Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams came into the national public eye during her historic run for governor of Georgia in 2018. Her candidacy marked a pivotal moment in American politics. Had she won, she would have become the first Black woman in U.S. history to be elected governor—a groundbreaking achievement with far-reaching implications. Her campaign was not only notable for its ambition but also for its bold and inclusive vision that resonated with people far beyond Georgia’s borders.
Abrams’s gubernatorial campaign drew passionate support across the country, fueled by her clear message on voting rights, equity, and representation. She energized voters from all backgrounds, particularly young people, women, and communities of color who saw in her campaign a reflection of their hopes and challenges. Her historic run galvanized grassroots movements and sparked national conversations about race, gender, and power in American politics.
Despite receiving more votes than any Democrat in Georgia’s history, Abrams ultimately lost the election. The loss, however, was mired in controversy. Concerns arose regarding the election’s integrity, particularly around voter suppression and the mishandling of voter rolls and polling locations. These issues brought national attention to long-standing problems in the electoral process, especially in underserved and minority communities.
Rather than retreat from public life, Abrams responded with resolve and vision. In the aftermath of the election, she founded Fair Fight Action, an organization focused on promoting free and fair elections. Through Fair Fight, Abrams has become one of the country’s leading voices on voting rights, working to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot without obstruction or intimidation.
Abrams’s determination to fight for fairness and equity did not begin with her 2018 campaign. It is the foundation of her life’s work. Long before she became a household name, she served as minority leader in the Georgia House of Representatives, where she earned a reputation for thoughtful, effective leadership. Her efforts consistently centered on breaking barriers for marginalized communities and expanding access to opportunity.
Over the years, Abrams has also built an impressive career outside of politics. She is a Yale-trained attorney, a serial entrepreneur, and the founder of several organizations aimed at public service and civic engagement. Her work spans the nonprofit, business, and political sectors, giving her a uniquely broad perspective on leadership and change-making in America.
In the wake of her elevated profile following the 2018 election, many began speculating about Abrams’s political future. Among the possibilities frequently discussed is a presidential run—a dream she openly acknowledged as a young girl and which she details in her acclaimed book, Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change. In it, Abrams reflects on how she turned that audacious childhood ambition into a lifelong mission.
Lead from the Outside is part memoir, part leadership guide. Through it, Abrams offers readers a candid look at her journey—complete with successes, failures, and everything in between. She shares the hard-earned lessons that helped shape her path and hopes to inspire others, particularly those who have been historically marginalized, to believe in their own potential to lead and make change.
In the book, Abrams discusses her diverse professional experiences—as a legislator, entrepreneur, and nonprofit executive—and the different types of leadership required in each role. She emphasizes that leadership isn’t confined to politics or business; it’s a mindset and a commitment to serving others with clarity, courage, and purpose.
A key theme throughout Abrams’s work is that failure is not final. She encourages readers to embrace mistakes as part of the process of growth. “Making mistakes and failing isn’t fatal,” she writes, “as long as we are willing to learn from it.” This message is especially important for those who may feel they don’t belong in traditional halls of power.
In an interview with writer Marianne Schnall, Abrams expands on her reasons for writing the book. She explains that she often receives two questions: “How did you do it?” and “How can I?” These questions, she says, motivated her to provide not just inspiration, but real, practical steps for others to follow—especially people from communities often left out of leadership conversations.
She also realized that in order to make her lessons resonate, she had to share her personal story. “People need to know what this looks like,” she said. For Abrams, storytelling became a tool for empowerment. By revealing the setbacks and victories that shaped her, she made space for others to see their own journeys reflected in hers.
Though widely known for her political leadership, Abrams makes it clear that the tools of effective leadership are not exclusive to one industry or role. The lessons she teaches in Lead from the Outside apply to entrepreneurs, educators, activists, and anyone who feels like an outsider trying to find their voice and create meaningful change.
As she continues her work through Fair Fight and other endeavors, Stacey Abrams remains a powerful example of what principled, courageous leadership can look like. Her story is one of persistence, vision, and service—a reminder that leadership is not about titles, but about action, impact, and the ability to inspire others to believe in the power of their own voice.
