On Saturday, May 11, 2011, at the tail end of her "Becoming" book tour, Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama attended class with nearly two-dozen, wide-eyed Spelman and Morehouse students enrolled in Dr. Marilyn Davis' Political Science 317 course: Black Women: Developing Public Leadership Skills.
Most Atlanta University Center students had already turned in their last exam, checked their grades, packed their books, donned their "Goodbye 2018-2019 Academic Year" t-shirts, and loaded their rented U-haul trucks to overflow, as these scholars sat in Giles Hall on Spelman's campus captivated by Mrs. Obama. In mutual appreciation, she leaned in and listened to the future change agents with eager anticipation that the future is in good hands.
The students had spent an entire semester pouring over the pages of her book in hopes of Becoming, Knowing, Learning and Growing. Little did they know the author of their "textbook" would pay them a surprise visit before they left campus for the summer and just hours prior to Mrs. Obama’s appearance before a sold-out crowd at Atlanta's State Farm Arena.
"Do not hide your story,” Mrs. Obama told the class of more than a dozen students. “Do not hide the truth of who you are. We have to get our stories out there – in all shapes, sizes and forms."
During the round table conversation, Mrs. Obama shared that the success of the Obamas during their time in the White House, and since leaving, is rooted in their ability to stay prepared to handle adversity.
“We were like you,” said Mrs. Obama. “We were ready to be excellent on a dime. It was easy going high because we practiced it. You can take doubt and criticism and let it eat you up, or you can turn it on its head. It’s going to take you all some time to explore the different opportunities out there, but take your time."
Mrs. Obama's own experience of attending an Ivy League school, leaving a high-paying position at a corporate law firm to work, and later of becoming executive director of a Chicago non-profit that encouraged young people to work in public service, resonated with the AUC students who were happy to share their reflections.