Stories of Hope
Top Stories
All stories of hope![The image is a combination of the headshots of Jessica Teal, Laura Olin, and Jeron Smith. From [L to R]: The first person is Jessica Teal: she has pale skin, blonde hair, blue eyes, and is wearing a red short-sleeved shirt. She is smiling at the camera. The second person is Jeron Smith: he has brown skin, closely cut black hair, and a mustache. He is wearing a dark blazer with a white t-shirt underneath. In the background of Jeron's headshot is an industrial set with orange lighting and tall metal beams. The third person is Laura Olin: she has pale skin, blue eyes, and blond hair that hits her shoulders. She is wearing a blue and white shirt and smiling at the camera. Behind Laura are green trees.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/6LMo5vdc4FO3gQHXPadCKC/1e43c9c9312587c288c155864c1648a4/May_Feature_Hero_Image.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
- Presidential History
- The Arts
Meet the minds behind the design, voice, and digital strategy for the Obama campaign and White House.
Learn more![A rendering of the outside front of Home Court from Stony Island Avenue. It is daylight in the picture. Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center is a large silver and glass building, with large rectangular windows covering the majority of the front of the building and two large inverted silver triangles of metal cladding interrupting the glass on the side. In front of the building are green shrubs and trees planted along a pedestrian walkway. To the left of the building is a large patch of grass surrounded by a pedestrian walkway. To the right of the building are tall green trees. On the pedestrian pathways are several people walking, standing, and sitting. There is a bicycle rack on the pedestrian walkway.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/1sMbpxfeeZ6vHyM2pCzw9P/a201277ba5693bcd2cc92f43db958e7b/-CLEARED_FOR_PUBLIC_USE_POST-PRESS_RELEASE-_2024.3.17_OPC_Front_-_Home_Court_Sign_from_Sidewalk.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- First Look
- Building the Center
See the plans for the 45,000-square-foot multipurpose athletic and events facility coming to the Obama Presidential Center.
Learn more![The image is a combined photo of five women. The first is Clarissa Kornell: she has long curly dark hair, a light olive complexion and is wearing a dark pink shirt with a light pink scarf. Clarissa is smiling in the picture. The second woman is Sabra Townsend: she has shoulder length locs that are curled. Sabra has a medium brown skinned complexion and is wearing a dark blue blazer with an orange shirt underneath. Sabra is smiling in the picture. The third woman is Juliet Choi: she has dark hair cut into a shoulder-length bob and she has an olive complexion. Juliet is wearing black glasses, a brown necklace, and a short sleeved blue blouse. Juliet is smiling in the picture. The fourth woman is Alefiyah Mesiwala. Alefiyah has long black hair, dark olive skin and hazel eyes. Alefiyah is wearing a dark blue scarf and a black shirt and smiling in the picture. The fifth woman is Jamie Lockhart: Jamie has long dark brown hair and pale skin. Jamie is wearing a pink blazer and a black shirt underneath. Jamie is also wearing a small diamond necklace and smiling in the picture.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/5U7xSytSLsit0cXk9jqdGP/dca6eb5e1f1f2d1fbddb9c3bedfb1a3c/ACA-promo-lightgrey.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
- Health & Wellbeing
- Alumni
Meet five women carrying forward the legacy of the Affordable Care Act in their communities
Learn more![President Obama sits at a desk signing the Affordable Care Act, surrounded by a group of politicians, then Vice President Joe Biden, and a young boy.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/7tneOrTpIqXIrQlUDIvD9U/93560755af91089e381919a70298db19/AffordableCareActsigning.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
- Watch
- Presidential History
Hear from President Obama as he reflects on this milestone moment.
Learn moreChangemakers
All changemaker stories![placeholder](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/5wlGpTrSvngbSJi3HzumKr/f320cb7f3076b1b0fdc4e335593eea85/voyager.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Youth
- Voyagers
Meet recipients of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service or learn how you can apply to be in the next cohort!
Learn more- Equality
- Alumni
Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities
Learn more![A professional headshot of Ashlee Davis. She is standing in front of a glass window with a city skyline behind her. Ashlee has a medium deep complexion and shortly cropped black hair. She is wearing a blue plaid suit and a blue tie. She is smiling in the image.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/56lNNyZIvRLnraYGkb6nDw/49f6a7d84e1aa581af8a01af7c0ab420/Ashlee_Davis_AB_16-9.jpeg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Equality
- Alumni
Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities
Learn more![Headshot of Dylan Orr. Dylan has an olive complexion with dark wavy hair. He is wearing a dark gray suit with a striped tie. In the image he is standing with his arms crossed on his chest. He has a wedding ring on his left finger.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/2gVWBAI3UXdRzTzNoDUmFO/6b987cb271e889466864907018f46eca/Dylan_Head_Shot_16-9.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Equality
- Alumni
Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities
Learn more![A candid shot of Pamela Karlan. Pamela is standing outside in front of a large crowd of people. Pamela has pale skin and brown hair cut to her shoulders. She is wearing round glasses, a pearl necklace, and a dark blue blazer and shirt. She is smiling into the camera.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/3iE1VPDSnIuqSVUQyG658z/fd0c93af34820d24631c6a28e6ba6836/image__1___1_.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
- Equality
- Alumni
Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities
Learn more![Michelle Obama sits in a circle with women with a range of light to deep skin tones and Michael Strautmanis. Mrs. Obama is wearing a multicolored dress and sits with her legs crossed. A sign in the background reads, “Obama Leadership Network.”](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/6kSesCpazDDZVIFQX3E7Pt/7c0c35fd5da3d3b0830844e2ca919493/53345428228_1bb25420a3_o.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Leaders
- Michelle Obama
We marked the fifth anniversary of the Leaders program where it all began.
Learn more![Daniel Fairley II, a Black man with a light skin tone smiles at the camera. He has short black hair and glasses. He is wearing a light purple blazer and a dark purple hoodie.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/JYbzko7rO2GbvSrs2bkAw/eba0cde8507d227c1df5ea394ef404e9/daniel.jpeg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Alumni
- Leaders
Meet an Obama Leader supporting Virginians in need.
Learn moreBuilding the Center
All building the center stories![On a clear blue-sky day, President Obama stands in a hard hat and a brightly colored safety vest at the Obama Presidential construction site and signs a beam. A large group of construction workers with various skin tones also wearing safety clothing surround him.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/2iuQJEpSt8jn794XIOa4el/aeffdcd95f25e369e64c68c10dbd3690/IMGL7053_updated.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Building the Center
- Chicago
The Museum Building at the Obama Presidential Center has reached its final height of 225 feet.
Learn more![Power of Words cropped](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/1GhRbMcUhG5AXhFTcVL0kA/efd78b5164dc500f02c84f84851d91de/Screen_Shot_2024-04-26_at_12.50.08_PM.png)
Get a sneak peek at a four-story digital wall that will celebrate the “Power of Words” and pay homage to the first digital President.
Learn more![Fruit & Veg Garden Planters](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/783FuYU8vgO9uIjmUPAo6y/26ce4a419b7a5f18311e64e05f5a35e6/Fruit___Veg_Garden_Planters.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
Explore the Center’s environmentally sustainable designs, from buildings to gardens.
Learn more![A woman with a medium-deep skin tone wearing an orange, gray, and yellow construction jacket and helmet looks up toward the sky while on a construction site. There are cranes in the background.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/6e3TuUP44BhSG2r9d0k5jo/ac1f227efff3d64f6082ba214c4007ba/Carey_OF_1373-4-scaled.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Building the Center
- Chicago
Learn how we're getting local residents involved in the building trades.
Learn moreChicago
All Chicago stories![A group of high school students with a range of light to deep skin tones pose around Gallerist Easy Otabo and artist Michael C. Thorpe. In the background, a monitor displays the Obama Foundation rising sun logo and reads, “Obama Foundation.”](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/bCRuxCkCfkkORqbJPllr5/e4340114ca90b5d97881df8bd08060c6/dyett.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
- Youth
- The Arts
See how the students explored expression and possibilities at EXPO Chicago.
Learn more![GOA girls in Chicago](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/4yU917xThz91iqGbjpT9bi/50010141932c01490a2ff54871f4765a/GOAinChicagopressrelease.png)
Find out how 14 organizations will expand their programing and impact.
Learn moreAhead of her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, hear how one Obama Leader leverages the power of music to educate, entertain, and heal her community.
Learn more![Brandon Breaux, a Black man with a deep skin tone, stands over five seated students. On the table is an iPad and illustrations. He is wearing a mint beanie. Space art is on the wall in the background.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/3u1prsyGprdtssBTF3AUur/14f8119d02ca4c97ef3ee56e7542dac8/OF012323TG_326.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- First Look
- The Arts
Artist Brandon Breaux and Dyett High School students showcase the power of culture and community.
Learn moreDefending democracy
All defending democracy stories![President Obama stands behind a podium at the 2023 Obama Foundation Democracy Forum. He is looking left and away from the audience in front of him. He is wearing a black suit. Two clear teleprompters are on the side of him.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/7lwF7XwnMr6u0Q8b3zAdrZ/bb81516d6fb5ed6b48f4147f0c721ec7/53308143019_b50937565e_o.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Event
- Defending Democracy
Learn how you can help foster global democracy and civic engagement.
Learn more![President Obama stands behind a podium and speaks to an audience. A screen behind him reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.” He is wearing a black suit without a tie.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/6dygrL0ehVXfpmRtlIU1dd/5fd9a92f40fcc6b68d9dfa699d19c8b5/OF110323TG_2010.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Defending Democracy
- Barack Obama
![President Obama waves goodbye to a crowd as he walks off stage](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/4Z6wCscemBbhQo2Rd4p1cN/d8e3217b820005bd81e7c0f8a257239c/OF042122MKC_0002-scaled.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Defending Democracy
- Barack Obama
Hear President Obama share his vision for the internet in this keynote address at Stanford University.
Learn more![President Obama sits at a table between two men and women with a range of skin tones and clothing styles. The President’s right arm is extended as he looks away from the camera.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/33VBBhSYeqAyiI0Qsbun0i/27650113d7335c3231771dbbf21d8d45/OF050223JD_016.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Defending Democracy
- Leaders
This week in Berlin, Germany, President Obama sat down with 18 alumni of our leadership programs from across Europe for a roundtable conversation about the importance of nurturing democracy.
Learn moreObama picks
All Obama picks![A white graphic with a multicolored blue-green border reads “Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2023: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride; The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut; Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond; How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair; The Wager by David Grann; The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff; Humanly Possible by Sarah Bakewell; King: A Life by Jonathan Eigh; The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese; The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen; All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby; The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory by Tim Alberta; Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista; and This Other Eden by Paul Harding.”](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/5k7Fsq4wsoGrLXzCeZnp4r/e8828b09807d1f5fb4f7f822aedc1e41/endofyearList_2023__1_.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
![A piece of Mrs Obama is pictured on a white plate.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/8XsDK3WA657q41G37f1tF/071c245fdebe990349ff91ab4355fe45/DSCF1551.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Michelle Obama
- Obama Picks
Now you can make the former first lady’s holiday favorite at home!
Learn more![March Madness Photo 2024](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/HgFphxVFMPzQcwBhBZ4ll/5466e0f865408cdb727612db5e012803/Marchmadnessimage.png)
See how the President's predictions panned out!
Learn more![President and Mrs. Obama are standing close to one another–President Obama is leaning in and Mrs. Obama is smiling with her hands clasped in front of each other– in a carpeted room with large pieces of artwork on the walls and a flag with the United States seal. Text overlay reads “You’re the Barack to my Michelle” and a pink border surrounds the whole image.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/69IpTjjS3QDt6lMpnUMGnN/47952ad8561d62264aa02437e4b6ce91/Notecard-1.png?q=75&w=1014&fm=)
- Obama Picks
- Barack Obama
Celebrate your Valentine today with one of our downloadable cards!
Learn more![Holding a basketball, President Obama faces a group of young men during a My Brother's Keeper meeting.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/fVPMlMHxf2DQWOji7oCHF/44ffa9a88d8ea87979ff43e6c1b1a3c8/ar_programs_mbka_a.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
- Obama Picks
- Barack Obama
Compare brackets and find out how President Obama’s predictions panned out.
Learn more![An illustration of four people with a range of light to deep skin tones lifting one another up on top of a paper plane. The background is pink.](http://images.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/3mmwnkKbN2XIHW0mNldBIy/f5190279291cc4bd449005400211ea2c/OF_NEWSLETTER_Gritti_01.jpg?q=75&w=1014&fm=webp)
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