In-depth stories

The image is an in motion picture of a person break dancing on the street. The image is outside on a city street. In the background is a brick wall with a signs on it. In the picture are several people, surrounding the breakdancer, as they dance on the street. The breakdancer, who is in the center of the picture, is standing on one hand with their feet in the air. The dancer has on a orange, pink, yellow, and white sleeveless crop top, blue jeans, and grey sneakers. Around the picture are bubbles throughout the air.
  • Alumni
  • The Arts
Three Obama alumni use art to empower change

Explore the world of three Obama alumni harnessing the power of art to inspire action in their communities

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2024-2025 Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Njeke Joshua Egbe and Vera Osei-Bonsu are both tackling food insecurity across Africa, but each take a unique approach to combating malnutrition and improving access to healthy food.
  • Leaders
  • Africa
Obama Foundation Leaders are fighting hunger and malnutrition in Africa

This World Food Day, we're shining a spotlight on two Africa Leaders fostering food security in innovative ways.

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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
  • Scholars
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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Elpida Kokkota, a woman with a light skin tone, holds a closed lip smile. She has long black hair and is wearing red lipstick, bracelets on both arms, a white shirt, and floral skirt.
  • Leaders
  • Changemakers
Obama Leaders join forces across continents to create global opportunities for women

More than 140,000 women across 155 countries have educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, thanks to the 2023 Obama Leaders.

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A professional headshot of Ashlee Davis. She is standing in front of a glass window with a city skyline behind her. Ashlee has a medium deep complexion and shortly cropped black hair. She is wearing a blue plaid suit and a blue tie. She is smiling in the image.
  • Equality
  • Alumni
Ashlee Davis - Obama alum leading with PRIDE

Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities

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A image of Brian Bond standing in the Oval Office with President Obama, Tina Tchen, and Valerie Jarrett. Brian has an olive complexion and closely cropped dark hair, and glasses. He is wearing a dark colored suit, while facing President Obama. In his hands is a green memo. President Obama has a medium deep complexion and black and gray hair. He is wearing a dark colored suit and facing Brian Bond with his hands in his pocket. Tina Tchen has a medium olive complexion and dark hair cut to her shoulders. She is smiling at President Obama and Brian Bond. She is wearing a black dress with a plaid overcoat. Valerie Jarrett has a light deep complexion, short brown hair, and glasses. She is smiling in the direction of President Obama and Brian Bond with her arms crossed against her chest. She is wearing a green jacket and a light color skirt.
  • Equality
  • Alumni
Brian Bond - Obama alum leading with PRIDE

Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities

Learn more
Headshot of Dylan Orr. Dylan has an olive complexion with dark wavy hair. He is wearing a dark gray suit with a striped tie. In the image he is standing with his arms crossed on his chest. He has a wedding ring on his left finger.
  • Equality
  • Alumni
Dylan Orr - Obama alum leading with PRIDE

Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities

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A candid shot of Pamela Karlan. Pamela is standing outside in front of a large crowd of people. Pamela has pale skin and brown hair cut to her shoulders. She is wearing round glasses, a pearl necklace, and a dark blue blazer and shirt. She is smiling into the camera.
  • Equality
  • Alumni
Pamela Karlan - Obama alum leading with PRIDE

Get to know several LGBTQIA+ Obama alumni building power in their communities

Learn more
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.
  • Presidential History
  • Watch
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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A person wearing a hoodie with the hood up is shown in profile, crouching down to light a candle. She is seen in profile in the glow of candlelight coming from dozens of votives surrounded by assorted flowers. A set of small votive candles are arranged in the shape of a heart near the person’s foot. Six heart-shaped red balloons float above the vigil.
  • The Center
  • Building the Center
Future water garden to honor Ann Dunham, be graced by Maya Lin sculpture

Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Garden at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.

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A man with a light medium toned and a mix of white and grey hair, works on a wooden piece of art. His face is covered by a plastic face mask.
  • The Arts
  • Building the Center
Richard Hunt: inspiring us all to take flight

World-renowned sculptor and artist Richard Hunt was born and raised in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.

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Pastor Tracey Lee
  • Chicago
  • Watch
Inside the life of a violence interrupter

During an especially grueling summer, we spent a month capturing a glimpse of Tracey Lee’s day-to-day life as a violence interrupter, a pastor, and a supermom

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missing
  • 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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A group of people with a range of light to deep skin tones walk in front of a trolley. They are all wearing gray shirts with the Obama Foundation rising sun logo and holding up Obama Foundation signage.
  • Changemakers
  • Watch
Obama Foundation: Annual Report 2017
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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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