WASHINGTON – The 2020-2021 Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy Lecture Series, chaired by political strategist and author Donna Brazile, will return Wednesday, February 24 at 5 p.m. online via Zoom meeting. The lecture, titled “Democracy on the Crossroads,” will feature Brazile in conversation with Lt. Govs. Garlin Gilchrist II of Michigan and Mandela Barnes of Wisconsin to discuss democracy, social justice and the recent presidential election. Registration is now open.

An engineer by training, Gilchrist uses thoughtful innovation, progressive reform and efficient modernization of policies and programs to make work better for hardworking families. From spearheading campaigns for equality and justice to harnessing technology to solve real problems, his focus has consistently remained on serving the public and getting things done. Gilchrist earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, graduating with honors, and later had a successful career as a software engineer at Microsoft, helping to build SharePoint into the fastest growing product in the company’s history. Gilchrist has sought to address injustice and inequity across Michigan.

Barnes is the first African-American to serve as lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. In 2012, at the age of 25, Barnes was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, making him only the second African-American to hold statewide office in Wisconsin. As lieutenant governor, Barnes serves as chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change and also serves on the Governor’s Health Equity Council, Wisconsin Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Wisconsin Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force and the statewide 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. He uses a platform of sustainability and equity to fight for solutions that invest in opportunities and fairness for every child, person and family in Wisconsin, regardless of zip code.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu