“What if the mightiest word is love? Love beyond marital, filial, national, love that casts a widening pool of light, love with no need to pre-empt grievance.” These words were recited by Elizabeth Alexander at Barack’s inauguration in 2009—but they also describe how her father, Cliff Alexander, lived. Cliff was an American original—a civil rights trailblazer whose eyes were never shut to injustice but whose heart was always open. He was like a father to me and an inspiration to Barack. We admired the way he fought and learned from the way he led. We miss him already, but his spirit lives on in his family members, including my dear friend Elizabeth, and all who were lucky enough to be blessed by his presence.