Public Programs
Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America
A special evening with former chief White House speechwriter Cody Keenan presenting his new book, "Grace," and taking your questions.
Join the Edward M. Kennedy Institute alongside board members Cody Keenan and the Honorable William “Mo” Cowan for a fascinating conversation about Keenan’s latest book, Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America. In one of the most intense periods of Obama’s presidency including the murders of nine Black worshippers in Charleston, South Carolina and Supreme Court rulings deciding the rights of Americans to healthcare and marriage equality, Keenan takes us through the process of finding words to console, elevate, and contextualize these events, and shines light on his unique relationship with our 44th President.
In a conversation moderated by former U.S. Senator Mo Cowan, Keenan, who partnered with President Barack Obama as his chief speechwriter for 14 years, shares an intimate glimpse into how they co-created language to address some of the most challenging instances of recent American history, including how to address America after yet another mass shooting. Keenan also shares Obama’s innermost thoughts on race, his use that week of the one word you can’t say, and what it’s like to be edited by Obama—a relentless perfectionist–during a late-night, one-on-one writing session in the First Family’s private residence.
The Kennedy Institute is pleased to welcome visitors back to the replica Senate Chamber for this live program followed by a book signing.
This is a free program; tickets are available in advance by registering below.
Doors will open at 6pm, and seats are first come, first served.
7:00pm Program Start
8:15pm Program End
8:30pm – 9:00pm Book signing
Additional Resources
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Virtual Event - Higher Education Pathways to Immigration: Why it Matters
Our country has the great opportunity to welcome students, scholars, and leaders from around the globe to our campuses. As the Biden Administration seeks to build on the strength of immigrant contributions to our knowledge-based economy, we know that colleges and universities serve as critically important pathways for immigration and for immigrant integration, mobility, and success. But we also know that these pathways are not as straightforward as they need to be if we are to maintain our global competitiveness, and our immigration laws and policies desperately need modernization if we are to allow all immigrants to reach their limitless potential.
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Against the Wind - Discussion with Neal Gabler
Join the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Senator Paul G. Kirk, and acclaimed author Neal Gabler for a dynamic conversation about Gabler’s newest book AGAINST THE WIND: Edward Kennedy and the Rise of Conservatism. The conversation will cover Gabler’s journey in writing the second volume of the magisterial biography of Senator Ted Kennedy in a book that sheds new light both on one of the most revered figures of modern politics and on the origins of America’s current existential crisis.
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60th Anniversary Event: Balancing Powers
The second virtual program in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of beginning of Ted Kennedy’s long and impactful career as a United States Senator will examine how Senator Kennedy drew upon his collaborations with 10 presidential administrations to achieve great policy strides and help shape the U.S. courts.
