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Charles E. Cobb speaks at Concordia 

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Pictured are Reiss and Cobb (first two people on left of front row) with several of the students who made the evening a success.

On Martin Luther King Jr. day, Jan. 19, author Charles E. Cobb reflected on how the civil rights movement paved the way for Barack Obama's inauguration as the first African-American President of the U.S. the next day. His lecture paid particular attention to the dozens of unsung heros — many of whom were women and students — who through bravery, conviction and determination challenged systemic racism.

He was introduced by Provost David Graham who recalled his own family's involvement in the movement. The event was sponsored by Charles Reiss, director of the Special Individualized Program of the School of Graduate Studies with the support of the African Student Association, The Linguistics Student Association, The Carribean Student Association and The Political Science Student Association.