Civil rights advocate Bakari Sellers to keynote OU’s 2026 Keeper of the Dream Celebration

Attorney, author and civil rights advocate Bakari Sellers will be the keynote speaker at Oakland University’s 34th annual Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration. 

A two-time New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and political commentator, Sellers forged his path early on, graduating from Morehouse College at age 16 and earning a law degree from the University of South Carolina. At 22, he became the youngest legislator in the South Carolina Legislature, serving in the House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014. 

Sellers continues to build upon the strong legacy he inherited as the son of Gwendolyn Sellers and civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers. While his dad helped shape movements working alongside Stokely Carmichael, Bayard Rustin and Malcolm X, Sellers has helped write the blueprint for today's movements with the likes of Rep. James Clyburn, Attorney Benjamin Crump and President Barack Obama. 

Sellers also published a memoir, “My Vanishing Country,” and a children’s book, “Who Are Your People?,” both of which pay homage to the working-class values that encouraged him to “dream wide open” and pursue his passion for diversity, equity and inclusion in the U.S. and abroad.

His third book “The Moment,” expands on the issues he addressed in his New York Times bestselling memoir, examining national politics and policies that deeply impact not only Black people in his home state of South Carolina, but the lives of millions of African Americans in communities across the nation.

In his role as a CNN analyst, Sellers brings an ability to elevate discourse in the spirit of helping others. He combines these and many other talents in his new podcast, “The Bakari Sellers Podcast,” which airs twice a week on the Ringer Podcast Network.

Sellers has been an attorney with the Strom Law Firm in Columbia, South Carolina since 2007, where he heads up the firm's strategic communication and public affairs team and DEI consulting practice. He is married to Dr. Ellen Rucker-Sellers, and they are the proud parents of three children.

The Keeper of the Dream Awards Celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19, 2026, in the Oakland Center Founders Ballrooms. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Established in 1993, the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards recognize Oakland University student leaders who have contributed to Dr. King’s legacy by breaking down cultural stereotypes and promoting interracial understanding. In the past three decades, more than 150 students have been awarded Keeper of the Dream scholarships totaling more than $750,000.

The  2026 Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration is sponsored by Oakland University Credit Union, Corewell Health, Comerica Bank, Whirlpool, Fifth Third Bank, Magna, Lynne & Lia McIntosh Scholarship, Lynne A. McIntosh Memorial Scholarship, Oakland University Alumni Association, Oakland University Black Alumni Chapter, Kaniqua and Stefen J. Welch, DTE Energy Foundation and First State Bank.

This year's Keeper of the Dream honorary co-chairs are Kaniqua and Stefen J. Welch. Kaniqua serves as vice president of communications and marketing for the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Stefen is vice president of public affairs for the NBA's Detroit Pistons. Stefen also serves on Oakland University’s Board of Trustees and Kaniqua serves on the Board of Directors for the Oakland University Alumni Association. Both Kaniqua and Stefen are proud OU graduates. 

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Interested parties can contact Christine Talbert at [email protected] to learn more about supporting this event.

For additional event information, contact the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at [email protected] or (248) 370-4404.