By Keri Day There is a new Obama Factor. And it’s not the President. Michelle Obama’s recent trip to South Africa inspired me to take a closer look at her expanding role and why she matters more and more on the international political stage. But, let me travel back to the first time I encountered Mrs. Obama. I first heard her not at a political rally or on President Barak Obama’s 2008 campaign trail, but at a religious service. Articulate and authentic, she stood on behalf of the then presidential-hopeful Barak Obama at a funeral for a major African-American denominational leader. As I looked around, she had clearly captivated everyone in the church. Her genuine concern and care for people emanated from her speech that day. Clearly, she knew how to connect. And I didn’t forget it. As I listened to people’s conversations after the service, I realized that others would not forget her either. After President Obama’s election and [...]