Education stories

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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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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A group of students with medium-light to medium-dark skin tones, wearing khaki pants and a variety of hair styles, stand in front of a white building that reads “Mielle” and a graphic of a woman with long black hair on the wall.
  • Programs
  • The Arts
The 2023-2024 Futures Series Lineup

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders.

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama is seated while holding a microphone and sporting long box braids. She is seated in front of signage that says “Futures Series” with the Obama Foundation logo.
  • Programs
  • The Arts
The 2022-2023 Futures Series Lineup

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders.

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A rendering of the Library at the Obama Presidential Center. People of all ages and ranges of light to deep skin tones read books at different sections of the library.
  • First Look
  • Building the Center
Sneak peek: the Chicago Public Library at the Obama Presidential Center

This unique partnership is the first of its kind and will feature digital media spaces and educational resources for kids and adults.

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Indigenous girls of the Sacred Valley Project work on school activities together at a long table covered in books, worksheets, colorful markers, and other school supplies.
  • Watch
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
Meet the Girls of Sacred Valley Project

Learn how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports secondary education for girls in rural Peru.

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Betty, a young woman with a dark skin tone, turns around and poses for the photo while walking down a dirt path. She is wearing a striped yellow shirt, a black backpack, and has dyed pink hair.
  • Watch
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
Betty’s story

See how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports STEM education for Kenyan girls with disabilities.

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Brenda, a young Tanzanian girl with a dark skin tone, raises her hand among her classmates. The group is outside and Brenda wears a school uniform with a white collared shirt, striped tie, and sweater. They are all a range of medium to dark skin tones.
  • Watch
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
Brenda’s story

Learn how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports community-driven solutions that advance equality and climate justice in Tanzania.

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Mrs. Obama hugs a student in a classroom from Malawi as part of her visit to the AGE Africa program. She is wearing a long dress and is standing in a classroom with green walls and chairs that is filled with students. The other girls sit in a circle in their uniforms as they smile and engage with each other.
  • Programs
  • Watch
Mrs. Obama reconnects with girls from AGE Africa

Last fall, Mrs. Obama spent time with an inspiring group of young women in Malawi who are part of the Girls Opportunity Alliance.

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Addison, a young Black girl with a light skin tone, films with her camera along Lake Michigan in Chicago. She is wearing a black t-shirt, hoop earrings, and her hair is curly.
  • Watch
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
Addison’s story

Watch how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports girls through mentorship programs in Chicago.

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Liza Zaruba, a woman with a light skin tone and long blonde hair, stands in between country flags outside of the United Nations. She rests her hands on her hips and is wearing a white blouse and yellow pants.
  • Voyagers
  • Global Reach
Obama-Chesky Voyager travels from Togo to Geneva to make a difference in health care

Explore Liza Zaruba's Summer Voyage, and learn how she plans to apply her new health care skills back in Chicago.

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missing
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth
MBK Omaha, the journey to impact

MBK Omaha has become a Model Community for showing a population-level impact on Milestone 6, all youth remain safe from violent crimes by demonstrating a 30 percent decrease in homicides from 2011 to 2022.

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Dr. Edwin Quezada, a man with a medium skin tone points as he speaks to an audience. He is wearing glasses and a powder blue suit.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth
MBK Yonkers leads the way in graduation rate for students of color

Hear directly from one of the My Brother’s Keeper Model Communities on how they achieved a 91 percent graduation rate for students of color.

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  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Community Engagement
The Girls Opportunity Alliance supports Chicago organization mentoring Black girls

Discover how Ladies of Virtue is transforming lives through mentorship and leadership

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A black-and-white headshot of a woman with long dark wavy hair, parted to the side. She wears a floral blouse and dark suit jacket. There are three graphic circles behind her: one teal, one light green and one white..
  • Equality
  • Defending Democracy
Meet the Obama Leader making history for war victims in the Balkans

Hear directly from Adrijana Hanušić Bećirović as she talks about human rights and what the Obama Leadership program has meant to her.

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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.”
  • Youth
  • The Arts
Chicago high school students meet artists on Obama Foundation Futures Series field trip

See how the students explored expression and possibilities at EXPO Chicago.

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Michelle Obama addresses the Global Summit on Women's Empowerment in Dubai. Michelle Obama is sitting at a long table surrounded by three other women. The women are speaking to one and other and smiling.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Programs
In the News: The Girls Opportunity Alliance

Learn more about how the Girls Opportunity Alliance is working to empower and educate girls around the world

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Ryan Pavel, a man with light skin tone, stands smiling in front of a sign that reads "Warrior-Scholar Project."
  • Leaders
  • USA
Obama Leader and former Marine empowers veterans through access to education

Meet 2023 United States Obama Leader Ryan Pavel, veteran, and CEO of Warrior-Scholar Project.

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Elpida Kokkota smiles as she stands next to Jame Kalekye Mutambya, a Black woman with a deep skin tone and short hair, and Mercy Musomi, a Black woman with a deep skin tone and short curly hair. Jame holds a peace sign as they stand in front of a booth at a Naroibi cultural market. In the background is art and handmade bags.
  • Leaders
  • Europe
Obama leader provides economic education to more than 10,000 Kenyan women

Find out how Elpida is making a difference for female entrepreneurs in Kenya.

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Ireen Chikatula poses for a photo with 11 teenage students. They have a deep skin tone and some are wearing school uniforms. Ireen Chikatula holds a sign that reads, “Because girls matter!”
  • Equality
  • Leaders
Meet the Obama leader bringing opportunity to rural Zambia’s women

Learn how Ireen is improving the livelihood of women and girls in Zambia’s rural communities.

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A large visual of "2022" with blue and green ombre numbers and white background.
  • Stories
  • Programs
Inspiring hope. Taking action.

As we reflect on this year, we couldn’t be more proud of the work of our global network of leaders who are tackling some of the most vital issues of our time and working together to strengthen their communities and our institutions.

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This picture shows a man and a woman with medium skin tones crouching behind a tree outside, with a pink bicycle behind them.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Asia-Pacific
Hay’s story

Read Hay’s story from Vietnam.

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A young woman with a medium-deep skin tone and long black and brown hair, is shown in a school classroom holding multiple books.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Asia-Pacific
Kiran’s story

Read Kiran’s story from India.

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A woman with medium-deep skin, long hair, eye shadow, and red lipstick lightly smiles. She has a camo military shirt on, a belt and jeans on. The setting is a classroom in ok condition.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Asia-Pacific
Laxmi’s story

Laxmi’s story

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In this picture a lady with a deep skin tone wearing a teal shirt and a light blue dress with flower patterns is shown sitting on a tree stump.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Equality
Rebecca’s story

Rebecca’s story

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In this picture, a man and a woman with a deep skin tone are shown in white lab shirts. The woman faces the camera while the man doesn't.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Watch
Diana’s story

Watch Diana’s story from Malawi.

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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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President Obama gives a speech on stage at Hyde Park Academy High School. There are two stools and two Obama Foundation posters behind him.
  • Futures Series
  • Youth
Forging the future

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to a variety of career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders about their experiences.

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President Obama on stage taking a group photo with people who have a light golden skin tone wearing formal clothing
  • Barack Obama
  • Watch
Ten years of DACA

On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced DACA, an executive action to lift the shadow of deportation for young people who came to the United States as undocumented immigrants.

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President Obama waves goodbye to a crowd as he walks off stage
  • Defending Democracy
  • Barack Obama
Democracy in the digital realm

Hear President Obama share his vision for the internet in this keynote address at Stanford University.

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President Barack Obama sits amongst young individuals of a variety of skin complexions. President Obama is smiling and so are the young individuals around him.
  • Scholars
  • Barack Obama
President Obama returns to his roots to support young leaders

President Obama joined with University of Chicago Scholars for a thoughtful conversation about their work and the issues that are impacting their work. He later dropped in to Hyde Park Academy on the South Side of Chicago for a Futures Series conversation!

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José Rico, former Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, speaks at the White House Hispanic Action Summit in Durham, NC.
  • Alumni
  • Community Engagement
Taking up the baton: José Rico

Meet an Obama Alum who is helping young Chicagoans reach their dreams

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President Obama fist bumps a young girl with a medium skin tone while sitting in front of a computer. He is sitting at a table with another young woman with a deep skin tone.
  • Presidential History
  • Barack Obama
Celebrating 100,000 new STEM teachers for America’s classrooms

This week, 100kin10 announced they exceeded a goal President Obama set in 2011: to recruit and train 100,000 new STEM teachers by 2021.

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Yuma Ventures
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance grantees rise to serve their communities throughout COVID-19
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Dane Washington Jr
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth
MBK young leader spotlight: Dane Washington Jr.

Inspiring Hope in Denver, One Student at a Time

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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.

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