Skip to content

Community Leadership Corps

We believe everyone has a role to play in the future of their communities. So we want to empower young people with the tools they need to create change together.

The 2019 Community Leadership Corps kicks off in Chicago and Hartford

The Community Leadership Corps program is an opportunity for people between the ages of 18 and 25, to address opportunities and challenges and in their community. Over the course of six months, members form teams, hold meetings with members of their community, and launch a neighborhood-based project alongside their community. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, we will not proceed with accepting a 2020 Community Leadership Corps cohort. While we are saddened to pause the program, we are reminded of the importance of community and supporting young leaders. We are actively exploring avenues to virtually engage our many Community Leadership program alumni in the coming months. All qualified candidates who applied before March 29 will be contacted about other potential opportunities to engage with the Obama Foundation over the next few months, and will receive priority consideration for future programs.

About the Community Leadership Corps

Young people sit and converse in a crowded training room.

HARTFORD, CT - 06/08/2019: Members of the 2019 Hartford CLC group meet for their first day of the 6 month program in Hartford, CT, June 9, 2019. Credit: The Obama Foundation

Please credit the Obama Foundation when posting. The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation's prior written consent.

Community Leadership Corps members will gain fundamental skills in community organizing, equity-centered design thinking, and project management. Members will:

  • Launch a neighborhood-based team project alongside community members

  • Get connected with local organizations and leaders

  • Receive project funding for necessary project supplies; meals, and transportation for the five required in-person training events will be provided

  • Receive coaching and support from local success coaches and Obama Foundation staff

  • Join the Obama Foundation network of program alumni from around the globe

During the program, you will learn and practice the skills to listen to the residents, leaders, and organizations in your community, and determine how you can work together to create the change your community wants to see.

Community Leadership from Every Angle

Hover and click on the photos below to read stories from 2019 Community Leadership Corps members, Success Coaches and facilitators.

OF060219CD 1034

Bridging the Information Gap: Info 312

Info 312, Community Leadership Corps Team, Chicago

Learn more
OF060919MJ 5306-e1573596710282

Strength In Community: Team H.E.R

Team H.E.R., Community Leadership Corps Team, Hartford

Learn more
OF060119CD 1633-e1573596663600

Designing for the Future

Tania Anaissie, Facilitator and Design Thinking Expert

Learn more
OF080419CD 0894

A Success Coach’s Perspective

Rupa Ramadurai, Success Coach

Learn more

Watch Community Leadership in Action

Get to know some of our previous Community Leadership Corps members and the projects they created.

Community Leadership Corps: Meet Dejah Powell and Black & Well

Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps participant Dejah Powell started Black & Well with her two best friends to integrate wellness into the black community in Chicago and create a space to talk about health issues together as a community.

Community Leadership Corps: Meet Hazel Bridges and Further Together Columbia

Further Together is an outreach initiative that brings younger and older adults together to get to know one another and to create deep connections in hopes of reducing the divide younger and older generations experience. Through service projects and other

Community Leadership Corps: Meet Katie Gentry and Street Sense Solutions Phoenix

As a part of the Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps, Katie, Erin, and Rachel teamed up to address the all-too-often stigmatized issue of homelessness. Get a closer look at the Street Sense simulation that walks people through the complexities, th

The 2019 Community Leadership Corps kicks off in Chicago and Hartford

2019 MEMORIES

Swipe through to see a few of our favorite moments from the 2019 Community Leadership Corps program!

A group of people are sitting in a circle wearing their CLC shirts.

1/7

Two members laugh while doing a dance while part of a group activity.

2/7

A member draws on an easel with his group watching.

3/7

Two members pick up pens off the ground as part of a group activity.

4/7

A group of three people laughs while taking a break.

5/7

A group is huddled over their written ideas and materials.

6/7

A young woman works on her laptop with her group looking over her shoulder.

7/7