Barack Obama to host pro-democracy forum in NYC

Related story: Obama Foundation Expands Programs to Train Emerging Leaders Across the United States at Democracy Forum

With democracy under threat in the United States and around the world, the promise and potential of the next generation of leaders is more important than ever. On November 17 in New York City, President Obama will join pro-democracy thinkers, leaders, and activists from around the world to focus on the biggest challenges democratic institutions face today. The Obama Foundation is hosting the Forum in partnership with Columbia University and the University of Chicago.

The event will showcase democracy in action around the world. It will highlight the young leaders in our programs and advocates who are deeply engaged in revitalizing the institutions that support a healthy democracy, and modeling the values that have always embodied our best.

It will also draw on the core tenets that all strong democracies are built on, with speakers and guests discussing and debating ideas for how we can make sure our democracies and our institutions deliver.

The Obama Foundation believes that the best chance we have to solve our greatest challenges is to solve them together.

University of Chicago Honors African American Woman Scholar With Bronze Bust

A bust has been unveiled at the University of Chicago honoring an African-American woman who obtained a doctorate degree when the school was a bastion of white males.

Georgiana Rose Simpson’s story came alive after university seniors and political science majors Shae Omonijo and Asya Akca stumbled upon it.

Simpson arrived at Chicago in 1907 after teaching in Washington, D.C. Her presence in a dormitory sparked controversy because she was black, and she was forced to move off campus. She completed her master’s degree in 1920 and her doctorate in 1921 at age 55.

Simpson went on to write articles for W.E.B. Dubois’ publications and retired after teaching German at Howard University.

Nearly $50,000 was raised for the bronze bust of Simpson. It was unveiled Tuesday at the Reynolds Club, once reserved for white men.

Chicago University Hopes to host Obama Presidential Library.

Chicago is fighting hard to make sure the library ends up in President Barack Obama's home town.

The University of Chicago is being tight lipped about its proposal. But reports say the university would offer one of three off-campus sites, including the South Shore Cultural Center, where President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama had their wedding reception. Watch more on this story below.