The First African-American President: Barack Obama

Did you know that in 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States? The founders of the Constitution expected leadership that transcends riches and connections, a goal accomplished when Obama believed in the presidency despite accusations of discrimination.  This feat was particularly significant given the country’s history of exploitation and prejudice. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. His father, Barack Sr., was a Kenyan economist, and his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, hailed from Kansas. After spending some of his boyhood in Indonesia, Obama returned to Hawaii to attend Punahou School on a scholarship, laying the groundwork for his amazing career. His path took him to New York City before he changed gears to become a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side, where he worked to affect local communities confronting economic issues positively. Path to Presidency In 1992, Obama married Michelle Robinson and entered politics as a member of the Illinois Senate, setting the stage for his ultimate election to the United States Senate in 2004.  In 2004, Barack Obama won a Senate seat by defeating Republican Alan Keyes in a historic election in which both main candidates were African American. Obama’s...