Educator and philosopher, Dr. Cornel West is one of America’s most provocative and gifted public intellectuals. Professor of Religion and African American Studies at Princeton University, he is the author of the contemporary classic, Race Matters, which changed the course of America’s dialogue on race, justice and democracy. The recipient of the American Book Award, his other books include the New York Times bestseller Democracy Matters and Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom. In 2009, Time magazine honored Tavis Smiley as one of “The World’s Most Influential People.” A human rights advocate who has served as a key broadcaster for two decades, Smiley is co-host with Dr. West for the Smiley and West show on Public Radio International. The author of 14 books, he founded SmileyBooks, a publishing house that features New York Times bestselling authors as well as exciting new voices.

In the summer of 2011, West and Smiley embarked on an 18-city poverty tour to highlight the hardships of poor people. The Rich and the Rest of Us is their manifesto that coalesce their key ideas about re-thinking poor people’s possibilities and eradicating poverty.