WASHINGTON – On Monday, January 27, Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick connected with former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett, during a fireside chat at the School of Business. During the two-hour conversation, Jarrett, author of the book Finding My Voice, spoke on her life, the hope of the next president, and handling a mixed-generation workforce. She also spoke passionately about her career in public service before and during her professional relationship with Michelle and Barack Obama.

Throughout the evening, Jarrett expressed her appreciation for vulnerability and how learning to become vulnerable was key throughout her career. She encouraged the audience to have mentors, build in-person relationships, and to speak up honestly on your own behalf. Jarrett recalled her first interaction with the “brilliant young lawyer” Michelle Robinson, now-former First Lady Obama, who was interviewing for a job with Chicago Mayor Daley’s office.

“I can still see Michelle Robinson [Obama] like it was yesterday. Walking in my office. She had on all black, hair pulled back, barely any makeup, but commanding. She shook my hand and looked me right in my face. I thought she was so confident for someone so young,” said Jarrett.

With her resume on Jarrett’s desk, Robinson never mentioned her education or job history. “What did she do? She told me her story about growing up on the southside of Chicago with working-class parents and family. And then she tells me her dad and best friend had died in the previous year,” recalls Jarrett, stating that Robinson wanted to lead a more purposeful life. “To this day what I remember most about that interview was that she made herself open and vulnerable.”

While highlighting her rise in public service, Jarrett further mentioned her work from Chicago Mayor Daley to President Barack Obama. She shared a mantra with the audience of students and faculty which she holds near to her heart and ahead of her career strategy: working twice as hard.

“My parents used to tell me, work twice as hard. They never had to finish the sentence, you knew what that was,” expressed Jarrett, who also considers that multitasking was key to her career steadiness.

President Frederick solicited Jarrett’s advice on dealing with a workforce with five generations. “I see a lot of it, even here at the [Howard] University, where you have five generations of faculty now,” said Frederick.  

Jarrett acknowledged the amount of student loan debt and responsibility for those newly approaching retirement that should not be overlooked, but adjusted in the career ladder to survive through their 60s and beyond. She also expressed concern for young people in higher places influencing decision-makers.

“I think rather than carving up the pie differently, we should consider enlarging the pie to some degree and growing new opportunities for people to be involved,” said Jarrett. “You can still work because you’re older. Doesn’t mean you have to be the top person.”

An audience member asked Jarrett if she would ever work in the White House again.

“Probably not,” expressed Jarrett, who noted that she was optimistic about the upcoming election. “You have to make room for the next generation. I hope that if we have a President that is older, that person - whether he or she - surround themselves with some young people. That’s who the advisors should be.”

The conversation closed with a focus on international travel and whether students should consider participating while in college. Jarrett’s response was immediate.

“Do it! There’s nothing like getting outside your comfort zone and traveling outside of this country to give you a better appreciation for the country, but also to meet people different from yourself. You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable in life.”

To watch the fireside chat, visit: http://whur.com/features/fireside-chat-w-president-frederick-and-valerie-jarrett/

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(Feature photo: Monday, January 28, 2020 - Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick and Valerie Jarett, author and former senior advisor to President Barack Obama - photographed by Justin Knight/Howard University)

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 70 Fulbright Scholars. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu