North Carolina Central University will observe Constitution Day with a panel discussion titled The U. S. Constitution in the Age of Obama: A Conversation Across Generations. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at the H.M. Michaux, Jr. School of Education, at 7 p.m.

Important constitutional questions have been raised by the election of the first African-American President, Barack Obama. For example, have we finally achieved a colorblind society? Are color conscious policies such as affirmative action still necessary? Is the Voting Rights Act still necessary? Should the government take a more active role in important issues like healthcare? In short, what does Obama’s ascent to the Presidency of the United States tell us about where we are in this democratic experiment called America?

Panelists include Atty. Julius Chambers, former NCCU Chancellor and noted Civil Rights attorney; Atty. Irving Joyner, professor, NCCU Law School; Atty. Anita Earls, Southern Coalition for Social Justice; Ansel Brown, professor, NCCU Political Science Department; Savaun Perry, NCCU law student; and Ellorm Ofori and Ebony McLeod, NCCU undergraduate students.

This event is free and open to the public. The NCCU Division of Academic Affairs and its Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change are sponsors of the event.

For more information and questions about the Constitution Day observance, please contact Dr. Jarvis A. Hall at 919-530-7256, or jhall@nccu.edu.