He has supported scholarship programs, youth mentorship initiatives, and voter education campaigns that empower the next generation of leaders. Bakari also frequently volunteers his time to speak at schools and community events, encouraging young people to believe in their ability to change the world around them.

His dedication to community service reflects a simple but powerful philosophy: “The measure of success is not what you achieve for yourself, but what you help others achieve.”

In the Courtroom and Beyond

At Strom Law Firm, Bakari’s approach to advocacy blends empathy, precision, and purpose. He works closely with clients who have endured trauma, loss, or discrimination — listening to their stories, building strong cases, and fighting relentlessly to ensure they are heard.

Whether representing victims of police brutality, employees wrongfully terminated for speaking up, or families devastated by preventable injuries, Bakari stands as a steadfast advocate for fairness and accountability. His legal career is not just about winning cases; it’s about restoring dignity, hope, and justice.

Awards and Honors

Bakari Sellers’ career has been marked by national and international recognition for his achievements in law, politics, and civil rights advocacy. Some of his most notable awards and honors include:

• 🏛 The Root 100 – Named multiple times to The Root 100, recognizing the most influential African Americans under 40.
• 🕊 Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 – Honored among leaders shaping the future of Black America across politics, law, and media.
• ⏰ Time Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in Politics – Recognized as one of the most promising young political voices in America.
• 🏆 NAACP Image Award Nominee – For his literary and community work, celebrating his contributions to African American culture and advocacy.
• 📚 New York Times Bestseller – Author of My Vanishing Country, a critically acclaimed memoir exploring social, racial, and economic divides.
• 🎤 Frequent CNN Political Commentator – Providing trusted legal and political analysis on major national issues, including civil rights, elections, and social justice.
• 🏫 Morehouse College Humanitarian Award – Recognized for his leadership, mentorship, and lifelong dedication to public service.
• 🌍 Harvard Kennedy School Visiting Fellow (2021) – Invited to share his insights on race, governance, and leadership with the next generation of policymakers.
• 🎓 Honorary Doctorate, South Carolina State University – Awarded for outstanding contributions to public service and advocacy in his home state.
• 💬 Keynote Speaker at Major National Events – Including the NAACP National Convention, National Urban League Conference, and numerous university commencements across the U.S.
• ⚖️ South Carolina Young Democrat of the Year – Honored for groundbreaking leadership and impact on state politics and policy reform.

In recognition of his leadership, advocacy, and impact in communities across the country, Bakari Sellers has been awarded multiple honorary doctorate degrees from distinguished institutions. He received an honorary doctorate from Saint Augustine’s University in 2016 and was honored by the University of the Virgin Islands in 2019, where he also served as commencement keynote speaker. Most recently, Lemoyne-Owen College awarded him an honorary doctorate following his Mother’s Day commencement address. These acknowledgments reflect Sellers’ continued commitment to education, public service, and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Each recognition reflects Bakari’s unwavering belief that leadership is about service, and that justice is best pursued through courage, compassion, and community.

Speaking, Writing, and Advocacy

Beyond his legal work at the Strom Law Firm, Bakari Sellers is widely recognized as a national voice on issues of race, democracy, and civic responsibility. He is frequently invited to speak at institutions across the country — from leading universities to community organizations — where he emphasizes the importance of empathy, engagement, and a commitment to justice in shaping the future of our nation.

Sellers is also the author of The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Was, That Is, and That Is to Come, a compelling and deeply personal examination of race, justice, and the ongoing pursuit of equality in America. Through a blend of personal narrative and historical context, he offers readers both clarity and challenge, further establishing himself as a thoughtful leader in the national dialogue on civil rights and social change.

He reminds audiences that meaningful progress requires persistence — and that the fight for equality must continue in our courts, in our classrooms, and throughout the communities we serve.

Contact Bakari Sellers

📍 Office: Strom Law Firm, L.L.C.
6923 N. Trenholm Rd., Columbia, South Carolina 29206
📞 Phone: (803) 252-4800
📧 Email: bsellers@stromlaw.com

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Cases Bakari Sellers Handles

Alcohol Beverage License Defense, ATV Accident Attorney, Automobile Accidents Lawyers, Birth Injury Lawyers, Boat Accident Lawyers, Bus Accident Lawyers, Burn Injury Lawyers, Brain Injury Lawyers, Business and Commercial Litigation, Business Formations, Bicycle Accident Attorney,  Catastrophic Injuries, Car Accident Lawyers, Child Injuries/ Daycare abuse, Civil Rights Lawyers, Class Actions, Construction Accident Lawyers, Criminal Defense Lawyers, Criminal Domestic Violence, Crime Victims Lawyer, Child Product Injury, Child, Seat Defect, Crib Injury, , Daycare Accident and Child Injury Lawyer, Defective Bed Handle, Defective Bicycle, Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer, Divorce Lawyers, Dog Bite Lawyers, Dram Shop Liability, Drowning Accident Lawyers, Drug Charges, Lawyers, Electrical Injury Lawyer, Fatal Car Accident Lawyer, Victims of Drunk Drivers, DUI  Lawyers, Employment Lawyers, Family Law Lawyers, Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers, Hit and Run Accident Lawyer, Injury Lawyer, IRS Representation Lawyers, Lyft Ride-Share, Accident Lawyers, Pedestrian Accident Lawyers, Jail Death Lawyers, Medical Malpractice Lawyers, Motorcycle Accident Lawyers, Negligent Security Lawyers, Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Personal Injury Lawyer, Pharmaceutical Liability Lawyers, Premises Liability Lawyers, Products Liability Lawyers, Probate Lawyers, Professional License Defense Lawyers, Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers, Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer, Qui-Tam Lawyers or Whistleblower Lawyers, Sexual Harassment Lawyers, Social Security Disability Lawyers, Strom Family Law, Retail License Defense Lawyers, RoundUP Lawsuit, Tax Planning Lawyers, Tire, Blowout Accident Lawyer, Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers, Trucking Accident Lawyers, Toxic Torts Lawyers, Veterns Benefits lawyers, Will Contest Lawyers, Worker’s Compensation Lawyers, Work Injury lawyer, Wrongful Death Lawyers, Uber Accident Lawyer, I-26 Accident Lawyer, I-20 Accident Lawyer, I-77 Accident Lawyer, I-85 Accident Lawyer, I-95 Accident Lawyer, Camp Lejeune water contamination.

Civil Rights in the Media

Primary Areas We Serve

• South Carolina

• Georgia

• Columbia

•  Lexington

• Orangeburg

• Camden

• Winnsboro

• Sumter

• Newberry

• St. Matthews

• Bamberg

• Bishopville

Bakari Sellers