Lt. Gov. Barnes holds virtual Q&A session with students during Black History Month

WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. (CBS 58)  -- Students at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay are celebrating Black History Month with several activities.

On Monday, Feb. 22, a panel of students got a chance to virtually interview Wisconsin's first African American lieutenant governor, Mandela Barnes.

"What or who kept you focused and driven to achieve all that you have achieved so far, and how do you plan on being an example to those who look up to you now?" asked student Parris Saffold. 

Answering this student's question, Barnes pointed to his own background, growing up in a home where both parents had good jobs.

"I understand that having two parents with a full-time income, a full-time middle-class income, was a relative privilege compared to so many people that I was around, and I recognize that," said Lt. Barnes. "And I think about what could have been of people that I knew, if they had a similar set of circumstances. So that's who I do it for."

When asked for advice about running for office, Barnes urged students to start now and learn what's important to them.

He said too often, he sees people who decide to run for office before they know why they want to run.