Over eight years, President Obama delivered more than 3,500 speeches and statements – officially ending his era with a farewell address on Tuesday in Chicago. His speeches ranged from redefining patriotism, candidly addressing race relations, inspiring hope and healing, and turning divisive moments into an opportunity for national unification. But which are the moments that history will remember? A new hour-long Smithsonian Channel special tells the story of Barack Obama, “writer in chief,” and takes viewers inside the defining moments of his political career through the prism of his most memorable speeches. THE OBAMA YEARS:THE POWER OF WORDS, narrated by actor and producer Jesse Williams, premieres on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

I got a chance to interview executive producer Charles Poe, SVP, Production, Smithsonian Channel about the making of the film, which is a must see!

I know that the political climate is such that people who Hate Obama or Love Trump may say “I don’t want to see anything about Obama” but this film doesn’t get into policy.  This film is about Obama’s ability to use words and connect with the nation during trying times.  Some may say that these events are political because they are about race, mass shootings and religion and they would be right in that all these issues impact the political landscape. But if you can suspend, for a minute, the political angle and just observe how Barack Obama was able to use words to inform, educate, inspire and console, you will see a man who love him or hate him was able to connect with the nation in a personal and unique manner.