Candis Watts Smith to Moderate Conversation with CNN Anchor Abby Phillip for 2026 MLK Commemoration

Candis Watts Smith and Abby Phillip headshots

Candis Watts Smith, professor of political science at Duke Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, will moderate the keynote conversation with Abby Phillip, anchor for CNN’s NewsNight, at Duke University’s annual MLK Commemoration on Sunday, Jan. 18.

The public event starts at 3 p.m. in Duke Chapel; Duke will livestream the commemoration on YouTube.

The theme of this year’s event is “Hope Powered by Community II: Together We Serve, Advancing Dr. King’s Vision of Humanity and Equity.” 

“We are looking forward to a conversation between these two brilliant and dynamic women, and we are especially excited to hear insights into Ms. Phillip’s recently circulated book about Jesse Jackson and its relevance to the 2026 celebration of Dr. King’s legacy,” said Kimberly Hewitt, vice president for Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity.

Phillip’s award-winning background in dogged Washington reporting brings a unique context to the complexity of current affairs. Phillip keeps the powerful honest in hard-hitting interviews, and hosts interesting conversations with a variety of perspectives.

Professor Smith’s expertise highlights race and ethnicity’s role in shaping the American political landscape. Smith studies how demographic dynamics influence U.S. citizens’ and denizens’ understanding of their own identity, their political attitudes, and their policy preferences. 

Together, they will reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and its impact on the current state of the country.

“This year’s theme is an important one that we hope will operate as a reminder of our common humanity during an unsettling time in our country.”

Kimberly Hewitt, Vice President for Institutional Equity

Phillip joined CNN from The Washington Post and previously worked at ABC News and Politico. Throughout her career she has covered multiple presidents, campaign finance, lobbying and several presidential campaigns.

Phillip was named to the Time 100 Next list in 2021 and was the recipient of the National Urban League’s Women of Power Award. She was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy for her coverage of black maternal health with the hour-long documentary, “Homebirth: Saving Black Moms.” She serves on the board of the News Literacy Project and the Senior Advisory Committee of the Harvard Institute of Politics.

Phillip was raised in Bowie, Md. and is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in government. When not on television, she spends time with her husband, daughter and their pup Booker T.