I was born on January 17, 1964, to Marian and Fraser Robinson on Chicago's South Side and graduated from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago's West Loop. After high school I went on to Princeton University where in 1985 I graduated with a B.A. in sociology and a minor in African American studies. After college, I continued my education at Harvard Law School, where I earned a degree in 1988.For three years after law school, I worked as an associate in the area of marketing and intellectual property at Chicago law firm Sidley and Austin, where I met Barack. I left the corporate law world in 1991 to pursue a career in public service, serving as an assistant to the mayor and then as the assistant commissioner of planning and development for the City of Chicago.In 1993, I became the founding executive director of Public Allies - Chicago, a leadership training program that received AmeriCorps National Service funding and helped young adults develop skills for future careers in the public sector.I began my involvement with the University of Chicago in 1996. As associate dean of student services, I developed the University's first community service program. I also served as executive director of community and external affairs until 2005, when I was appointed vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center. I also managed the business diversity program.I have fostered the University of Chicago's relationship with the surrounding community and developed the diversity program, making them both integral parts of the Medical Center's mission.Barack and I have two daughters Malia, 9 and Sasha, 6 and live on the south side of Chicago, where we attend Trinity United Church of Christ.
