During the 2004 Democratic National Convention, a first-term senator named Barack Obama from Illinois delivered a speech that exuded excitement, charisma and spark. Four years later, he found himself on that same platform as he launched his campaign to become the president of the United States.

The Obama vision was contagious and aspirational, although some considered him a long shot because of his minimal experience and because of his race. However, whenever he was met with opposition, he was able to exhibit a tone that spoke to people in a way that ushered in a change they could believe in. On November 4^th, 2008, the United States elected him to become first black president. Obama would go on to serve two terms.

In this episode of Black History In Two Minutes or So hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Farah Griffin of Columbia University, Jelani Cobb of Columbia University, and Leah Wright Rigueur of Harvard University, we take a closer look at a campaign that represented hope and unification and culminated with a historical moment in United States politics.

Black History in Two Minutes (or so) is a 4x Webby Award winning series.

If you haven’t already, please review us on Apple Podcasts! It’s a helpful way to for new listeners to discover what we are doing here: Podcast.Apple.com/Black-History-in-Two-Minutes/

Archival Materials Courtesy of:

• Alamy Images

• Getty Images

• Shutterstock

Additional Archival by::

• The Boston Globe

• Channel 4 News

• C-SPAN

• CNN

• C-SPAN

Additional Footage Courtesy of:

• Inkwell Films, Kunhardt, & WNET

Executive Producers:

• Robert F. Smith

• Henry Louis Gates Jr.

• Dyllan McGee

• Deon Taylor

Produced by:

• William Ventura

• Romilla Karnick

Music By:

• Oovra Music

Be Woke presents is brought to you by Robert F. Smith and Deon Taylor.

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