Obama Campaigner to Talk about First 100 Days

Ross Wilburn, an advisor to Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Johnson County, Iowa, will discuss the U.S. President's first 100 days in office and conduct a genealogy workshop on Thursday, May 7 at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.

Wilburn and Fred Hord, professor and chair of the Black Studies Program at Knox, will present a panel discussion on President Obama at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 7, in Kresge Hall, Ford Center for the Fine Arts.

Wilburn also will lead a genealogy workshop at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 7, in Ferris Lounge, Seymour Union.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Wilburn, who served as co-chair of an advisory committee and co-chair of Johnson County for Obama, is an elected official and educational administrator in Iowa City, Iowa. Hord, who has published extensively in Black Studies and literary criticism, will focus on Obama's two books, "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," and "Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance."

At the genealogy workshop Wilburn, a former youth worker and youth program director, will discuss his longstanding interest in family research. He is a member of the City Council of Iowa City, and works as equity directory for the Iowa City Community School District. Wilburn served as mayor of Iowa City in 2006-2008, the first African-American to hold that office.

The workshop is the first in a series planned by the Black Studies Program and the national Association for Black Culture Centers. "The workshop will cover how to research your family tree, how to use electronic resources, and tips that Ross can pass along from his experience in genealogy," Hord said. Hord plans to offer additional workshops in the fall after participants do their research in the summer.

The events are sponsored by the Black Studies Program, the Dean of the College and Dean of Students offices, the Association for Black Culture Centers, and two student groups -- Gentlemen of Quality and Allied Blacks for Liberty and Equality.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 47 states and 48 countries. Knox's 'Old Main' is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.