Menu
Karen Finney

Personal Background and Advocacy

Karen Finney is of mixed heritage, with an African American father and a mother who is a distant relative of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. During her childhood, she faced instances of racial discrimination, including being initially denied access to her grandfather’s home in North Carolina. Their relationship later improved, and she met him when she was 16 years old. These personal experiences shaped her strong advocacy for racial equality and civil rights. Finney is also a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, emphasizing inclusivity across multiple spheres of society.

Related Biography: Jenny Harrison

Political Career and Media Involvement

Karen Finney has built a distinguished career in political consulting and media. She began working with MSNBC in 2009 and became well known as the host of Disrupt with Karen Finney, which aired on weekends from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Her career spans over 16 years of experience in political campaigns, communications, and strategic media consulting.

She was a key figure in the Clinton administration, serving as Deputy Press Secretary to First Lady Hillary Clinton. In 2000, Finney was Press Secretary for Hillary Clinton’s successful U.S. Senate campaign. She also led communications efforts during Senator John Edwards's 2004 presidential campaign, working specifically with his wife, Elizabeth Edwards. In alignment with the Democratic Party’s broader objectives, she contributed to strategic planning and messaging at the Democratic National Committee, supporting initiatives such as Howard Dean's 50 State Strategy.

Beyond MSNBC, Finney has appeared on other major networks including CNN and Fox News, offering political analysis and commentary.


Quick Facts
Marital Status: She has not revealed it yet
Profession: Political commentator
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: African-American (Mixed)
Employer: MSNBC
Birth Date: 15 Aug, 1967
Age: 52 yrs
Occupations: Columnist
Journalist
Citizenship: United States of America
Birth Place: United States of America
Education: University of California, Los Angeles
Gender: Female
Description: Political consultant, commentator
Help us Edit this article and get a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift card.
Last Modified: Sep 4 2025
You may also like