Obama Foundation

Happy Hanukkah to all Jewish people celebrating the Festival of Lights around the world beginning tonight.

As families, friends, and neighbors gather to light the menorah, may Hanukkah's lessons inspire us all to give thanks for the blessings we enjoy, to find light in times of darkness, and to work together for a more hopeful tomorrow.

Today is , and we’re asking you to help us support the next generation of leaders who are making the world a more equitable place.

Your donation to the Obama Foundation helps us provide bright leaders in our network the connections, framework, and leadership they need to address challenges like gender-based violence, combating the climate crisis, and strengthening democracy.

And, thanks to a generous matching gift contribution, your donation can go twice as far! Chip in at https://donor.obama.org/page/W2311SFGTD1F

🧡 Happy Thanksgiving!

On this day of thanks, we are especially grateful for all the folks who are looking out for their neighbors, and helping make their communities a safer, more equitable place.

Our thoughts are with President Carter, the entire Carter family, and the The Carter Center community today, as the world honors the legacy of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

Grammy-award winning poet J. Ivy—who has worked with artists like Kanye West and Jay-Z—hosted our latest Futures Series in Chicago.

As a Chicago native himself, J. Ivy was able to offer Hyde Park Academy students inspiring advice and encouragement. He told the students, “instincts are the seeds of our purpose” and encouraged them to “listen, believe, love who you are. Know you are here for a reason.”

Our goal with this ongoing series is to expose local students to futures they may not be envisioning for themselves. And to remind them that young people hold the keys to a better future for us all.

In honor of , meet Ryan Pavel: one of our inspiring from our Leaders USA program.

We spoke to him to learn more about how he’s using his experiences as a veteran, teacher, and attorney for his advocacy work in his community.

Learn more about how Ryan and his team at the Warrior Scholar Project are working to propel enlisted veterans toward success in higher education and beyond.

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.

Before he takes the stage at tomorrow's , President Barack Obama spent some time with our program participants to hear directly from them about the challenges they face as they work to strengthen democratic culture in their communities and beyond.

Together, they explored new approaches to get the buy-in they need from the communities they serve.

📸 Here's a look at the day:

This Saturday marks the 15th anniversary of then-Senator Barack Obama election as the 44th President of the United States.

It was a watershed moment in our nation’s history, made possible by the work of millions of supporters around the country.

We checked in with a few to see what the moment meant for them and how they’re continuing to carry the baton of hope. Take a look:

Yes We Can: Taking Up The Baton 15 Years Later Learn about six 2008 alumni and their positive impact on our world 15 years later.

🚨 You asked and we delivered:

Here's a new way you can support our mission to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders!

Take a look at our official Obama Foundation online store 👀 https://shop.obama.org/

We’ve got an exciting week ahead in Chicago! 👏🏾

Before we officially convene at the 2023 , leaders from across our programs are gathering in our hometown for meaningful conversations around democracy. 👏

We’re also thrilled to welcome these leaders and other changemakers to the South Side — the home of the future Obama Presidential Center.

Follow along on social media and at https://www.obama.org/democracy-forum-2023/

We’re just 6️⃣ days away from the 2023 !

Set your reminders and tune in to our livestream as President Barack Obama joins thought leaders, and changemakers to discuss how we can build a stronger democratic culture together.

Tune in Nov 3 to join the conversation: https://www.obama.org/democracy-forum-2023/

BIG NEWS! Today, we’re excited to share some of the incredible panelists that will take the stage at the next week:

⭐ Ian Bassin, co-founder and Executive Director of Protect Democracy. Ian previously served as
Associate White House Counsel.

⭐ Regina Hall, Award-winning actress and producer

⭐ Mandy Teefey, co-founder and CEO of Wondermind

⭐ Shani Tran, licensed therapist and author

Presented by MacArthur Foundation at the : Media experts and journalists dive into the role local news plays in keeping democracies healthy. Tune in to the livestream on November 3 to catch the conversation.

Find the full schedule at www.obama.org/democracy-forum-2023/

We’re thrilled to announce Emmy-nominated storyteller and producer Baratunde Thurston will host the on Nov 3! Baratunde is the co-creator and host of the How to Citizen with Bartunde podcast and host of the PBS Series America Outdoors.

Also taking the stage will be:

⭐ Maryland Governor Wes Moore to discuss how we can strengthen trust in our institutions.

⭐ Emma Grede, entrepreneur and Chairwoman of The Fifteen Percent Pledge, to share her innovative and inclusive approach to business.

Learn more about the sessions they’ll be taking part in and how you can follow along at: https://www.obama.org/democracy-forum-2023/

This we’re looking forward to the impact the Obama Presidential Center will have on our local community by providing access to nourishing spaces like the Fruit & Vegetable Garden and the Garden Classroom & Teaching Kitchen.

Located at one of the highest elevations in the Center’s landscape, atop what will be the new Chicago Public Library branch, the Fruit and Vegetable Garden will invite visitors to observe and participate firsthand in growing, harvesting, and preparing fresh fruits and vegetables – all in keeping with Mrs. Obama’s healthy eating initiatives and the White House Kitchen Garden she launched during her time as First Lady.

President Obama and our CEO Valerie Jarrett have been spending some time in New York City and Chicago with the 2023 Columbia University and University of Chicago .

These rising leaders, hailing from all around the globe, have had the opportunity to share more about their work, the challenges they’re facing, and what they’re looking forward to as they continue their journey through the Obama Foundation Scholars Program.

This group of will join us at the Foundation’s event later this month in Chicago. Stay tuned to our social media channels for more details, including how you can be part of the Forum online!

This Indigenous Peoples' Day, get to know Nick Kennedy. He's a proud First-Generation Registered Descendant of the Blackfeet Nation and a 2022-24 Obama-Chesky Voyager.

We spoke to Nick about his recent Summer Voyage at Buffalo Bill Center of the West, studying at University of South Dakota, and his passion for preserving his family’s rich history:

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

This year’s will bring together democracy experts, civil society, funders, policymakers, business and tech leaders, and young leaders for a deep dive into today’s increasingly-challenging information environment.

We’ll be live streaming conversations covering topics like the quick rise of generative AI, deepfakes and misinformation, social media’s impact on our ability to find meaningful connections, and more! Learn more about the event, including panel discussions, how you can stay engaged from afar, and more:

The Obama Foundation Democracy Forum Tune in for the 2023 Democracy Forum on Friday, November 3, 2023 to learn more!

🎾 Serving up for 31 years now!

Happy wedding anniversary to President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama. 💗

Thank you to Mayor Brandon Johnson (Chicago Mayor's Office) for visiting the Obama Presidential Center construction site today!

Two years after breaking ground in historic Jackson Park, we're proud of the progress we've been able to make together thanks to our incredible team, which includes many South and West side Chicagoans.

When we open our doors, we hope the Center will be a welcoming, vibrant campus where people from across the street or from around the globe can come to get inspired and find common ground. Learn more about our plans, including construction updates at: https://obama.org/presidential-center/

For Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, take a look at some of the ways the Obama Administration celebrated the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals during their time at the White House – from live performances from groups like The University of Texas Pan American Mariachi Aztlan band to signing Executive Orders like the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

On the , we’re dreaming of spending a day looking at this view at the future Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

What are you most excited about seeing when the Center opens?

in 2011 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was officially repealed by President Obama – ending the discriminatory policy that banned gay, le***an, and bisexual Americans from serving openly in the armed forces.

This historic policy change was made possible by the many activists and community leaders who fought against discrimination and continue to demand a more equitable world for us all.

Today, we honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001 in acts of terror across the United States, and all who defend our country and our ideals.

In 2013, President Obama shared: “We remember, and we will never forget the nearly 3,000 beautiful lives taken from us so cruelly — including 184 men, women and children here, the youngest just three years old. We honor the courage of those who put themselves in harm’s way to save people they never knew.”

Today we proudly welcome our sixth cohort of !

The 30 rising leaders from around the world are ready to take their work to the next level while participating in an intensive leadership development program while they study at The University of Chicago and Columbia University.

Want to know what pressing issues these Scholars are trying to solve in their communities? Visit

Obama Foundation Scholars The Obama Foundation Scholars program seeks to support rising leaders from around the world in an innovative one-year academic experience.

"This is a day that belongs to you—the working men and women of America. On , we celebrate your proud history. We pay tribute to the values that you embody — hard work, responsibility, sacrifice, and looking out for one another." —President Obama, 2013

Dekevious Wilson knows how powerful investing in the next generation can be. He says his path was shaped by mentorship, and that’s why he mentors dozens of students across the country.

As a 2022-23 Obama Foundation Scholar at University of Chicago and the regional manager at Becoming a Man (BAM), Dekevious is helping improve youth mental health through policy work.

“I want to make mental health a priority for Black and Brown boys and teach them how policy works,” DeKevious shared. “It's such a blessing to be in this position.”

Read more about his work:

Obama Scholar advocates for youth mental health DeKevious Wilson strengthens youth mental health through policy work.

Last week we unveiled a student-produced artwork that is displayed on part of the exterior of the Obama Presidential Center construction fence.

“The mural pays homage to the legacy of Chicago and the Obamas [...] and I’m proud of the work we did to create art that communicates to different kinds of people and allows them to see themselves in it,” said Brandon Breaux, the Chicago-based artist who led the students during this project.

We spoke with Brandon on what art, mentorship, and the Center means to him.

An ode to Chicago: The Obama Presidential Center mural Artist Brandon Breaux and Dyett High School students showcase the power of culture and community.