USA

Jibreel Jalloh, a Black male with a dark skin tone, holds a microphone as he speaks at a gun violence prevention rally in Canarsie, Brooklyn. He is surrounded by protestors with a range of light to dark skin tones holding posters. Jibreel is wearing a green suit.
  • Community Engagement
  • Scholars
From Canarsie to the World: How one Obama Scholar is transforming Brooklyn communities

Jibreel Jalloh, a passionate civic leader and community organizer from Canarsie, Brooklyn, shares his challenges of addressing gun violence and environmental issues.

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A collage image of (from left to right) Jessica Byrd, Carri Twigg, Abdul Dosunmu, Derick Dailey, Carlisha Williams Bradley Jamila Thomas, and Reverend Ciera Bates-Chamberlin.
  • Community Engagement
  • Leaders
Obama leaders carrying the legacy of Juneteenth

Take a look at a few Obama leaders fighting for racial equality across the country.

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A rainbow colored Chicago flag is raised at the Chicago pride parade. A group of people with a range of light to dark skin tones
  • Equality
  • Leaders
Meet Obama Leaders supporting the global LGBTQIA+ community

Obama Leaders are championing LGBTQIA+ rights, not just in celebration, but in action.

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President Obama poses for a photo with Michelle Obama. They are standing outdoors.
  • Community Engagement
  • MBK Alliance
How fatherhood shapes these Obama Leaders

From Chicago to Nairobi, fathers and mentors share how parenting deepened their leadership and strengthened their communities.

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A headshot image of Julie Chávez Rodriguez. She has an olive complexion and dark hair that falls to her shoulders. She is smiling in the picture. She is wearing a purple shirt with a v-neck collar and a pendant necklace with three circles. One of the circles has the letter "J." She is standing outside.
  • Presidential History
  • Alumni
Remembering DACA 13 Years Later

Take a look at passage of DACA through the eyes of leader and Obama alum, Julie Chávez Rodriguez

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Eduardo, a male with a light skin tone, take a selfie in front of a brown wooden sign that reads, “Sitka National Historical Park – National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.” The background is lush and green with tall trees. Eduardo is wearing glasses and a dark rain jacket. This photo was taken during Eduardo’s Summer Voyage, where he volunteered with the Sitka Conservation Society to learn about renewable energy, sustainability, and climate issues in Southeast Alaska. The woman behind him has a light skin tone. She is Zia NoiseCat, a staff member at the Society.
  • Voyagers
  • Sustainability
From Brazil to Alaska: One Voyager's commitment to beating climate change

Eduardo Marchi Linardi shows how empowering youth can shape climate policy and drive meaningful change on national and global levels.

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Han Pham, an asian woman with a light skin tone holds a closed lip smile. She is wearing a blue blazer and red lipstick.
  • Leaders
  • Changemakers
Explore How one Obama Leader is creating space for AANHPI women

Han Pham is building connection, visibility, and civic engagement through her community-led work with Badass Asian Women.

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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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Kamala Avila-Salmon, a Black woman with a dark skin tone smiles at the camera. She is wearing a yellow patterned dress and long locs.
  • Education
  • Leaders
Obama Leader uses storytelling as a tool for inclusion and representation

Kamala Avila-Salmon shares how inclusive storytelling drives cultural change, uplifts diverse voices, and fosters deeper human connection.

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A dozen young men with a range of light to dark skin tones touch the Baobab tree, at Cais do Valongo—the largest slave trade site in Rio. This tree stands as a symbol of resistance, at the site where many people were trafficked and enslaved.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth
MBKA youth explore leadership and culture in Brazil through global exchange

See how eight young men from Chicago and Newark gain leadership skills and cultural insight during MBKA's exchange program in Brazil.

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On a rooftop, four young men with a range of medium and dark skin tones pose for a photo. They are all wearing navy suit jackets, khaki pants, and blue and khaki ties.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Community Engagement
MBK Alliance youth explore leadership and culture in Brazil
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A headshot of Michael Hawthorne Jr. Michael has medium dark skin, short dark curly hair, and a gray and black goatee. He is wearing a dark blue blazer and looking directly into the camera.
  • Presidential History
  • Sustainability
Meet three Obama alumni working to create a more sustainable future

Take a look at three alumni advocating for a greener, cleaner climate across different sectors

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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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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.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth
Young leaders from MBK Alliance gain real-world experience at the Final Four

Meet the MBK Alliance youth attending the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.

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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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Robert Diamond, a man with a light skin tone smiles at the camera. He is wearing a suit and is standing at the White House.
  • Alumni
  • Changemakers
The act that improved mental health service for veterans

Explore the impact of the Clay Hunt Act a decade after its passage, as told by an Obama alumni

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An exterior shot of Studio Yogi. A banner outside the building reads, “Studio Yogi.”
  • Community Engagement
  • Chicago
South Side yoga studio fosters wellness and community

Julia Perkins founded Studio Yogi to make wellness accessible for all. Here’s how!

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A visual explanation of The Obama Foundation brand motif featuring lines, color, font, and symbols.
  • Building the Center
  • Education
Building on the past, looking ahead

As the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open its doors in 2026, our brand identity enters a new chapter.

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A group of young Black girls wearing dance leotards pose for a photo against a purple background.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Watch
Girls Opportunity Alliance helps girls in Chicago gain greater access to the arts

See how Praize Productions, Inc. nurtures girls’ talent, self-expression, and life skills through performing arts.

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Photo Credit: Blue Chalk Media “Firebreak” An aerial view of firefighters digging into the ground. All have a range of light to dark skin tones. They are outdoors and dressed in firefighter protective gear and black hard hats.
  • Take Action
  • Leaders
Obama Leader fights fires and changes lives

Discover how Royal Ramey’s Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program transforms lives, trains firefighters, and combats California’s wildfire crisis.

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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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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.”
  • Scholars
  • Changemakers
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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The image is a photo of a flooded street near Atlanta, Georgia due to Hurricane Helene. In the front of the photo dirty water has risen nearly above the hood of a white SUV. The white SUV has an open trunk. In the background a white van is driving down the wet and flooded street. To the right of the white van is a blue sedan car, turned horizontally, presumably stuck on the street. On both sides of the street are tall green trees.
  • Take Action
  • Quick Read
Take action to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton
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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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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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Ryan Pavel, a man with light skin tone, stands smiling in front of a sign that reads "Warrior-Scholar Project."
  • Education
  • Leaders
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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Ziad Ahmed, a man with a medium skin tone, smiles at the camera. He has black hair and is wearing a red patterned jacket. He is sitting on an apple box. The background is brown.
  • Youth
  • Leaders
Obama leader promotes inclusivity and amplification of young voices

Learn how Ziad Ahmed built a successful company by listening to the next generation.

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Nick Kennedy, a college-age Native American young man, stands in between a Canadian and American flag on flag poles. He is wearing a brown suit and a white name tag around his neck.
  • Equality
  • Voyagers
Obama-Chesky Voyager helps preserve his Indigenous culture

Nick Kennedy, an Obama-Chesky Voyager, is advocating for the preservation of Indigenous culture.

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Bethany Rivera Molinar, presents a workshop in front of eight others. Their backs are to the camera as they sit around a table. Bethany stands in front of a wall easel pad. She is wearing a Ciudad Nueva shirt and glasses.
  • Leaders
  • Changemakers
How an Obama leader is making a difference in a Texas immigrant community

Learn how Bethany Rivera Molinar is transforming her Texas neighborhood through community work.

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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
  • Scholars
Obama scholar advocates for youth mental health

DeKevious Wilson strengthens youth mental health through policy work.

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Destruction from wildfires seen on a Watercraft near downtown Lāhainā. Burned structures and vehicles are in the background. Several boats sit on the water.
  • Take Action
  • Stories
Take action to help those affected by fires in Hawaiʻi

Ways to support Maui and Lāhainā residents affected by wildfires.

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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
  • Presidential History
They said this day would never come

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

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Event goers make signs that read "powers for good."
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Chicago
Your friendly neighborhood superheroes

These Chicago organizers want you to check in on your neighbor

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