MSNBC Taps Karen Finney to Host New Weekend Show

Karen Finney has been named host of a new MSNBC program to air on weekends from 4-5 p.m. ET. More details about the program, including the launch date, will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Karen's rich background in both education policy and politics will add a unique point of view to our expanding live weekend programming," said Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC.

Finney has been an MSNBC political analyst and guest host on the network since 2009.

Finney has more than 20 years of experience in national politics working on four presidential campaigns, the Clinton White House, and Hillary Clinton's first New York Senate race. She was the first African American spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee. Finney has also worked to improve public education in the public and private sectors.

It was her interest in improving public education that first got her involved in politics, having worked as a teaching assistant in a minimum-security facility for pregnant teenagers in Los Angeles after graduating from UCLA. In the private sector, she worked for Scholastic Inc., one of America's leading children's media and education companies, on projects including strategic development for literacy programs, afterschool education, and reading intervention. Finney also served as the chief spokesperson and Communications Director for New York City Schools, managing crisis communications for the system of more than 1.1 million children in the aftermath of 9/11.

As spokeswoman and Communications Director for the Democratic National Committee, Finney helped guide the DNC's communications and media strategy for the successful 2006 Congressional elections and the 2008 presidential campaign. During the Clinton Administration, Karen served as Deputy Press Secretary to then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and as Deputy Director of Presidential Scheduling for President Bill Clinton. She served as Communications Director to Elizabeth Edwards during the 2004 general election.

Finney currently serves on the board of NARAL pro-choice America. She has also served on the advisory board for ONE Vote 2012, the Center for Music National Service and Teach for America, NY. Finney is an alumnus of the French American Foundation's prestigious "Young Leaders" program aimed at strengthening the transatlantic relationship among up-and-coming leaders. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. Follow her on twitter @finneyk.

Photo Courtesy of MSNBC

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