Obama Revisited: Father’s Day 2008

By Tony Arnold
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks about fatherhood at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago Sunday, June 15, 2008.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks about fatherhood at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago Sunday, June 15, 2008. Alex Brandon / Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks about fatherhood at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago Sunday, June 15, 2008.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks about fatherhood at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago Sunday, June 15, 2008. Alex Brandon / Associated Press

Obama Revisited: Father’s Day 2008

By Tony Arnold
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While campaigning for president in 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama spoke during a Sunday service at Apostolic Church of God in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood on the city’s south side. It was Father’s Day, and Obama used the speech to emphasize the important role men needed to play in raising their children, particularly in the African American community.

Tyrone Stoudemire was one of the people who greeted the president when he arrived at the church. He’s now the Vice President of Global Diversity and Inclusion for Hyatt Hotels in Chicago.

The first thing Stoudemire remembers about the speech was its singularity.

“No candidate or sitting president could ever deliver that kind of speech to the black community,” Stoudemire said.

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