Explore how leaders and changemakers are shaping a more inclusive future. See the highlights
President Barack Obama moderates "Hope and Pluralism," a conversation with next-generation leaders Manu Meel, Nika Kovač, and Ainka Jackson. All are a range of light to dark skin tones.

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Inspiration from leaders and communities around the world.

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2024 Democracy Forum

Find out what global leaders, changemakers, and President Obama had to say about pluralism and bringing change home.

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The image is a photo of a flooded street near Atlanta, Georgia due to Hurricane Helene. In the front of the photo dirty water has risen nearly above the hood of a white SUV. The white SUV has an open trunk. In the background a white van is driving down the wet and flooded street. To the right of the white van is a blue sedan car, turned horizontally, presumably stuck on the street. On both sides of the street are tall green trees.
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  • USA
Take action to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton
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This image shows four individuals, each captured in a close-up portrait. The first is a woman with a dark skin tone, wearing a yellow beanie, glasses, and a green sweatshirt with the words "Fresh Afrika." Next is a man with a light skin tone, dark hair, and a broad smile wearing a black hoodie. Next a woman with a light skin tone holds a closed lip smile. She is wearing a blue blazer and white top, with salt and pepper shoulder length hair and is wearing burnt orange lipstick. Last is a man with light skin, brown hair, wearing a black turtleneck and dark jacket, standing outdoors in a setting with snow and mountains in the background.
  • Changemakers
  • Programs
Meet the next generation of changemakers

Three of the Obama Foundation's global programs launched new cohorts in 2024. Learn more about these programs and how you can support our Leaders, Scholars, and Voyagers.

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Julie Mehretu, a woman with a light skin tone and short curly black hair, stands in between two carts full of paint and art supplies. She is wearing red metallic pants.
  • The Arts
  • Building the Center
Monumental painted-glass window, “Uprising of the Sun,” will welcome visitors to the Obama Presidential Center

Julie Mehretu's 83-foot-high installation is inspired by President Obama’s remarks at the 50th anniversary of the marches from Selma to Montgomery.

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The Obama Presidential Center

A global center for change.

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An aerial view of the Obama Presidential Center. People are seen on the lawn in the distance.

We’re building a world-class museum and public gathering space on the South Side of Chicago, where people from across the street or around the globe can come to get inspired, find common ground, and take action.

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Campus

The Obama Presidential Center will feature a world-class museum, public library, and gathering spaces.

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A rendering of the Museum courtyard at the Obama Presidential Center.
Museum & Collection

Scheduled to open in 2026, the Obama Presidential Museum will tell the story of President and Mrs. Obama and their historic presidency—and how we can all do our part to create change.

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Building the Center

See how we're building a welcoming, vibrant campus where people from across the street or from around the globe can come to get inspired, find common ground, and take action.

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The Obama Presidential Center’s commitment to environmental sustainability

Explore the Center’s environmentally sustainable designs, from buildings to gardens.

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Programs

Empowering the next generation of changemakers.

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A Black woman wearing a blue sweatshirt and floral leggings holds a yoga pose. She is encircled by a group of adolescent Black girls wearing matching maroon shirts and holding the same pose. They are a range of light to dark skin tones.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Youth
Girls Opportunity Alliance provides more than $1 million in support on International Day of the Girl

Learn how the Alliance is joining forces with 26 organizations serving adolescent girls in Chicago and around the world

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Meet the 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leaders

Meet the new cohorts!

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An image of an almond skin toned young man with arm-length locs smiling and leaning slightly to his right as he holds a certificate from another deep skin tone man with other young men and a banner visible in the background.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Programs
The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance hosts first-ever MBK-Obama Leadership Academy

More than 100 incoming freshmen at three Chicago high schools got a jumpstart on their high school careers this summer

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2024-2025 Obama Scholars

Meet the new cohort!

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