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Civil Rights Activist Invited To D.C. Inauguration

When Barack Obama is sworn into office one week from today, the world will be watching. CBS 2's Anne State reports that two people who helped advise and support the president-elect will also be there. Chicago historian, activist and Professor Timuel Black says he couldn't miss this moment in history.

Timuel Black says he never thought in his lifetime Americans would elect an African American as president.

"No, I hoped we would, but I didn't think we would," Black said.

"For those of us in my generation, particularly for the generations that follow us, we had hopes and dreams, but the possibilities seemed unlikely."

Prof. Black, who has his own long list of accomplishments and civil rights struggles, just turned 90 years old. He is the grandson of slaves and has made a reputable name for himself in Chicago and across the country.

It was Black in 1963 who helped organize busloads of Chicagoans headed for the march on Washington.

"He carried with him in his personality the dreams of America and the dreams of human beings throughout the world," Black said about Obama.
Read entire article at http://cbs2chicago.com