Academic and activist Cornel West has announced his running mate in his independent bid for the presidency, and she’s a prominent professor and activist herself with ties to Southern California.
Melina Abdullah, a professor of pan-African studies at Cal State L.A. and a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, is joining West in his outsider bid for the White House, as reported by CNN.
“She has a record of deep commitment and investment in ensuring that poor and working people are at the center of her vision,” West said when announcing Abdullah on “The Tavis Smiley Show.” “I wanted to to run with someone who would put a smile on the face of Fannie Lou Hamer and Martin Luther King Jr. from the grave.”
West, who has campaigned for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont)’s presidential bids, initially ran as a member of the People’s Party and Green Party before going independent.