Community engagement stories

• First Look
• The Arts

Discover over 20 art installations that will stimulate creativity and inspire people to bring change home.

• First Look
• Building the Center

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

• Programs
• The Arts

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

• Programs
• The Arts

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

• Girls Opportunity Alliance
• Chicago

See how Girls in the Game is empowering girls through sports programming to develop their health, leadership, and life skills.

• MBK Alliance
• Youth

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.

• Girls Opportunity Alliance
• Education

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

• Youth
• The Arts

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

• First Look
• Building the Center

See the plans for the 45,000-square-foot multipurpose athletic and events facility coming to the Obama Presidential Center.

• First Look
• The Arts

Artist Brandon Breaux and Dyett High School students showcase the power of culture and community.

• Youth
• Chicago

We partner with Local Lunchbox to provide thousands of meals to our young people over the summer months.

• Event
• Sustainability

Hundreds clean South Side parks and beaches

• MBK Alliance
• Youth

Check out the Freedom Summer 2023 grant recipients!

• Building the Center
• Chicago

Meet the women behind the Obama Presidential Center

• Your Voice
• Presidential History

Preparing for Your Interview

• Your Voice
• Presidential History

Oral History FAQ

• Stories
• Programs

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.

• Health & Wellbeing
• Chicago

These Chicago organizers want you to check in on your neighbor

• Chicago
• Youth

This week, President and Mrs. Obama returned home for a series of events on the South and West Side of Chicago

• MBK Alliance
• Youth

Creating Safe and Engaging Spaces for Youth

• Building the Center
• Chicago

The organization is on track to meet its ambitious workforce and business diversity goals for construction.

• MBK Alliance
• Youth

Since 2005, New Life Centers of Chicagoland has addressed the needs of the neighbors surrounding New Life Community Church locations and beyond.

• Chicago
• Youth

Chicago lost another innocent life this weekend and this one came close to home.

• Michelle Obama
• Building the Center

From our earliest days of planning, we always knew we wanted to have a Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the future Obama Presidential Center

• Alumni
• Education

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

• Chicago
• Michelle Obama

President and Mrs. Obama were back in Chicago to show some holiday gratitude to the people and programs taking on some of the biggest issues in the community we call home.

• MBK Alliance
• Youth

• Chicago
• Changemakers

Read Michael Strautmanis' reflection on his friend and mentor, Dr. Timuel Black, who passed away on Wednesday, October 13.

• Equality
• Stories

Read the Obama Foundation's statement on anti-racism and equity.

• Building the Center
• Chicago

After years of hard work, dedication, and endless support from our Chicago neighbors and caring people all around the world, we broke ground on the Obama Presidential Center. Check out highlights from the ceremony.

• Barack Obama
• Chicago

President Obama recently spent a day on the South Side of Chicago with some of the Obama Presidential Center's future neighbors.

• Stories
• Barack Obama

What makes Chicago one of the best cities in the world? To some, it's the delectable food. For others, it’s the breathtaking skyline and lakefront. Depending on who you root for, it’s the sports. But here at the Obama Foundation, we believe it’s the people

• Building the Center
• Watch

The City of Chicago's prep work in Jackson Park officially kicks off our Road to Groundbreaking—a celebration of Chicago and everyone who is helping us make this dream a reality. Join us.

• MBK Alliance
• Youth

It’s been seven years since President Obama called on the nation to address the persistent opportunity gaps boys and young men of color face and to ensure all young people can reach their full potential.

• MBK Alliance
• Programs

Increasing Access to Reliable Transportation in Our Communities with the LyftUp Access Alliance

• MBK Alliance
• Changemakers

To some, gun violence and broken trust between police and community members seem like problems that are simply too big to fix, but not to Willie Barney.