Video: Michael Eric Dyson keynote speech excerpt

By James Grassi on Oct. 26, 2009, 5:54 p.m.

Michael Eric Dyson, a prominent sociologist at Georgetown University, gave one of three keynote speeches at Princeton's "Coming Back and Moving Forward" black alumni conference, which took place Oct. 22-24. Dyson read from his forthcoming book "Presidential Race: Barack Obama and Blackness in America," which analyzes the decisions President Barack Obama made handling race during the campaign.

Center for African American Studies chair Eddie Glaude gave one of three keynote speeches at Princeton's "Coming Back and Moving Forward" black alumni conference, which took place Oct. 22-24. Glaude's lecture, "America Looks Back: How Will We Move Forward?" called on the audience to re-examine how the past affects the present.

Video: Cornel West keynote speech excerpt .

Cornel West, the Class of 1943 University Professor in the Center for African American Studies, gave one of three keynote speeches at Princeton's "Coming Back and Moving Forward" black alumni conference, which took place Oct. 22-24. West spoke about his newly released memoir, "Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud."

700 expected for second black alumni conference .

More than 700 black Princeton alumni plan to return to campus for the "Coming Back and Moving Forward" conference Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 22-24.

650 attend largest gathering of black alumni in University history .

At the largest gathering of black alumni in the University's history last weekend, emotions overflowed as people talked about change -- Princeton's transformation from their time as students and the transformation they can bring about through continued engagement. "It's very obvious to me that the Princeton of 2009 is very different from the Princeton of 1983, and even the Princeton of 2006," said Ken Bruce, a member of the class of 1983 and a past president of the Association of Black Princeton Alumni. "For many of us, our Princeton experience is complex," he added. "We love it.

Video: Looking Forward (excerpt) .

Attendees at the "Coming Back and Moving Forward" black alumni conference Oct. 22-24 will have a chance to view the full documentary, "Looking Forward," by Melvin McCray '74.

University community celebrates historic inauguration .

Freshman Esther Clovis said she has two male role models in her life: her father and Barack Obama. Both men have endured hardships and possess great work ethics. On Tuesday, the inauguration of Obama as president showed her that persistence and hard work can pay off, and that the American dream can belong to her family too.

Toni Morrison papers to reside at Princeton .

The papers of Nobel laureate Toni Morrison are now part of the permanent library collections of Princeton University, where the renowned author served on the faculty for 17 years.