The Obama Foundation Opens Applications for its Global Leaders Program

October 4, 2022 at 9:00 AM CDT

The Obama Foundation Leaders Program is the signature leadership program of the Obama Foundation, supporting emerging leaders in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe

CHICAGO – Today, the Obama Foundation opened applications for its six-month, non-residential leadership development and community engagement program that connects leaders across regions in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

Launched in 2018, the Obama Foundation Leaders program seeks to empower emerging leaders to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities, regions, and across the globe. Participants, known as “Obama Leaders” will participate in weekly sessions within their 35-member cohort of emerging leaders from across their region. These sessions will include:

  • Practical tools and training for deepening values-based leadership

  • Individualized or peer leadership coaching

  • Cultural programming that showcases the richness of diversity in the region

  • Creative spaces for deep personal reflection and interpersonal learning with peers

In addition to the weekly sessions, each region plans to gather the cohorts together in person as a forum for deeper community-building and learning. These sessions and convenings give participants practical tools around skill sets and issue areas. Obama Leaders walk away not just with skills in the abstract but an understanding of how and when to deploy which skills in order to make tangible progress in their work and for their community.

“The Obama Foundation Leaders program is at the core of the work we do here at the Obama Foundation,” said Obama Foundation Chief Executive Officer Valerie Jarrett. “These young people come from a range of countries, have varying career paths, and bring different ideas and life experiences to the table–but they all come together in weekly sessions to learn from one another, problem solve together, and motivate each other to take on big challenges. If you or someone you know is looking to turn hope into action, consider the Obama Foundation Leaders program. We can’t wait to welcome the next class into the Foundation family.”

The application for the Obama Foundation Leaders program can be found  here. The application will close on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 12:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time.

All three regions will announce new cohorts in January 2023 and programming will run through July. Upon completion of their program, these new classes of Obama Leaders will join a global alumni network of over 850 changemakers. To learn more about the program, visit  obama.org/programs/leaders.

For announcements introducing the new cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, follow the Obama Foundation on  Facebook (Opens in a new tab),  Twitter (Opens in a new tab), and  Instagram (Opens in a new tab).

###

Contact: Gloria Nlewedim, press@obama.org