William Jelani Cobb, Ph.D. was among a host of award recipients who were honored for “their achievements and for utilizing their reach and resources to edify those whose lives they touch,” says Munson Steed, CEO/Publisher rolling out magazine, at the Men of Power and Influence Awards sponsored by Ford.
Cobb is the director of the Institute for African American Studies and the associate professor of History at the University of Connecticut. The author of several books, The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama, To The Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic and The Devil and Dave Chappelle & Other Essays, Cobb’s scholarly work focuses on post-Civil War African American History and 20th century American politics. Not one to shy away from politics, Cobb served as a delegate and historian for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Cobb’s commentary and essays have appeared in the New Yorker, the Washington Post, Vibe magazine and numerous outlets. He’s been a feature commentator on MSNBC, CNN and National Public Radio (NPR).
Supermodel Tyson Beckford and TV personality and author Toya Wright co-hosted the event celebrating this diverse group of industry leaders which was held at the Twelve Ballroom at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012.
