doi:10.7916/2y84-gk89Oral history interview with Elizabeth Alexander, 2021Alexander, Elizabeth, 1962-oral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesPresidents--FamilyAuthorsCharleston Church Shooting, Charleston, S.C., 2015African American poetsAlexander, Elizabeth, 1962-Obama, BarackElizabeth Alexander reflects on her experience of the Obama presidency, relationship with the Obama family, and delivery of her inaugural poem, "Praise Song for the Day," at Barack Obama's first presidential inauguration in January 2009. She remembers the development of her relationship with Barack and Michelle Obama in the community surrounding the University of Chicago, and discusses her drafting of "Praise Song for the Day," providing details about the major themes, issues, and histories that she explored through the poem. Alexander also considers the significance of Obama's presidency and speaks broadly about major issues of the Obama presidency, including the administration's use of the White House as a stage for arts and culture; Obama's approach to speaking publicly about race and racism; Obama's oratory and delivery of major speeches, namely his eulogy commemorating the attack on the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015; the Obamas' international reception; the first family's cultural legacy; and Michelle Obama's support for young artists