Biography
Abe Jenkins, Jr. is the eldest son of Abraham “Bill” Jenkins and one of the grandsons of the late Esau Jenkins, a prominent community organizer and civil rights leader in South Carolina. He was born on November 1, 1955 in Cambridge, England. Abe graduated from Summerville High School in 1973. He received a BA degree in Political Science/Public Administration from South Carolina State College in 1978, and a MS degree in Leadership & Dynamics of Organizations from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992.
Abe Jenkins’ career began in the health care industry, which he worked for 25+ years. He started out as the Director of Clinical Transportation Support at the Medical University of South Carolina, relocated to Philadelphia, PA where he served as the Director of Transport Services and Associate Director of Materials Management, and finally as the Operations Manager of Materials Management at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC.
Abe returned to Charleston, SC and entered into politics and community service. He worked for Obama For America and Organizing For America as a Field /Faith Organizer, Regional Field Director, SC State Field Director, traveling throughout the country during both Presidential campaigns (2008 and 2012). Abe worked in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, and Dorchester counties in South Carolina, Birmingham, Mobile, and Selma, Alabama; Houston, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, and Philadelphia, PA. Abe also served two years as the Political Director of the South Carolina Democratic Party. He’s active as a Lay Servant at Wesley United Methodist Church – Johns Island, a member of the Charleston District United Methodist Church’s Congregational Development Committee and formerly served as Secretary of the Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care Corporation Board of Directors and as a member of Rural Missions Incorporated, Board of Directors.
Recently, Abe served as the State Political Director for the South Carolina Pete for America Presidential campaign. He continues to offer his services as a political consultant in local elections.