Giving the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention brought this Illinois US Senate primary winner to national attention. He went on to win his senate seat by a 70% landslide victory. And yet, who could have predicted that this son of a Kenyan father and an American mother would be representing his party, making history as the first African Americanpresidental candidate just four years later. His fascinating like story coupled with his eloquence and poise has energized voters across America. This Columbia University graduate didn't start at the top; it only seems that way. He actually began at the bottom, a grassroots community organize.