Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Cornel West Announces Dr. Melina Abdullah as 2024 Vice Presidential Running Mate on The Tavis Smiley Show
[Los Angeles, California] – Dr. Cornel West, Independent Presidential Candidate, introduced Dr. Melina Abdullah as his choice for Vice President in the 2024 presidential election. The announcement of his running mate was made on The Tavis Smiley Show and marked a significant milestone in the campaign's commitment to fighting for a society and world based on justice, equality, and the empowerment of poor and working class people of all colors.
"At this historic and pivotal moment, it is my profound honor to stand alongside my dear sister, Dr. Melina Abdullah, a fierce and tireless advocate for truth, justice, and transformative change,” Dr. West proudly announced. “Sister Melina’s incredible courage, keen intellect, and deep vision have greatly served the cause of liberation in education, worker rights, and both racial and gender justice. Her unique Black analysis and witness helps us confront our crumbling era of empire, white supremacy, and patriarchy. I look forward to working with her as we strengthen our commitment in our campaign for truth, justice and love!"
Melina Abdullah is a revered Professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, and a long-time celebrated community organizer. She is known for her work as a union mobilizer, a founding member of the Black Lives Matter movement and Director of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, and an advocate for systemic change through educational, community, and political organizing.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to join Dr. Cornel West as his Vice Presidential candidate at this critical moment as we work together for transformative change. This campaign offers a real vision for the world that stands in opposition to oppressive forces and holds fast to the universal principles of truth, justice, and love.
As we work arm-in-arm with justice-loving people everywhere, we reimagine and work to build a world that chooses goodwill over greed, courage over cowardice, and liberation over exploitation. Together, we are igniting a movement to not only dismantle harmful systems, but establish the firm foundations of a just, nurturing, and free world."
Dr. Abdullah’s academic and activist work profoundly aligns particularly with the Cornel West campaign’s Gender, Transformative, Racial, Worker and Education Justice Pillars:
• Transformative Justice: Her leadership in the Black Lives Matter movement and initiatives such as the #PeoplesBudget and #BlackXmas showcase her commitment to policy changes that seek to fundamentally reshape society to uplift those at the margins.
• Gender Justice: Abdullah has been a vanguard in advocating for the rights and recognition of women, particularly Black women, within both the academic and broader social ecosystems.
• Racial Justice: As a founder of the Black Lives Matter chapter in Los Angeles and an outspoken advocate for police reform and community empowerment, Abdullah's work has been pivotal in addressing systemic racial inequities.
• Worker Justice: With years of experience as a union leader, Abdullah has fought tirelessly for the rights of workers, advocating for fair conditions, equitable pay, and a voice for faculty and staff in the university system.
• Education Justice: Her efforts were instrumental in making Ethnic Studies a requirement in the Los Angeles Unified School District and the California State University system, ensuring future generations understand the diverse histories and contributions of all peoples.
The Cornel West campaign invites all to join the growing groundswell of radical, people-powered change galvanizing a nation growing weary of equally destructive false “choices.” With this announcement, the campaign is currently pursuing an aggressive 50-state strategy to gain independent ballot access for every voter in the upcoming presidential election, encouraging every citizen to value their vote and dismantle the corporate-backed duopoly.
