Scholars

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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Joséphine Goube, a tall woman with a light skin tone and dark hair, smiles as she faces an audience. She is wearing a tan blazer and white top. Behind her is a sign that reads, “Sistech.”
  • Changemakers
  • Global Reach
How one Obama Scholar promotes pluralism through her work with refugee women

Hear from Joséphine Goube on how her nonprofit, Sistech, helps foster connections between refugee women and professionals, breaking stereotypes and building mutual understanding

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This image shows four individuals, each captured in a close-up portrait. The first is a woman with a dark skin tone, wearing a yellow beanie, glasses, and a green sweatshirt with the words "Fresh Afrika." Next is a man with a light skin tone, dark hair, and a broad smile wearing a black hoodie. Next a woman with a light skin tone holds a closed lip smile. She is wearing a blue blazer and white top, with salt and pepper shoulder length hair and is wearing burnt orange lipstick. Last is a man with light skin, brown hair, wearing a black turtleneck and dark jacket, standing outdoors in a setting with snow and mountains in the background.
  • Changemakers
  • Programs
Meet the next generation of changemakers

Three of the Obama Foundation's global programs launched new cohorts in 2024. Learn more about these programs and how you can support our Leaders, Scholars, and Voyagers.

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A combination picture that includes the headshots of Ny Whitaker, Clarence Fluker, Jason Rahlan, and Pam Coleman. (From left to right:) Ny Whitaker has a medium deep complexion, long black hair, and dark brown eyes. She is wearing a gold blazer, a blue shirt, and a black watch with a gold frame. She is smiling off into the distance looking away from the camera to the left side. Behind her is a brown wall and a window that overlooks a city building. Jason Rahlan has a pale complexion, dark eyes, a bald head, and a dark brown goatee. He is wearing a checkered shirt and smiling into the camera. Behind him is a city street (presumably a street in Manhattan, New York.) Clarence Fluker has a deep medium skin complexion, a bald head, brown eyes, a mustache, and a closely cut goatee. He is wearing a white button down shirt and smiling into the camera. The background behind him is blue. Pam Coleman has a light olive complexion, blue eyes, and gray wavy hair. She is wearing a green shirt, a blue and red pendant necklace, and smiling into the camera. The background behind her is gray.
  • Youth
  • Voyagers
Meet four Obama Alumni mentors helping the next generation of changemakers

Find out what Obama Scholars and Voyagers are learning from our alumni.

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DeKevious Wilson, a Black man with a deep skin tone, looks off camera as he stands in front of a home. He has a salt and pepper afro and beard. He is wearing a Becoming a Man t-shirt and denim jacket.
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Youth
Obama scholar advocates for youth mental health

DeKevious Wilson strengthens youth mental health through policy work.

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Mustika Wijaya stands with the Wekeke village chief and religious leader at the site of Solar Chapter’s pump installation. They are surrounded by rocks and construction.
  • Sustainability
  • Global Reach
Obama scholar’s invention brings clean water to rural Indonesians

Obama Scholar creates clean water for rural Indonesians

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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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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.”
  • Barack Obama
  • Event
Read President Obama’s remarks at the Democracy Forum
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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.
  • Barack Obama
  • Event
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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The camera focuses on a man and woman with medium skin tones as they engage in conversation in a room of people
  • Presidential History
  • Programs
“I’m asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in yours.”

Five years later, a look back at President Obama’s farewell address and the call to action that drives our mission at the Foundation

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In a gray suit and blue tie and a black mask, Rachid Ennassiri, leans to his left with President Obama nearby, leaning to the right. President Obama wears a black mask and has his arms crossed.
  • Sustainability
  • Barack Obama
President Obama meets with emerging leaders during COP26 in Glasgow

After delivering remarks during COP26 in Glasgow, President Obama sat down with a group of emerging leaders from around the world who are doing their part to protect the planet. Check out what they discussed.

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A woman with a medium-deep skin tone and short blonde hair stands holding and showing a menstral cup to a man with a deep skin tone under a white tent.
  • Leaders
  • Global Reach
When worlds collide: Obama Foundation Scholar and African Leader team up to help African women

When Robert Katende from the Leaders: Africa program met Vanessa Paranjothy, an Obama Scholar at Columbia University, at the 2018 Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago, they discovered an opportunity to team up to help their communities.

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  • Stories
  • Chicago
Our common hope for our communities

In this opening session, hear from speakers like Janelle Monáe, Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, Cubs President Theo Epstein, and Obama Foundation program participants who are bound together by a shared hope

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The word "2017" in bold letters with each letter filled with a photo of happy, jubilant people, hands raised or clapping.
  • Chicago
  • Global Reach
2017: our first year in review

The Obama Foundation hit the ground running this year -- from launching a Fellowship program, to convening hundreds of civic innovators from around the world in Chicago, to hosting trainings for young leaders across the country.

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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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