This is the fourth year of the Bookerista Of The Year awards. The breakdown of Booker Rising reader votes of the Top 5 finalists, who were selected by the most reader nominations: Rep. Tim Scott received 32.26% of the vote, Dambisa Moyo 30.65%, Rep. Allen West received 22.58%, Cory Booker 11.29%, and MP Lindiwe Mazibuko received 3.23%. For awhile, it was very tight between Rep. Scott and Dr. Moyo (who would've become the first female to win the honor).
Eleven people (44% of the total honorees) weren't on last year's list, and seven people have made the list for the very first time. Here are the individuals in the Top 25 Bookeristas of 2012.
1. Tim Scott, 47
2012 Bookerista Of The Year
Congressman & conservative Republican | Charleston, South Carolina, USA
2012 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; appointed to U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jim DeMint
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 5
The quieter one of Congress's two black Republicans, Rep. Scott's main focus is on business and tax issues affecting his district. However, Rep. Scott made strong moves this year to become a kingmaker in his state for the Republican presidential primary. He also maintained his leadership position (representing his Congressional class) within the House Republican Conference, and was named to the powerful House Ways & Means Committee. He was recently appointed to be Sen. Jim DeMint's successor, which will officially take place next month.
2. Dambisa Moyo, 43
Moderate-conservative economist | London, England/New York, USA
2012 claim to fame: discussing China's race for global resources
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 4
Booker Rising readers are big fans of Dr. Moyo, who has ranked in the Top 5 of this list every year since its inception in 2009. This year, the Zambian-born economist put out her third consecutive best-selling book, Winner Take All: China's Race For Resources & What It Means For The World. The book focused on how China's resource campaign for commodities is among the largest in history. Dr. Moyo posts on Twitter (where she has 76,000+ followers) and Facebook (28,000+ fans).
3. Allen West, 51
Congressman & conservative Republican | Plantation, Florida, USA
2012 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; being a rhetorical bomb-thrower
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 3
The firebrand politico — who was the 2010 Bookerista Of The Year — has no shortage of liberal haters. Of course, that only endears him to conservatives. What didn't Rep. West make a controversial comment about this year? He called U.S. President Barack Obama a "rigid Marxist ideologue" and referred to the Congressional Progressive Caucus (very liberal Democrats) as "members of the Community Party". You can count on the brotha speaking his mind. While Rep. West very narrowly lost his re-election campaign last month, he did raise $18 million in the process.
4. Cory Booker, 43
Mayor & moderate-liberal Democrat | City of Newark | Newark, New Jersey, USA
2012 claim to fame: working overtime for his constituents
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 20
Mayor Booker takes a hands-on approach to his job. Booker Rising readers took note, and he moved up 16 positions this year on the list. This year, he rescued his next-door neighbor from a burning building, he helped a pedestrian on the scene of a car accident, invited his neighbors to stay at his personal home to ride out Hurricane Sandy, and recently went on a one-week food stamp challenge to urge an increase in the benefit program. Mayor Booker is also known for his regular use of social media — especially Twitter, where he has 1.3 million+ followers — to help spread the word about his policies, and for raising money for local charities.
5. Lindiwe Mazibuko, 32
Moderate-liberal parliamentary leader | Democratic Alliance | Durban, South Africa
2012 claim to fame:chief opposition to the ruling ANC in South Africa's parliament; proponent of South African centrism
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 21
The #2 leader within her political party, MP Mazibuko is a big proponent of centrism in her country. When the African National Congress made a misstep, MP Mazibuko was on the case. She led the charge when students in Limpopo Province went without textbooks for months. She led protests demanding quality teachers and teacher accountability, despite being called the South African version of "an Oreo" and almost being run over by a a teachers' union representative in the process. When President Jacob Zuma used US$23 million in taxpayer money to upgrade his personal mansion, she led the charge in Parliament to call for a no-confidence vote on his corruption.
6. T.W. Shannon, 34
Conservative Republican politician | Lawton, Oklahoma, USA
2012 claim to fame: getting elected as the first black speaker of the Oklahoma state house
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
State Rep. Shannon made news this year by being elected the first black speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which officially commences early next year. This ascension would make him the only black Republican state House speaker in the country. A sixth-generation Oklahoman, State Rep. Shannon is also an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, USA's 13th-largest federally recognized Native American tribe.
7. Herman Cain, 67
Conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate | Atlanta metro, Georgia, USA
2012 claim to fame: promoting conservatism
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 1
Last year's Bookerista Of The Year continued to make headlines this year. He promoted Mitt Romney's failed presidential bid, he vocally criticized the policies of U.S. President Barack Obama, and he continued pitching tax reform. He even recently topped Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) in a GOP primary poll, although Mr. Cain stated that he is not interested in running for the U.S. Senate.
8. Crystal Wright, ageless
Conservative Republican blogger | Washington, D.C. metro, USA
2012 claim to fame: promoting conservatism
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
Through her Conservative Black Chick blog, Ms. Wright opined about a range of topics this year: why values matter more than gun control, criticizing Obamanomics and the Congressional Black Caucus's leadership, the need for the Republican Party to racially diversify, and fervently supporting Mitt Romney's presidential bid, among other topics.
9. John Hope Bryant, 46
Philanthropic entrepreneur & moderate | Operation HOPE |
Los Angeles, California, USA
2012 claim to fame: promoting financial literacy as the next Civil Rights Movement, in USA and abroad
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 12
Mr. Bryant is the founder of Operation HOPE, an L.A.-based organization that helps poor individuals and families achieve increased stability and self-reliance. Possessing an entrepreneurial background where he developed a $25 million business, he also serves on the President's Council on Financial Literacy.
10. Stacey Dash, 45Moderate Republican actress | California, USA
2012 claim to fame: bucking the Hollywood trend to endorse Mitt Romney for president
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
A former Democrat who backed Barack Obama's presidential bid in 2008, the centrist actress caught much heat this year — especially from black liberals — after tweeting her support for Mitt Romney's presidential bid. In addition to the usual ideologically-based criticism, she even experienced racial slurs and calls for her to kill herself for expressing her views. However, Ms. Dash didn't back down and the Romney-Ryan campaign even contacted her to express its gratitude for her support.
11. MP Helen Grant, 51Moderate-conservative politician & lawyer | House Of Commons | Maidstone & the Weald, England
2011 claim to fame: first black center-right woman in British cabinet
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
Earlier this year, MP Helen Grant made history by becoming the Conservative Party's first black female member to serve in the cabinet. MP Grant received her first government appointment in September, when she received the dual roles of Under-Secretary of State for Justice and Under-Secretary for Women and Equalities. The moderate-conservative politico represents the rural Maidstone & the Weald district. A lawyer born to a Nigerian father and a British mother, her law experience lies in family law and health care. In her spare time, she also tweets.
12. John Abraham Godson, 42Moderate-conservative parliamentarian and Platforma Obywatelska member | Sejm | Łódź, Poland
2012 claim to fame: one of two blacks in Poland's Parliament; challenging stereotypes about Poland's racial attitudes
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 7
This year, the Nigerian-born politico focused on challenging racism allegations against Polish soccer fans and racial stereotypes about the country in general. In addition, he promoted increased economic trade links between Poland and the African continent. A former Pentecostal minister, MP Godson also led the charge in criticizing government policies which reward growing single parenthood in Poland.
13. Mia Love, 372012 claim to fame: tried to become the first black conservative female in the U.S. Congress
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
Black. Conservative. Republican. Female. Mormon. A Utah resident. Yes, Mayor Love was definitely a unique politico in 2012 news. While she wasn't successful in her bid to unseat Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah), she came very damn close. Mayor Love also boosted her national profile this year with a brief-but-still-noticeable speaking gig at the Republican National Convention.
14. Michael Steele, 54 Moderate-conservative commentator | Prince George's County, Maryland, USA
2012 claim to fame: talking head on MSNBC
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
As a political analyst, the former RNC chairman talked about how the Republican Party must do a better job of attracting minority voters and should kick social issues to the curb. He also talked much smack about current RNC chairman Reince Priebus (his former right-hand man), and how the GOP had a lot of losses under Mr. Priebus's stewardship.
15. Thomas Sowell, 82 Conservative economist & syndicated columnist | Hoover Institution | metro San Francisco, California, USA
2012 claim to fame: father of contemporary U.S. black conservatism
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 6
Dr. Sowell was the 2009 Bookerista Of The Year. For more than 30 years, he has been holding court as America's most influential black conservative voice. He is also one of USA's most prominent conservatives, across race. In his weekly column - which is in more than 150 newspapers in USA and Canada - Dr. Sowell opines about economics, politics, & social issues.
16. Nana Akufo-Addo, 68 Moderate-conservative politician and party president | New Patriotic Party | Accra, Ghana
2012 claim to fame: ran for the presidency in Ghana
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas of 2011 list: *
After losing the presidency by less than 1 percent of the vote in 2008, Mr. Akufo-Addo was re-selected by his political party to make another bid. While the official tally showed that he garnered only 47.7% of the vote (to the ruling center-left's 50.7%), he did galvanize the center-right. Mr. Akufo-Addo's party is currently challenging the election results, citing voting irregularities.
17. Mmusi Maimane, 31Moderate-liberal city councilman and party spokesman | Democratic Alliance | Johannesburg, South Africa
2012 claim to fame: promoted the centrist opposition to the African National Congress
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
Mr. Maimane is currently the DA's spokesperson, a federal deputy chairperson within his political party (a position to which he was recently elected), and a city councilman in Johannesburg. The Soweto-born politico is a business consultant and trainer, and also lectures at the GIBS Business Institute. He also works with non-profits who specialize in HIV/AIDS, youth development, and rural development issues.
18. Juan Williams, 58Moderate-liberal commentator | Fox News Channel | USA
2012 claim to fame: center-left voice on Fox News Channel
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 9
The moderate-liberal commentator holds his ground as a Fox News contributor. He also contributes pieces to The Hill.
19. Walter E. Williams, 76Libertarian economics professor & syndicated columnist |
George Mason University | metro Washington, D.C., USA
2012 claim to fame: promoting limited government in USA
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 14
Since the 1980s, Walter E. Williams has been prominently arguing for laissez-faire capitalism and against Big Government. In his weekly column - which is syndicated in 140 newspapers across the U.S. - Dr. Williams opines about the role of economics in various facets of American life, discussing his field in language that laymen can understand.
20. Justice Malala, agelessModerate-conservative columnist | The Sunday Times |Johannesburg, South Africa
2012 claim to fame: keeping government officials accountable to citizens
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 13
In his weekly "Monday Morning Matters" column, Mr. Malala — who is one of South Africa's most respected political analysts — focuses on improving South Africa. Whether it's focusing on government malfeasance and out-of-control government spending, advocating for capitalism against efforts to nationalize South African industries, chastising Marxist politicians who claim to be "for the people" while living like royalty off the taxpayers, taking on the police for their "shoot to kill" policy, or opposing cultural practices that he believes are outdated, Mr. Malala is on the case.
21. Star Parker, 56Conservative Republican columnist and president of CURE |
Washington, D.C., USA
2012 claim to fame: promoting limited government and social conservatism
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 11
A syndicated columnist with Scripps Howard News Service, Ms. Parker's weekly column focuses on reducing government and promoting Judeo-Christian values. She is also the founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education.
22. James Shikwati, 42Libertarian activist | Inter-Region Economic Network | Nairobi, Kenya
2012 claim to fame: training Africans to be entrepreneurs
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
As head of the Inter-Region Economic Network, Mr. Shikwati's goal is to get more Africans to create wealth through free enterprise. The Kenyan activist works with small farmers to help them increase their agriculture output, trains university students on free-market principles, and holds activities to get youth involved in entpreneurship. He is also one of the people behind The African Executive website, and writes a weekly column in Business Daily (Kenya) about organically building Africa's skill base.
23. Andrew Mwenda, ageless Libertarian journalist | The Independent | Kampala, Uganda
2012 claim to fame: press freedom in Uganda
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: 17
As founder of The Independent, Mr. Mwenda focuses like a laser on government malfeasance and Big Government to help ensure accountability to Ugandan citizens. He is so vocal that he has been detained by police in the past, and they frequently harass him and his staff.
24. Chidike Okeem, 23Conservative Republican blogger | Sacramento, California, USA
2012 claim to fame: promoting conservatism
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
Through his blog, VoiceOfChid.com, Mr. Okeem — a Nigerian-born Brit who became a naturalized U.S. citizen earlier this year — opined about a range of topics this year: why Mitt Romney would not beat President Barack Obama in the presidential race, his personal religious opposition to Mormonism (he is no fan of either Mr. Romney or Mia Love), why the Republican Party should focus more on the black vote than the Hispanic vote, the War On Drugs, and taking white conservatives to task for racial double standards in a variety of political and social scenarios.
25. AlfonZo Rachel, 40Conservative Republican vlogger | Macho Sauce Productions | Los Angeles metro, California, USA
2012 claim to fame: using videos to promote black conservatism
Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list: *
The video blogger holds court on Pajamas Media's website, where he has done videos since 2009. Whether the topic is the Obama administration's policies, abortion, health care, conservative women, affirmative action, or the Tea Party movement, Mr. Rachel has something to say about it.
