Cody Keenan & Josh Earnest: Obama Head Speechwriter + Press Secretary

Words matter: How President Obama's speechwriter helped to elevate the national conversation

Speechwriter Cody Keenan, in conversation with Obama's press secretary Josh Earnest, discusses the momentous responsibility of crafting words that would reverberate across the globe.

Keenan and Earnest will take us inside the West Wing during President Obama's second term, when the President and his team faced events of historic significance, often happening within days of one another. Throughout it all, they sought to represent the President's insistence on hope and confidence in the American people, always accompanied by a call to action.

Reserve early. Reservations close Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 @ 5 pm

The Speaker Luncheon Price per Ticket is as follows:

$57 for Members**

$67 for Non-Members**

$670 - Purchase of One Table (Seating for 10 People)**

(In order to help First Friday cover increasing expenses, a processing fee will be added to the price of your ticket(s) at checkout. Thank you)

.**If you wish to purchase a Membership (starting at $75), please click HERE.

When checking out, you will be asked the following (required) questions:

• Any dietary requirements
• A group or person you wish to sit with (all attendees are assigned a seat)
• A request for a hearing assistance kit

More on Cody & Josh

Chicagoan Cody Keenan is a partner at Fenway Strategies, a speechwriting firm, and teaches a popular course on speechwriting at his undergraduate alma mater, Northwestern University. In addition, he is the author of Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America.

Josh Earnest is executive vice president of communications and advertising for United Airlines. And before joining United, Josh spent two decades in politics and government, including White House Press Secretary from 2014 to 2017 and as an analyst for NBC News from 2017-2018.

For additional information please call (312.466.9610), email ffcc@firstfridayclubchicago.org or visit our website at www.firstfridayclubchicago.org

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LUNCHEON LOCATION:

This luncheon will be held at The Union League Club - Presidents Hall on the 2nd floor at 65 West Jackson Blvd (1/2 block east of Clark). Upon entering the ULC, coat check is mandatory on the first floor (no charge) and you will be directed to the check-in location.

THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB DRESS CODE:

The Union League Club Dress Code is Smart Casual, a relaxed, well-dressed look which may include jeans with no visible rips or tears, denim, and collared shirts. Athletic wear, tennis shoes, t-shirts or hats are not permitted.

PARKING AT THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB:

Valet Parking is available at Union League's Federal Street Entrance (Union League Club's parking fee will apply; no discount to attendees).

Discounted parking as low as $10 for All First Friday Club Attendees is available through the iParkit Phone App in the South Loop Self Park, 318 S. Federal St, Chicago (self parking in the garage on the northwest corner of Federal and Van Buren). For information on this special offer, click the following link: IPARKIT OPTION

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

The Club is just two blocks from the LaSalle Street Metra Station, six blocks from Union Metra Station and only blocks from every EL Station.