The Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

As President Obama always says, the story of America is a story of progress, rooted in the great gift of our democracy—but we can’t afford to take either for granted. Both progress and our democracy itself are fragile. They depend on our constant engagement. And for all the true progress we have made together, there’s so much more we need to do to build an economy that’s fairer, a society that’s more just, a union that’s more perfect, and a democracy that not only weathers challenging times, but reflects changing ones.

That’s why we’re bringing together leaders at this year's Forum who are focused on cultivating a healthier discourse, building a more inclusive economy, reinvigorating institutions to encourage active citizenship, and promoting democratic culture around the world.

A man with dark skin tone smiles with his hands in his pockets while wearing a "15" year Obama Alumni shirt. A woman with dark skin tone smiles with her arm on the man beside her, while wearing an Obama HOPE shirt.

Show your support with t-shirts, mugs, and vintage gear.

Obama Foundation Shop

Today, technology is poised to fundamentally transform how we work, communicate, and connect in American society—and once again, our democracy hangs in the balance. At this year's Democracy Forum, President Obama will join activists, thought leaders, and changemakers to discuss the challenges that innovations like AI pose to economic and social inclusion, and what we can do about it. After all, when it comes to our democratic future, there’s no sideline to sit on.

Highlights

Highlights from the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum 2023

President Obama stands behind a podium at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum. The front of the podium reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.” A screen in the background says the same.

1/24

President Obama stands behind a podium and speaks to an audience. A screen behind him reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.” He is wearing a black suit without a tie.

2/24

President Obama stands behind a podium and speaks to an audience. Two clear teleprompters are in front of him. A screen behind him reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.” He is wearing a black suit without a tie.

3/24

A Black woman with a deep skin tone stands in front of a board and writes on a sticker. She is wearing glasses and has curly brown locs. Her sticker reads, “collective resisting.”

4/24

Three women with a range of light to medium skin tones sit in a crowd with their hand over their heart. Two of the women have their eyes closed. Others are out of focus in the background.

5/24

A Black man with a deep skin tone stands in front of a sign that reads, “How can we strengthen trust in institutions?” He is speaking to a woman with a deep skin tone and no hair. She is wearing a blue blazer. He is wearing a white dashiki and multi-colored kufi.

6/24

7/24

Nancy Gibbs, a woman with a light skin tone, sits center stage alongside John Palfrey, a man with a light skin tone, Sonal Shah, a woman with a medium skin tone, Darryl Holliday, a Black man with a deep skin tone and locs, and Judy Woodruff, a woman with a light skin tone and short brown hair. The screen behind them reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

8/24

DeMario Phipps-Smith, a Black man with a medium skin tone stands next to Peter Adams, a man with a light skin tone on a stage. The screen behind them reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

9/24

Mandy Teefey, a woman with a light skin tone and short blonde hair speaks on a panel alongside Regina Hall, a Black woman with a medium skin tone. The screen behind them reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

10/24

Regina Hall, a Black woman with a medium skin tone, moderates a panel alongside Mandy Teefey, a woman with a light skin tone and short blonde hair, Alex Smith, a man with a light skin tone and and Shani Tran, A Black woman with blue tipped braids. The screen behind them reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

11/24

Chicago Mayor, Brandon Johnson, a Black man with a deep skin tone, stands behind a podium as he speaks to an audience. The front of the podium reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

12/24

Valerie Jarrett, a Black woman with a light skin tone, stands behind a podium as she speaks to an audience. The front of the podium reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

13/24

Democracy Forum host Baratunde Thurston, a Black man with a deep skin tone, stands on stage at the 2023 Obama Foundation Democracy Forum. He is wearing a gray suit.

14/24

Valerie Jarrett sits on a panel alongside Maryland governor Wes Moore, a Black man with a medium skin tone and no hair, and Ian Bassin, a man with a light skin tone. The screen behind them reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

15/24

uan Carlos Monterrey, a man with black hair and a medium skin tone, looks on attentively as he listens to speakers at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.

16/24

A Black woman with a deep skin tone smiles away from the camera. She is wearing a red sequin top and a hat that reads, “Obama, change we can believe in.”

17/24

John Palfrey, a man with a light skin tone and thin brown hair sits on a panel at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum. A sign behind him reads, “press forward.”

18/24

Ellen Alberding, a woman with a light skin tone and short gray hair, holds a microphone to her mouth as she sits on a stage. The background is blue. She is wearing a burgundy jacket and glasses.

19/24

Suzanne Nossel, a woman with a light skin tone and curly brown hair holds a microphone to her mouth as she sits on a stage. The background is blue. She is wearing a blue dress and glasses.

20/24

21/24

Alondra Nelson, a Black woman with a deep skin tone speaks on a panel alongside Anna Makanju, Hany Farid, Raquel Vazquez Llorente, and Terah Lyons. All speakers are a range of light to deep skin tones and they sit on a stage. A screen behind them reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.”

22/24

Brian Deese speaks on a panel alongside Mary Kay Henry, Chiedo Nwankwor, and Betsey Stevenson. All speakers are a range of light to deep skin tones and they sit on a stage. A screen behind them reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.

23/24

Aleena Agarwal, an indian woman with a medium skin tone and short black hair stands behind a podium with two clear teleprompters in front of her. The front of the podium reads, “Obama Foundation Democracy Forum.” A screen in the background says the same.

24/24

President Obama’s Remarks

Read President Obama’s Remarks at the 2023 Democracy Forum

Learn More

YOUR SUPPORT TURNS HOPE INTO ACTION

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation to change their world.

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation. The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

Speakers

Baratunde Thurston

Democracy Forum Host

Wemimo Abbey

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu

Peter Adams

Senior Vice President of Research and Design of the News Literacy Project

Aleena Agrawal

Director of Talent Solutions at P33

Ellen Alberding

President and CEO, The Joyce Foundation

Ian Bassin

Co-founder and Executive Director of Protect Democracy

Brian Deese

MIT Innovation Fellow

Hany Farid

Professor at the University of California, Berkeley

Nancy Gibbs

Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice and Director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School

Photo-Credit-Jamie-Girdler-1920x2276 (Emma Gredde)

Emma Grede

Entrepreneur & Chairwoman of The Fifteen Percent Pledge and the CEO and Co-Founder of Good American

Regina Hall

Award-winning actress and producer

Mary Kay Henry

International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Darryl Holliday

Journalist, civic strategist, and media organizer

Valerie Jarrett

Chief Executive Officer

Mayor Brandon Johnson

Mayor of Chicago

Terah Lyons

Founding Executive Director of the Partnership on AI

Anna Makanju

OpenAI's Vice President of Global Affairs

Governor Wes Moore

Governor of the state of Maryland

Alondra Nelson

Harold F. Linder Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study

Suzanne Nossel

CEO, PEN America

Chiedo Nwankwor

Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs, Interim Director of SAIS Europe, Senior Lecturer, and Director of SAIS Women Lead

President Obama

44th president of the United States

John Palfrey

President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

DeMario Phipps-Smith

Senior Manager of Community Learning at News Literacy Project.

Sonal Shah

Chief Executive Officer at The Texas Tribune

Alex Smith

Founder of The Cares Family

Betsey Stevenson

Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan

Mandy Teefey

Co-Founder and CEO of Wondermind

Shani Tran

Licensed therapist and author

Raquel Vazquez Llorente

Head of Law & Policy, Technology, Threats and Opportunities - WITNESS

Judy Woodruff

Senior Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour

Agenda

11:00 AM CT

Technology is creating new and innovative ways for us to connect to the global society. However, research shows that alongside the growth of social platforms, our feelings of loneliness and isolation have reached unprecedented levels. In a candid conversation, panelists talk honestly about the real-world impacts of our online lives and how we can build meaningful connections and communities that contribute to an inclusive, democratic society.

Join Emma Grede, CEO and Co-Founder of Good American, Founding Partner of SKIMS, and Chairwoman of The Fifteen Percent Pledge, in conversation with Wemimo Abbey, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu, Inc, as these global business leaders from the investment and retail sectors share how they are leveraging their own diverse backgrounds to develop inclusive business models that promise to broaden economic opportunities and foster change across industries.

2:40 PM CT

Building on President Obama’s remarks, economist and Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Betsey Stevenson will host a lively discussion between leaders from the business world and progressive labor advocates to explore practical and principled approaches to creating more fairness and equal opportunity in our increasingly digitally-driven economy.

Take a look back at the 2022 Democracy Forum

At the first-ever Obama Foundation Democracy Forum in New York City, President Obama delivered remarks on how we can preserve and strengthen democracy around the world. He then joined global leaders and changemakers to hear their perspectives and learn the work they're doing to expand democracy.

See the highlights

We Value Your Privacy

Democracy Forum 2023

Highlights

Highlights from the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum 2023

President Obama’s Remarks

YOUR SUPPORT TURNS HOPE INTO ACTION

Speakers

Agenda

Why It’s Critical to Strengthen Trust in Institutions

Finding Meaningful Connections in a Digital World

Spot the Real News: Three tips for staying informed

Democracy’s Immune System: Presented by the MacArthur Foundation

Innovation and Inclusion in Business

Remarks by President Obama: Economic Inclusion

Fair Economies and the Future of Work

Weighing AI and Human Progress

Take a look back at the 2022 Democracy Forum

Sponsors