Professor Ellen Weiss, Ph.D. spoke about Robert R. Taylor, the first academically trained African American architect at a symposium honoring the new Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science at Tuskegee University. Valerie Jarrett, President Obama’s senior advisor and Taylor’s great granddaughter, was the keynote speaker. Professor Weiss’ book, “Robert R. Taylor and Tuskegee, An African American Architect Designs for Booker T. Washington,” will be published by New South Press in fall 2011.