Obama Foundation Announces Naming of Garden Pavilion at Presidential Center for Speaker Emerita of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi

Democracy 101 Exhibit, in honor of Timuel Black: Foundation board member Michael Sacks and his wife Cari Sacks, who have opted to name a Museum exhibit on civic education and empowerment at the Center in honor of the late Timuel Black. Mr. Black was a Chicago native and civil rights leader who helped end segregation in Chicago Public Schools and housing in the 1960s through his work as an educator and administrator. Through immersive and interactive programs, the civic education exhibit illustrates the fundamentals of civics and the democratic process— empowering visitors to create change in their own communities. "Cari and I are proud to support such a beautiful and meaningful way to pay tribute to Timuel Black—an educator and civil rights leader whose selfless contributions will have a lasting impact on our lives,” said Michael Sacks, CEO of GCM Grosvenor, Obama Foundation Finance Chair and Board Member. “My hope is this becomes a model used to name important spaces here in Chicago and around the country.” With gratitude to Sacks Family Foundation

Elie Wiesel Auditorium: Fellow board member Penny Pritzker and her husband Dr. Bryan Traubert, who will name the Auditorium, a signature space at the Center, in honor of Holocaust survivor and political activist, Elie Wiesel. Inspired by programming in the East Room of the White House during the Obama Presidency, the Auditorium is where the arts and humanities will come to life by showcasing dynamic speakers and performers from the South Side of Chicago, across the country, and around the world. “Elie Wiesel endured the unimaginable evils of the Holocaust and emerged as the world’s conscience in the struggle for human rights,” said Penny Pritzker. “His unrelenting activism and prolific writing after bearing witness to such horrors is a call to each of us to never become indifferent. A more just and peaceful world is always possible.” “It is a tribute to President Obama’s legacy that the Obama Presidential Center Auditorium is being named after his friend, my father, who deeply believed in his leadership,” said Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel. “My father respected the President greatly, but was not afraid to stand apart from him when they found themselves on different sides of a pivotal issue, as they did with the Iran Deal. Honoring my father despite that is a powerful message that this space will be used to debate and discuss the critical issues of the day—no matter how much our viewpoints may provoke or upset each other and test our friendships.” With gratitude to the Pritzker Traubert Family

Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden: Foundation board member Connie Ballmer and her husband Steven Ballmer, will honor Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady, activist, and diplomat, with the naming of the Fruit & Vegetable Garden to recognize her creation of the first garden on White House grounds, known as the Victory Garden. Inspired by the White House Kitchen Garden, the Fruit & Vegetable Garden will tell the story of Mrs. Obama’s health and wellness initiative— featuring a wide variety of accessible planting beds, a garden classroom, and teaching kitchen to engage the local community and visitors. “Few people have demonstrated courage and inspired the world like Eleanor Roosevelt,” said Connie Ballmer. “She was a voice for civil rights, an outspoken advocate against racial injustice, and fought for expanded roles for women in the workplace in a time before such views were broadly accepted. Steve and I are so proud to honor her work and the doors she opened.” With gratitude to Connie Ballmer

John W. Rogers, Jr. Exhibition Gallery, Working for the Common Good: Located on Museum Level 3, this exhibit themes centered around working for the common good. On the third level of the Museum, visitors learn about the Obama administration’s leadership, collaboration, and actions while seeing the connections to the impactful stories of everyday people in the United States and around the world. It is named in honor of  the founder of Ariel Investments, the United States’ oldest African American-owned mutual fund firm. With gratitude to Mellody Hobson and George Lucas

Imagine Your Impact, in honor of Mae Jemison: Exelon Corporation will honor Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel into space, with the naming of the Museum exhibit about changemakers for collective action. This engaging display shows the power of joining together in collective action and invites visitors to come face-to-face with changemakers, past and present, while empowering them to create change at home. With gratitude to Exelon Corporation

Harold Washington Overlook : A prominent visitor overlook in the Museum Building in honor of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington. Located in the grand three-story atrium, the space offers views to a vibrant programming space, the Courtyard, the Plaza, and beyond. With gratitude to Fred Eychaner and the Alphawood Foundation