Who's Who In Knickerbocker Village History: Sheldon Austin

from Carlos Alejandro and Susan Spitzer

PS 177 classmate Sheldon Austin works for the State Department, speaks five languages and lives in France

He graduated from Brooklyn Tech and then went to Cornell where he earned his degree in linguistics
from the US State Department's Algier's Embassy Site from February 2009

In recognition of Black History Month, a month long celebration of the contributions of African Americans to the development and past and present history of the United States, the U.S. Embassy Algiers presented two Digital Video Conference (DVC) presentations. Invitees included students, professors, former scholarship recipients, Access school students, and community residents. The presenters were well informed and enthusiastic, and at the end of the presentations the audience responded with excellent and thought-provoking questions. On February 18, author Eddy Harris spoke on “Black American/Black Africans: What are the Commonalities beyond Race?”
This presentation explored the essence of the Black experience in America and Europe in comparison/contrast to the Algerian experience in Europe, specifically France. Mr. Harris is the author of five books, and currently resides in southern France.
On February 25, retired diplomat Sheldon Austin presented a thorough review of the book “Dreams From My Father: The Autobiography of Barack Obama,” highlighting key moments in the life of the current U.S. President and the possible impact of these events in his life and career. Mr. Austin is a 25 year Foreign Service diplomat currently living in France