Career Timeline of Cornel West: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Cornel West made an impact.

Cornel West is a prominent American philosopher, theologian, political activist, and public intellectual known for his outspoken voice in left-wing politics. He ran as an independent candidate in the 2024 United States presidential election. West's work often addresses issues of race, class, and justice, drawing from a variety of intellectual traditions, including Marxism, pragmatism, and prophetic Christianity. He is a social critic who engages in public discourse on contemporary issues and is recognized for his contributions to American intellectual life.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1980: Received Ph.D. from Princeton

In 1980, Cornel West received a Ph.D. from Princeton University, becoming the first African American to graduate with a Ph.D. in philosophy from that institution.

1984: Joined Yale Divinity School

In 1984, Cornel West went to Yale Divinity School, holding a joint appointment in American studies.

1987: Punishment and Commute to University of Paris

In 1987, after being arrested during campus protests at Yale, Cornel West's leave was canceled, leading him to commute to the University of Paris in Saint-Denis while teaching two classes at Yale.

1988: Professor at Princeton

In 1988, Cornel West became a professor of religion and director of the program in African American Studies at Princeton University.

1993: Race Matters Publication

In 1993, Cornel West published "Race Matters", one of his most influential books.

1994: Professor at Harvard

In 1994, Cornel West accepted an appointment as professor of African American studies at Harvard University.

1998: Alphonse Fletcher University Professor

In 1998, Cornel West was appointed the first Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University and was also inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa at SUNY Plattsburgh.

2000: Senior Advisor to Bill Bradley

In 2000, Cornel West worked as a senior advisor to Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley, later supporting Ralph Nader after Bradley's primary loss.

2000: Meeting with Lawrence Summers

In 2000, Lawrence Summers, the new president of Harvard, reportedly rebuked Cornel West for various issues, including missed classes and his CD "Sketches of My Culture", leading to tension between them.

2001: Appeared in The Matrix Reloaded

In 2001, Cornel West appeared as Councillor West in "The Matrix Reloaded".

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2001: Released Sketches of My Culture

In 2001, Cornel West released his first album, "Sketches of My Culture".

2002: Returned to Princeton

In 2002, Cornel West returned to Princeton University after leaving Harvard.

2003: Appeared in The Matrix Revolutions

In 2003, Cornel West appeared as Councillor West in "The Matrix Revolutions" and provided the voice for the character in the video game "Enter the Matrix".

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2004: Advised Al Sharpton's Presidential Campaign

In 2004, Cornel West advised Al Sharpton's presidential campaign.

2004: Democracy Matters Publication

In 2004, Cornel West published "Democracy Matters", another of his influential books.

Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism

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2004: Released Street Knowledge

In 2004, Cornel West released his album "Street Knowledge".

2004: Supported John Kerry

In 2004, Cornel West, despite supporting Ralph Nader in 2000, signed the "Vote to Stop Bush" statement, urging voters in swing states to vote for John Kerry.

2006: Founded Center for African American Studies

In 2006, Cornel West helped found the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University.

November 29, 2007: Speech at the Apollo Theater in Harlem

On November 29, 2007, Cornel West spoke to over 1,000 of Barack Obama's supporters at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, publicly supporting the 2008 Democratic presidential candidate.

2007: Released Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations

In 2007, Cornel West released his third album, "Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations", which included collaborations with Prince, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Andre 3000, KRS-One, Killer Mike, and Gerald Levert.

2008: Appearance in Examined Life

In 2008, Cornel West appeared in the documentary film "Examined Life", discussing philosophy.

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2008: Contribution to Call+Response Documentary

In 2008, Cornel West contributed his insights on the global issue of modernized slavery and human trafficking in the documentary Call+Response. He also became a member of the Campaign for Peace and Democracy.

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2008: Support for Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign

In 2008, Cornel West publicly supported Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, making 65 speeches in support of the campaign, but he worried privately that Obama was the "Johnny Mathis of American politics".

2009: Appeared in Still Bill

In 2009, Cornel West appeared in conversation with Bill Withers in the documentary "Still Bill".

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2009: Recitation of "Jim Crow"

In 2009, Cornel West recorded a recitation of John Mellencamp's song "Jim Crow" for inclusion on the singer's box set On the Rural Route 7609.

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2010: Recording with Cornel West Theory

In 2010, Cornel West completed recording with the Cornel West Theory, a hip hop band endorsed by West.

2011: Featured on Immortal Technique's "Sign of the Times"

In 2011, Cornel West appeared on Immortal Technique's song "Sign of the Times", which appeared on the album The Martyr.

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2011: Participation in 'Poverty Tour' with Tavis Smiley

In 2011, Cornel West participated in a "Poverty Tour" with Tavis Smiley, which became a two-part special on their radio program, Smiley & West, and a five-night special on the PBS television program Tavis Smiley.

May 2012: Guest Starred in 30 Rock

In May 2012, Cornel West guest-starred in the sixth season of "30 Rock", in the episode "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?".

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2012: Publication of 'The Rich and the Rest of Us'

In 2012, Cornel West and Tavis Smiley recounted their experience on the Poverty Tour in their bestselling book, The Rich and the Rest of Us, which aimed to highlight the plight of the impoverished population of the United States prior to the 2012 presidential election.

The Rich And The Rest Of Us: A Poverty Manifesto

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2012: Returned to Union Theological Seminary

In 2012, Cornel West left Princeton and returned to Union Theological Seminary.

2012: Featured on Brother Ali's "Letter to My Countrymen"

In 2012, Cornel West was featured on Brother Ali's song "Letter to My Countrymen", which appeared on the album Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color.

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2014: Co-Initiation of Stop Mass Incarceration Network

In 2014, Cornel West co-initiated the Stop Mass Incarceration Network, a project of the Revolutionary Communist Party USA. Later that year, he and RCP chairman Bob Avakian took part in a filmed discussion on "Religion and Revolution".

August 24, 2015: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders

On August 24, 2015, Cornel West tweeted his endorsement of Bernie Sanders, stating that he is a long-distance runner with integrity in the struggle for justice for over 50 years.

July 2016: Endorsement of Jill Stein for President

In July 2016, after Bernie Sanders exited the presidential race, Cornel West endorsed Green Party nominee Jill Stein and her running mate Ajamu Baraka, referring to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as a "neoliberal disaster".

November 2016: Returned to Harvard

In November 2016, Cornel West returned to Harvard as Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy.

2020: Co-host of The Tight Rope Podcast

As of 2020, Cornel West is the co-host, along with Tricia Rose, of the podcast "The Tight Rope".

2020: Support for Bernie Sanders' Presidential Bid

In 2020, Cornel West once again put his support behind Bernie Sanders, who mounted a second presidential bid in that election cycle.

February 2021: Tenure Denial at Harvard

In February 2021, reports surfaced that Cornel West was denied tenure consideration at Harvard, leading to threats of departure.

March 8, 2021: Announcement of Departure from Harvard

On March 8, 2021, Cornel West announced his departure from Harvard and a return to Union Theological Seminary.

June 30, 2021: Resignation from Harvard

On June 30, 2021, Cornel West submitted his resignation letter to Harvard University.

July 1, 2021: Rejoined Union Theological Seminary

On July 1, 2021, Cornel West rejoined the faculty of Union Theological Seminary, holding the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair.

June 5, 2023: Announcement of Presidential Run

On June 5, 2023, Cornel West announced he would run in the 2024 presidential election under the People's Party, sparking criticism due to the party's lack of ballot access and other issues.

October 5, 2023: Abandoning Green Party Nomination

On October 5, 2023, Cornel West announced that he was abandoning his strive for the Green Party nomination, and would instead continue his presidential bid as an independent candidate.

February 1, 2024: Establishment of the Justice For All Party

On February 1, 2024, Cornel West announced the establishment of the Justice For All Party (JFA), which he claimed would pursue a strategy of securing ballot access in specific areas.

August 2024: Polling Below 1% Nationally

As of August 2024, Cornel West was polling below 1% nationally, his campaign was $17,000 in debt, and he was no longer actively campaigning.

August 2024: Disqualification from Michigan Ballot

In August 2024, Cornel West and his running mate Melina Abdullah were both disqualified and denied entry onto the 2024 Michigan presidential election ballot.

2024: Green Party Nomination Pursuit

In 2024, Cornel West decided to seek the Green Party nomination instead, running a campaign centered around support for Medicare for All, public housing, action on climate change, and drastically cutting the U.S. military budget.