Clarence Avant was one of our favorite people. He exemplified a certain level of cool and street smarts that allowed him to move confidently into worlds that nobody had prepared him for, never doubting he could figure it out. Clarence was part of a generation that served as a bridge from a time when there was very little opportunity for Black people to a time when doors began to open. He demanded the world make room, and he paved the way for the rest of us.

Michelle and I are heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend and mentor Charles Ogletree. Charles’ reputation preceded him at Harvard Law School. On campus, people would always talk about this Professor Ogletree and how supportive and encouraging he was. He took time on weekends to run something…

Summer Reading List Here’s some books that I’m reading this summer. Check them out and let me know what I should be reading next. Poverty, by America — Matthew Desmond Small Mercies — Dennis Lehane King: A Life — Jonathan Eig Hello Beautiful — Ann Napolitano All the Sinners Bleed — S.A. Cosby …

I wrote a letter thanking librarians across the country for everything they’re doing to protect our freedom to read. — To the dedicated and hardworking librarians of America: In any democracy, the free exchange of ideas is an important part of making sure that citizens are informed, engaged and feel like their perspectives matter. It’s so important, in fact, that here in America, the First Amendment of our Constitution states…

President Obama’s Statement: Affirmative action was never a complete answer in the drive towards a more just society. But for generations of students who had been systematically excluded from most of America’s key institutions–it gave us the chance to show we more than deserved a seat at the table. In the wake of…

We are heartbroken to lose our dear friend Jim Crown. Jim was a pillar of Chicago, a prominent voice in the Jewish community, and a true civic leader who loved our city. Even in recent weeks, he was busy rallying his fellow business leaders around an ambitious new jobs program…

My remarks as delivered at the SNF Nostos Conference in Athens, Greece. Andreas Dracopoulos: President Obama, you have made clear the importance of strengthening Democracy, signaling the vital importance of elevating this issue. From your speech at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit last June to your Foundation hosting its first ever…

Today I’ll be speaking with Ira Glass, Caroline Suh, and some of the great folks featured in the Higher Ground and Netflix documentary series, Working: What We Do All Day about finding meaning and purpose in work. Check out our conversation on LinkedIn News at 5pm ET: www.linkedin.com/events/7066824083790827521 And in the meantime, watch Working: What We Do All Day on Netflix and leave some questions about work in the comments!

Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful. She was unstoppable. And she was unapologetically herself — speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy. Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.