Craig Robinson reflects on his upbringing in the South Shore neighborhood in Chicago; shares stories about his sister, Michelle Obama; and discusses Barack and Michelle Obama's lives in Chicago and in American public affairs. Robinson describes the values that were foundational to the Robinson household, his parents' emphasis on the importance of education and involvement in the community, the stro ng familial environment in the South Shore neighborhood, and the trajectories of his and Michelle's professional lives. He also remembers his early impressions of Barack Obama, and shares memories of Obama's political rise, the formation of Obama's political network in Chicago, and his service as a campaign surrogate for Obama during the 2008 presidential election cycle. Also discussed are Obama's connections to Black communities on the South Side of Chicago, Craig and Michelle's experiences in majority-White institutions, and family life in the Obama White House
Presidents--United States; Presidents--Family--United States; Presidential campaigns--United States; South Shore (Chicago, Ill.); South Side (Chicago, Ill.) Black people; Robinson, Craig, 1962-; Obama, Barack; Obama, Michelle, 1964-
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
46 pages
Note (Biographical)
Craig Robinson is a former basketball player and coach, and the brother of First Lady Michelle Obama. Robinson served as a campaign surrogate for Obama during the 2008 presidential election cycle. In 2020, Robinson became the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Note
Interviewed by Jacqueline Stewart on April 20, 2021. This interview is part of the University of Chicago: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Craig Robinson, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023