“When I think of what I want, I don't think of it in terms of what I can personally do. I think of it in terms of what should be! When you start with what should be, then you sort of back into what can you do to be a part of it." – Stacey Abrams
On February 19, 2021, People For President Ben Jealous had the honor and privilege of interviewing Stacey Abrams – Georgia politician, founder of voter protection organization Fair Fight and personal friend of Jealous – on behalf of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. Their informative and humorous conversation covered a wide range of topics from Abrams’s family history, to the importance of passing the For The People Act (H.R. 1), to her 2018 gubernatorial race, and even her love for romance novels! Abrams further discussed how politicians should strive to not serve their self-interests, but to solve issues that affect their constituents -- which can only be known by political leaders who are effectively engaging with their constituencies. Abrams says that “only when you know what drives them, can you figure out how to steer them.”
Jealous brought up a personal anecdote about the card game of Spades near the end of the call, noting "every other politician in that race was playing poker and you [Abrams] were playing spades" and connecting Abrams’s political and organizing acumen with her status as an able Spades partner – in particular, honed skills such as being a good partner, trusting ones team, and a willingness to sacrifice in order to win.
To watch the full interview, click here: “A Conversation with Stacey Abrams, moderated by Benjamin Todd Jealous”