On November 14th, President-Elect Barack Obama officially named Valerie Jarrett as his Senior Adviser and Assistant in the White House. Ms. Jarrett served as Obama's senior adviser during his presidential campaign. In fact, Ms. Jarrett and the Obamas are not only co-workers, but also close long-time friends for 17 years.
Ms. Jarrett, 51, a Hyde Park, Chicago native, first met Michelle Obama in 1991 when she hired her as an Assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. The two women became quick friends and it was through Michelle that Ms. Jarrett formed an equally close relationship to Michelle's then-fiance Barack. Here's a clip of Ms. Jarrett describing her relationship with the Obamas in her own words.
Ms. Jarrett is a true example of what many of us in the African American community call, a la W.E.B. Du Bois, a member of The Talented Tenth. She hails from a long line of African American achievers and community philanthropists.
Ms. Jarrett holds a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University and J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Most of Ms. Jarrett's work over the years has been in the public sector, securing her place as a government/public interest powerhouse in her hometown of Chicago. Prior to joining Obama's team, she served as the CEO of The Habitat Company, a major Chicago real estate firm, and sat on a variety of civic and corporate boards.
LEARN MORE ABOUT VALERIE JARRETT
(Well worth the read)
