Barack Obama

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  • Building the Center
  • Sustainability
Construction update April 2025: Celebrate Sustainability Month with us

Celebrate Sustainability Month with us and take a look at the latest developments at the Presidential Center

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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.
  • Defending Democracy
  • Chicago
The Democracy Forum

Each year, The Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum brings together leaders, activists, and changemakers to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing democracy today.

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Eight young men with a range of medium to dark skin tones play basketball on a black basketball court. Photo Credit: Lucas Kult-Banourt
  • MBK Alliance
  • Obama Picks
President Obama’s 2025 March Madness picks

March Madness is here—and we’re excited to continue our annual tradition of sharing President Obama’s Brackets. Check it out.

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President Obama smiles as he listens to a Black male with a deep skin tone rap from his phone. He is wearing glasses and a neon green cap. Two males with deep skin tones are in the background.
  • Obama Picks
  • The Arts
President Obama’s favorite films, books, and music of 2024

From books and movies to music, explore the stories and art that inspired President Obama in 2024.

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A group of people with a range of light to dark skin tones pose in front of a banner that reads, “Bring Change Home.”
  • Stories
  • Building the Center
2024 year in review
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President Obama sits in a semi circle with Obama Scholars. All are dressed professionally and have a range of light to dark skin tones. Yellow and blue signs are in the background that read, “Obama Foundation Scholars.”
  • Defending Democracy
  • Virtual Event
Ways to embrace pluralism in your daily connections

A 5-step guide to embracing pluralism, fostering connection, and engaging inclusively this holiday season.

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President Obama sits in a circle and speaks to Leaders with a range of ages and light to medium skin tones. His arms are outstretched. He is wearing a gray button up.
  • The Arts
  • Obama Picks
President Obama’s favorite books and music of the summer

Check out President Obama’s summer list of top picks: books and music.

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President Obama smiles as he sits with his legs crossed. A sign behind him reads, “Our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world” and “Obama Foundation.” Out of focus to the right, two people sit side by side.
  • Your Voice
  • Stories
Sign President Obama’s birthday card

Join us in celebrating President Obama’s birthday by writing him a personal note.

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An image of Michelle Obama embracing her mother Marian Robinson. Both women have a medium deep complexion and straight dark hair that hits their shoulders. They are both wearing white.
  • In memoriam
  • Donate
Celebrating the legacy of Marian Robinson

Honoring the legacy of our “First Mother-in-Law”

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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.
  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update June 2024: President Obama marks the completion of the Museum Building

The Museum Building at the Obama Presidential Center has reached its final height of 225 feet.

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President Obama is smiling wearing sunglasses, a white hardhat with the Obama Foundation rising sun logo, gloves, and a bright orange safety vest over a long dress coat. He is holding a cup of coffee and standing next to a white woman wearing a neon yellow construction coat, hard hat, and goggles. They are walking in front of three other people with a range of light to deep skin tones wearing orange safety vests and white hard hats. They are all walking in an unfinished building with scaffolding in the background.
  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
December 8th 2023 – construction update

See the latest photos and stay up-to-date on the building process.

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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.
  • Watch
  • Presidential History
A look back at 14 years of the Affordable Care Act

Hear from President Obama as he reflects on this milestone moment.

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President Obama and then Vice President Joe Biden clap as they stand at a conference table. In the background, people with a range of light skin tones clap and cheer. All are dressed professionally.
  • Presidential History
  • Watch
Oral histories offer reflections on the Affordable Care Act

Personal stories released that highlight the legacy and impact of the ACA

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President Obama shoots a basketball into a hoop. He is dressed professionally and is on the White House Basketball court. A White House logo is on the base of the basketball hoop.
  • Obama Picks
President Obama’s 2024 March Madness picks

Check out President Obama’s Barack-ets!

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President Obama tilts his head upwards along with out-of-focus onlookers. A digital screen shows something out of focus behind him.
  • Watch
  • Building the Center
See President Obama’s reaction to the museum’s newest (and largest!) exhibit

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.

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President Obama stands in the middle of young leaders at MBK Rising! All men are dressed professionally and have a range of light to deep skin tones.
  • Youth
  • MBK Alliance
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance celebrates 10 years of making a difference for Black youth

Take a look back at some of the program's most inspiring moments.

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Representative John Lewis and President Barack Obama are sitting in a room together laughing in the middle of a conversation. Representative Lewis is sitting on a couch on the left-hand side of the image with his hands placed on his left knee. He is an older, brown-skinned man with a bald head. He is wearing a blue suit, with a white button-down shirt, and a blue tie. The couch Rep. Lewis is sitting on, is the color brown. President Obama is sitting on the right side of the image in a beige chair. He is wearing a black suit with a blue button-down shirt. His arms are placed on the side of the chair. In the room of the image is a beige coffee table with a large blue book on top of it. On the front of the book is the number, “44.” The room has beige walls with pictures on the left side. On the wall are three pictures: the largest picture features a blue background and the figure of a man’s arms and head; the second largest picture is an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking during the March on Washington; the smallest picture is indistinguishable. In the room there is a small brown side table that sits between Rep. John Lewis and President Barack Obama. On the side table is a table lamp with a white lamp shade and two framed pictures.
  • In memoriam
  • Changemakers
Celebrating the enduring legacy of John Lewis and his work with the Obama Foundation

Learn about the work of civil rights icon John Lewis and his influence on President Obama and the Obama Foundation.

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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.
  • Obama Picks
  • Michelle Obama
Obama-themed valentines to share with your love

Celebrate your Valentine today with one of our downloadable cards!

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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.
  • Defending Democracy
  • Chicago
Read President Obama’s remarks from the 2023 Democracy Forum
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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.”
  • Obama Picks
  • The Arts
President Obama’s favorite films, books, and music of 2023
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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.
  • Event
  • Defending Democracy
3 takeaways from the 2023 Democracy Forum

Learn how you can help foster global democracy and civic engagement.

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democracy forum
  • Defending Democracy
  • Event
The 2023 Democracy Forum

Check out the highlights!

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  • First Look
  • Building the Center
President Obama announces programs wing at the Obama Presidential Center
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President Obama poses for a photo with Guitars Over Guns participants. He is surrounded by 17 others with a range of light to deep skin tones.
  • MBK Alliance
  • The Arts
President Obama surprises MBK Alliance summer grantees at Chicago music studio

Learn more about Nathan, his experience at Guitars Over Guns, and his plans for the future.

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President Obama stands in the middle of a recording studio. He is surrounded by 15 other young people with a range of light to deep skin tones. President Obama has his arms crossed and is wearing black slacks and a gray button down shirt.
  • Youth
  • MBK Alliance
Highlights from President Obama’s May 2023 Chicago trip

See how President Obama is supporting youth and making a difference for young men.

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Barack Obama a man with golden brown skin sitting at a table wearing a formal suit while writing with a diverse group of people behind him with mainly neutral light skin and a little boy with brown skin wearing a formal suit looking at the paper Barack is writing on
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Watch
In depth: How the Affordable Care Act changed America

Understand the impact of this historic legislation for American families and share your story.

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Michelle Obama, her eyes watering with tears and her mouth pursed, sits in a room full of people. Bright spotlights are on the back wall. Everyone looks dressed in formal suit attire.
  • Equality
  • Presidential History
15 Years Later: a look back at the “More Perfect Union” speech

When then-Senator Obama delivered a speech titled “A More Perfect Union” 15 years ago today, it became known simply as the “speech on race.”

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President and Mrs. Obama face Lake Michigan as they look at the Chicago skyline. Their backs are to the camera as they embrace.
  • Chicago
  • The Center
Why Chicago’s South Side means so much to the Obamas

From its vibrant history to their own personal history, here's a brief overview of the impact Chicago has had on the Obamas.

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Holding a basketball, President Obama faces a group of young men during a My Brother's Keeper meeting.
  • Obama Picks
  • Stories
President Obama’s 2023 March Madness picks

Compare brackets and find out how President Obama’s predictions panned out.

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Barack Obama sits on a red and tan couch holding the hand of a woman (his mother-in-law Marian Robinson). They are both dressed formally, in suit attire. The two appear to be watching something intently.
  • In-depth
  • Presidential History
A look back at the 2008 election

Relive the 2008 election through the eyes and words of those who lived it below.

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  • Watch
  • Presidential History
President Obama reunites with woman behind 2008’s ‘hottest’ campaign catchphrase

Meet the woman behind the famous chant that inspired the nation.

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A photo of President Obama and a circle group of middle aged men and women. They are in a small office space, that has see in glass on the left. On the floor is a yellow/beige carpet with brown designs. Each person sits in a light black chair except President Obama who is standing and saying something. On their right are a set of spread out Obama Foundation Posters. Two men and women sit with light skin are sitting in the left of the photo in formal attire. On the right is one man and woman with medium to deep skin tones in formal attire. There faces are not visible to the camera.
  • Stories
  • USA
They said this day would never come

Then-Senator Obama’s Iowa Caucus Victory, 15 Years Later

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President Obama stands behind a podium as he speaks at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum. The president wears a black suit and white collared shirt. In the background is a blue, green, and yellow gradient graphic that reads, “Democracy Forum.”
  • Event
  • Defending Democracy
Read President Obama’s remarks at the Democracy Forum
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A side view of President Obama wearing black shades, a black jacket, and black pants, He at the bow of a boat surrounded by water around.
  • Presidential History
  • Sustainability
The best possible shot to save the one planet we’ve got

Five years ago this week, the Paris Climate Agreement took effect, as nearly 200 nations committed to reduce their carbon emissions for the first time.

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President Obama shakes hands with a seated young person with medium skin and an excited expression. A crowd of young people with various skin tones watches.
  • Chicago
  • Youth
The Obamas return home to support Chicago’s youth

This week, President and Mrs. Obama returned home for a series of events on the South and West Side of Chicago

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White text that reads "Obama Foundation Democracy Forum" on a mostly blue sunset background.
  • Defending Democracy
  • Equality
The Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

Watch highlights from the first-ever Democracy Forum held in New York City.

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