Harvard University Launches Seminar Featuring Stacey Abrams as a “Political Mastermind”

Harvard University has promoted Stacey Abrams, who has twice failed in her bids for Georgia governor, as a “political mastermind” in the course description for a new fall 2025 seminar titled “Race, Gender, and the Law Through the Archive.” The course examines how race and gender have influenced American laws, emphasizing the role of Black women and non-binary individuals in shaping politics, grassroots movements, and the legal system from the Jim Crow era onward.

Stacey Abrams at a campaign event. — A new Harvard seminar has dubbed Stacey Abrams a “political mastermind” despite her electoral losses.

Despite losing two consecutive elections to Republican Brian Kemp in 2018 and 2022, and never having held a federal office, Abrams is recognized in the course materials as a significant figure in 21st-century black politics. The course description highlights prominent Black women who have impacted politics, including Michelle Obama, Abrams, and Kamala Harris, focusing on their influence in activism and governance.

The course, taught by professor Myisha Eatmon, explores how race, gender, and sexuality have shaped political ideologies through perspectives of civil rights leaders, writers, and legal theorists. Eatmon has previously made controversial statements, including claiming that “white privilege is a drug” in 2020, before closing her social media account.

Photo of professor Myisha Eatmon. — The course will be taught by professor Myisha Eatmon.

Historically, Abrams claimed her 2018 election was stolen but retracted those assertions when questioned, amid broader debates about election integrity. The course also emphasizes that law is often seen as subjective, and it analyzes the influence of civil rights activists on legal developments across history.