Editor- in-Chief of The Crisis magazine Author of The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't and Why? and the upcoming What Obama Means (Jan 20, 2009)

What Obama Means

An accomplished journalist, poet, playwright and fiction writer, Jabari Asim has been hailed by the Washington Post as "perhaps the most influential African- American literary critics of his generation." With Jabari's upcoming book What Obama Means (Jan 20, 2009, Harper Collins) he shares his insight into the Barack Obama phenomenon and its effect on diverse leadership, its relation to popular culture, and what it means for America's future. His book, *The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn’t, And Why*, explores how throughout American history White society has worked to keep Blacks at the bottom of the socio-economic hierarchy — through a combination of custom, law, myth and racial insult. At the podium, Asim brings his characteristic candor and insight to this explore this loaded word, which continues to trigger strong reactions in African-Americans and people of all racial backgrounds.

Recently appointed editor-in-chief of the NAACP's award winning, pre-eminent magazine of thought leaders, peacemakers and justice seekers, The Crisis, Jabari Asim previously was deputy editor of The Washington Post Book World. He also writes a weekly syndicated column on everything from politics to pop culture. Jabari Asim's journalism has appeared in newspapers, websites and magazines from the Washington Post, the LA Times and Dallas Morning News to the Village Voice, Salon.com and Essence, among many others.

Jabari Asim has written and edited an impressive series of books, from an analysis of police brutality (NOT GUILTY: Twelve Black Men Speak Out on Law, Justice and Life) to delightful and educational stories for young readers (including The Road To Freedom, Whose Toes Are Those?, Whose Knees Are These?, and Daddy Goes to Work). Jabari Asim has also published work in a number of anthologies and literary magazines.

Jabari Asim is a frequent public speaker and commentator who has appeared on The Today Show, The Colbert Report, Hannity & Colmes, the Tavis Smiley Show, and countless other programs. He lives in Maryland with his wife and five children.