Keith Boykin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keith Boykin
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St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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Keith Boykin is an American TV and film producer, writer, and a well-known political commentator, which means he shares his opinions on government and current events on news programs. He once worked as an aide to President Bill Clinton in the White House. He wrote about his experiences in his 2022 book, Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Missouri and Florida
Keith Boykin was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He lived in a suburb called Florissant. From a young age, he was interested in government and being a leader. He was active in student government and played sports like track-and-field and wrestling.
When he was fifteen, Keith moved to Florida with his father. At his new school, he became the student government president and an editor for the school newspaper. He was also a skilled debater and a track-and-field athlete.
College and Law School
In 1983, Keith started college at Dartmouth College. He was a top student and won awards for his achievements. In 1987, he received the Barrett Cup, an award given to the most outstanding student in the graduating class.
After college, he worked for Michael Dukakis's presidential campaign. In 1989, he began studying at Harvard Law School. At Harvard, he worked on a law journal and joined a student group called The Coalition for Civil Rights. The group worked to get more diverse professors at the law school.
Career in Politics and Media
Working in the White House
After graduating from Harvard in 1992, Boykin worked on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. When Clinton won the election, Boykin became a Special Assistant to the President at the White House.
In this role, he helped organize an important meeting in April 1993. It was the first time a U.S. president officially met with leaders from the LGBTQ community. This was a major step forward for LGBTQ rights.
Author and Activist
Boykin left the White House in 1995 to write his first book, One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America. He later wrote Beyond the Down Low: ..., Lies, and Denial in Black America, which became a New York Times bestseller.
In late 1995, Boykin became the leader of the National Black Gay and Lesbian Forum. This group worked to support Black gay and lesbian people. He also helped start the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) in 2003. The NBJC's goal is to end racism and prejudice against Black LGBTQ people.
TV and Journalism
Boykin has had a long career in television. In 2004, he and his partner at the time, Nathan Hale Williams, were the first openly Black gay couple on a reality TV show called "American Candidate."
He co-hosted a show called "My Two Cents" on the BET J channel and was an associate producer for the movie "Dirty Laundry." For many years, he worked as a political commentator for news channels like CNBC and CNN. He has appeared on many other shows on MSNBC, Fox News, and BET.
Boykin has also written for famous newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post. His articles have been featured in magazines such as VIBE and Jet.
Personal Life
Boykin comes from a family with a history of leadership. His great-great-grandfather was a leader in the Masons of Florida. His great-grandfather, Horatio Dickerson, was a soldier in the famous Harlem Hellfighters during World War I. His grandfather was a school principal in Florida.
In 2006, Boykin showed his athletic skill by winning a gold medal in wrestling at the Gay Games.
He met his biological father for the first time in 2015. Today, Boykin lives in both Los Angeles and New York City. He has two godsons, whom he calls his "sons."
Published Works
- One More River to Cross: Black & Gay in America, Anchor Publisher, 1996, ISBN: 978-0385479837
- "Respecting the Soul: Daily Reflections for Black Lesbians and Gays", Avon Books, April 1, 1999, ISBN: 0380800217
- "Beyond the Down Low: ..., Lies, and Denial in Black America", Carroll & Graf, December 13, 2004, ISBN: 0786714344
- "Race Against Time: The Politics of a Darkening America", Bold Type Books, September 14, 2021, ISBN: 978-1645037262
- "Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom," Scribd Originals, October 12, 2022, ISBN: 978-1094451107
- "Why Does Everything Have to Be About Race?", Bold Type Books, January 23, 2024, ISBN: 978-1541703315
See also
- Broadcast journalism
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of LGBT people from New York City
- New Yorkers in journalism
- NYC Pride March
