Obama: 'First African-American president'

by Mark Silva

On a day when the achievements of African-Americans in attaining positions long denied them were on the minds of many in Washington, retired Rear Adm. Stephen Rochon, White House "chief usher'' and director of the executive residence, stood proudly at the performance of Sweet Honey in the Rock.

First Lady Michelle Obama had invited about 180 students from Washington schools to the East Room to hear a renowned a cappella ensemble.

Rochon, accustomed to working behind the scenes in the White House since former President George W. Bush made him chief usher in 2007, is only the eighth to hold to the post and succeeded a man who held the job for 20 years. He told the students "how exciting it is for me to come into the White House and greet the president and the first lady every day."

He reminded them that "the house was built by African-American slaves and freed men,'' and advised them that, "I am the first African-American to lead the staff."

Rochon also acknowledged Bill Hamilton, who he said is the longest serving employee of the White House, serving there for 51 years.

"If you wish to succeed in life, study hard and listen to your parents and to your teachers,'' Rochon, who left active duty in the Coast Guard in March 2007 after 37 years of service and started at the White House three days later, told the students, ''do the right things for the right reasons....Deep down inside, you know what is right and wrong....Strive to do your best at whatever you do, but be humble."

(Photo of President Barack and Michelle Obama's daughters, Sasha, left, Malia, right, and the girls' grandmother, Marian Robinson, at White House performance of Honey in the Rock attended by 6th and 7th Grade District of Columbia school children by Ron Edmonds / AP)

Rochon, a New Orleans native, produced video documentaries about fellow Coast Guardsman Alex Haley, author of Roots.

Michelle Obama, calling Rochon "a very wise man who is a very amazing professional in his own right,'' said he had made her family's transition to "this place just fun and welcoming.''

"Like Barack and I, the admiral didn't rise to his position because of wealth or because he had a lot of material resources,'' the first lady told the students. "See, we were all very much kids like you guys. We just figured out that one day that our fate was in our own hands. We made decisions to listen to our parents and to our teachers, and to work very, very hard for everything in life. And then we worked even harder any time anybody doubted us.

"So many milestones in black history have touched this very house,'' said the first lady, standing on a low stage in the East Room flanked by portraits of President George and First Lady Martha Washington. "Just to name a few, did you know that African-American slaves helped to build this house?"

"Yes," the students replied.

Reciting a history of African-Americans who had passed through this house where President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation -- Marie Seilka became the first t African American artist to perform in the White House, in 1878 -- the first lady asked her audience about the significance of her own husband. "He is the first African American president of the United States,'' a girl replied.

"That's correct,'' the first lady said to laughter. "Would you like to stand? You want to say that one more time?''

"The first African American president of the United States of America,'' the girl said.

"Very good," the first lady said. "So you guys know your history. That's a good thing. That means your parents and teachers are doing their jobs...

"But I encourage you not only to focus on the famous names that you read in the history books or that you see on TV,'' she said, "but I want you to also think about the extraordinary people who live in your own world, the folks in your own lives -- parents, grandparents, yes, teachers -- all those folks who play important roles in black history and American history every single day...

"And think about, as the admiral says, getting up every single day and working hard, as hard as you can,'' she said, "putting your best foot forward all the time, not just when somebody is looking, but every single moment, and supporting your family, the folks in your own households, making your beds, putting the dishes up, cleaning your rooms. That's part of the preparation. How do you help your neighbor? And how are you going to build a better life and a future for yourselves?

"That's not just a story that Barack Obama is writing, or Admiral Rochon is writing,'' she said. "Those are the stories that we're all writing together.''

Sweet Honey in the Rock sang, "This Little Light of Mine. I'm Going to Let it Shine,'' and their five angelic and harmonized voices chimed "The Ballad of Harry T. Moore,'' a civil rights activist whose home was bombed. They sang, "All I have to do; Education is the Key; Do What the Spirit Says to Do; When I Grow up; Young and Positive, I Like That Way,'' and they closed with "Civil Rights Medley/ Ella's Song.''

"As president and first lady, Barack and I are just the caretakers of this house,'' the first lady told her guests. "We're just borrowing it for a little bit.... It's the people's house that belongs to all of us. So just remember that, okay?''