Former Obama aide to speak at UMKC on Wednesday, Feb. 7

The Advisory Committee to the Carolyn Benton Cockefair Chair in Continuing Education welcomes Josh Earnest, former White House press secretary and Kansas City native, to UMKC at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. The talk will be in Pierson Auditorium at the Atterbury Student Success Center, 5000 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.

Earnest draws on a decade of experience working alongside President Barack Obama on the campaign trail and in the White House. As President Obama’s press secretary from 2014-17, Earnest distinguished himself with a keen ability to marshal facts and construct persuasive arguments that earned him the respect of Washington insiders in both parties.

For nearly three years, Earnest spent an hour every day fielding questions from White House reporters. During this special evening, Earnest will answer questions about the state of our country and our politics, and why, even in the face of pervasive pessimism and division, he remains optimistic about our future.

This event is free and open to the public, but a reservation is requested through Central Ticket Office. Free parking is available on the fifth and sixth levels of the Cherry Street Parking Garage, 5000 Cherry St.