Educator and philosopher Cornel West is the Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University. Known as one of America's most gifted, provocative, and important public intellectuals, he is the author of the contemporary classic Race Matters, which changed the course of America's dialogue on race and justice, and the New York Times bestseller Democracy Matters and the memoir Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. He is the recipient of the American Book Award and more than 20 honorary degrees.