California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed a predominantly Black audience in Atlanta on his ongoing book tour, offering a candid reflection on his personal struggles with dyslexia and his journey through the education system. Speaking at a public event, Newsom framed his remarks around his desire to connect with the audience on a personal level, emphasizing shared experiences and the challenges he faced growing up. His comments drew attention for their openness, as he described his academic struggles, frequent school changes, and the lasting impact of dyslexia on his life.
Gov. Newsom to a black crowd in GA: "I am like you. I'm a 960 SAT guy. I can't read." pic.twitter.com/4Gk0WKbIYz
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 23, 2026
The centerpiece of Newsom’s remarks came as he directly addressed his personal experience with dyslexia and academic challenges, drawing a connection to the audience’s own potential struggles and achievements. “I’m not, you know, I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just trying to impress upon you. I’m like you. I’m no better than you. You know, I’m a 960 SAT guy. And you know, and I’m not trying to offend anyone, you know, trying to act all there if you got 940, but literally I’m a 960 SAT guy. I cannot—you’ve never seen me read a speech—because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in. Uh, you know, my dyslexia, I haven’t overcome dyslexia. I’m living with it. You know, I was the guy in the back of the classroom and my head down just praying the teacher didn’t call on me. I dropped—I went through—I mean, we—I think I lost count of how many schools I had to go to.”
Newsom’s Atlanta remarks also touched on broader themes of leadership and civic engagement. He described the importance of standing against attempts to suppress voter participation and civic expression, citing historical examples and contemporary challenges across the country. He discussed federal deployments of troops in U.S. cities, the intimidation of voters, and political strategies aimed at influencing elections, framing these issues as lessons for citizen activism and participation in a democracy.
The governor’s remarks came as part of a book tour promoting his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, in which he explores both personal and political experiences. Unlike typical political books, Newsom’s work aims for authenticity, openly addressing his insecurities, mistakes, and family history alongside his professional achievements. During the Atlanta event, he described the process of writing the book as a journey of self-discovery, noting that it allowed him to confront and better understand his own challenges and growth.
California, the most populous U.S. state, has a diverse population that includes a large Black community concentrated in major cities such as Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco. Newsom’s remarks in Atlanta appeared intended to resonate with audiences outside California, emphasizing shared experiences and a message of perseverance and civic engagement. By openly discussing his dyslexia and educational struggles, he sought to connect personally while framing his broader political and leadership philosophy for a national audience.
