Pepperdine GSEP Spotlight: Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey (EdD ’17, MA ’12)
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey is the embodiment of a well-rounded California education, shaped by values-driven institutions and a deep commitment to public service. A proud graduate of De La Salle High School in the San Francisco Bay Area, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern California, where he also pursued a minor in critical approaches to leadership. After several years of experience as a public affairs professional, Dr. Quartey felt called to deepen his impact through education—choosing Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) as his academic and leadership home.
As a member of the inaugural cohort of the MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change program (Class of 2012), Dr. Quartey embraced Pepperdine’s mission of purpose, service, and leadership. His pursuit of impact continued with a return to GSEP, where he earned his Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership in 2017.
Reclaiming the Narrative: From Advocacy to Journalism
With years of experience leading in the fields of advocacy, political communications, and human rights organizing, Dr. Quartey’s path took a significant turn during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alarmed by the rise of disinformation and democratic backsliding in the U.S., he returned to his first love: journalism. His reentry into the field was not just professional—it was patriotic.
“As a journalist, I view my work through the lens of the Black press tradition: to inform and to liberate,” he says. “Returning to journalism was my way of responding to this moment in history with both integrity and urgency.”
A Historic Journey Home
One of the most profound assignments of his career was covering Vice President Kamala Harris’s historic first visit to Africa, including Ghana—his father’s homeland. The experience led to the publication of his bestselling book, Kamala, the Motherland, and Me, which weaves together themes of heritage, identity, and global leadership.
“This assignment felt written in the stars,” says Dr. Quartey. “Like the Vice President, I’m of multi-heritage. The opportunity to cover this journey across cultures allowed me to observe, reflect, and reimagine our assumptions about Africa, the diaspora, and Black leadership on the world stage.”
Though the book was unplanned, he felt spiritually compelled to write it—and its release has proven timely. “Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election, people still want to know who Vice President Harris is, in her fullness. This book offers important clues for many lifetimes.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Dr. Quartey believes the future of our country is inextricably tied to Africa, a continent where the average age is 19 and by 2050, one in four people on Earth will call it home. “Africa must be seen not as the periphery, but as central to the global economy and the future of democracy,” he says. “We cannot become what we cannot see—and do not know.” This is also why he intends to do more investigative storytelling and in-depth interviews with leaders on the frontlines, attempting to meet the moment and be a lighthouse.
A Lifelong Connection to Pepperdine
Today, Dr. Quartey not only continues his work as an author and KBLA White House Correspondent but also returns to GSEP as a professor, shaping the next generation of transformational leaders. His work bridges the worlds of media, public service, and education—living proof of what it means to lead with both head and heart.
“I’m proud to be a double alum of Pepperdine GSEP,” he shares. “My journey through the MA and EdD programs not only transformed how I lead—it affirmed why I lead.”