Barack Obama

President Obama is smiling wearing sunglasses, a white hardhat with the Obama Foundation rising sun logo, gloves, and a bright orange safety vest over a long dress coat. He is holding a cup of coffee and standing next to a white woman wearing a neon yellow construction coat, hard hat, and goggles. They are walking in front of three other people with a range of light to deep skin tones wearing orange safety vests and white hard hats. They are all walking in an unfinished building with scaffolding in the background.
  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update: Cold weather won't slow us down

See the latest photos and stay up-to-date on the building process.

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President Obama sits at a desk, pen in hand, as other politicians look on. A young boy at the front, dressed in a suit vest and tie also looks on.
  • Watch
  • Presidential History
A look back at 14 years of the Affordable Care Act

Hear from President Obama as he reflects on this milestone moment.

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President Obama and then Vice President Joe Biden clap as they stand at a conference table. In the background, people with a range of light skin tones clap and cheer. All are dressed professionally.
  • Presidential History
  • Health & Wellbeing
Oral histories offer reflections on the Affordable Care Act

Personal stories released that highlight the legacy and impact of the ACA

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President Obama shoots a basketball into a hoop. He is dressed professionally and is on the White House Basketball court. A White House logo is on the base of the basketball hoop.
  • Obama Picks
President Obama's 2024 March Madness picks

Check out President Obama’s Barack-ets!

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President Obama tilts his head upwards along with out-of-focus onlookers. A digital screen shows something out of focus behind him.
  • Watch
  • Building the Center
See President Obama’s reaction to the Museum’s newest (and largest!) exhibit

Get a sneak peek at a four-story digital wall that will celebrate the “Power of Words” and pay homage to the first digital President.

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President Obama stands in the middle of young leaders at MBK Rising! All men are dressed professionally and have a range of light to deep skin tones.
  • Youth
  • MBK Alliance
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance celebrates 10 years of making a difference for Black youth

Take a look back at some of the program's most inspiring moments.

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Representative John Lewis and President Barack Obama are sitting in a room together laughing in the middle of a conversation. Representative Lewis is sitting on a couch on the left-hand side of the image with his hands placed on his left knee. He is an older, brown-skinned man with a bald head. He is wearing a blue suit, with a white button-down shirt, and a blue tie. The couch Rep. Lewis is sitting on, is the color brown. President Obama is sitting on the right side of the image in a beige chair. He is wearing a black suit with a blue button-down shirt. His arms are placed on the side of the chair. In the room of the image is a beige coffee table with a large blue book on top of it. On the front of the book is the number, “44.” The room has beige walls with pictures on the left side. On the wall are three pictures: the largest picture features a blue background and the figure of a man’s arms and head; the second largest picture is an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking during the March on Washington; the smallest picture is indistinguishable. In the room there is a small brown side table that sits between Rep. John Lewis and President Barack Obama. On the side table is a table lamp with a white lamp shade and two framed pictures.
  • Presidential History
  • Changemakers
Celebrating the enduring legacy of John Lewis and his work with the Obama Foundation

Learn about the work of civil rights icon John Lewis and his influence on President Obama and the Obama Foundation.

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President and Mrs. Obama are standing close to one another–President Obama is leaning in and Mrs. Obama is smiling with her hands clasped in front of each other– in a carpeted room with large pieces of artwork on the walls and a flag with the United States seal. Text overlay reads “You’re the Barack to my Michelle” and a pink border surrounds the whole image.
  • Obama Picks
  • Michelle Obama
Obama-themed valentines to share with your love

Celebrate your Valentine today with one of our downloadable cards!

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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.
  • Defending Democracy
  • Chicago
Read President Obama’s remarks from the 2023 Democracy Forum
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A white graphic with a multicolored blue-green border reads “Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2023: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride; The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut; Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond; How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair; The Wager by David Grann; The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff; Humanly Possible by Sarah Bakewell; King: A Life by Jonathan Eigh; The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese; The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen; All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby; The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory by Tim Alberta; Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista; and This Other Eden by Paul Harding.”
  • Obama Picks
  • The Arts
President Obama’s Favorite Films, Books, and Music of 2023
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President Obama stands behind a podium at the 2023 Obama Foundation Democracy Forum. He is looking left and away from the audience in front of him. He is wearing a black suit. Two clear teleprompters are on the side of him.
  • Event
  • Defending Democracy
3 takeaways from the 2023 Democracy Forum

Learn how you can help foster global democracy and civic engagement.

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President Obama smiles as he sits with his legs crossed. A sign behind him reads, “Our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world” and “Obama Foundation.” Out of focus to the right, two people sit side by side.
  • Your Voice
  • Stories
Wish President Obama a happy birthday

Join us in celebrating President Obama’s birthday! Write him a personal note.

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  • First Look
  • Building the Center
President Obama announces programs wing at the Obama Presidential Center
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President Obama poses for a photo with Guitars Over Guns participants. He is surrounded by 17 others with a range of light to deep skin tones.
  • MBK Alliance
  • The Arts
President Obama surprises MBK Alliance summer grantees at Chicago music studio

Learn more about Nathan, his experience at Guitars Over Guns, and his plans for the future.

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President Obama stands in the middle of a recording studio. He is surrounded by 15 other young people with a range of light to deep skin tones. President Obama has his arms crossed and is wearing black slacks and a gray button down shirt.
  • Youth
  • MBK Alliance
Highlights from President Obama’s May 2023 Chicago trip

See how President Obama is supporting youth and making a difference for young men.

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Barack Obama a man with golden brown skin sitting at a table wearing a formal suit while writing with a diverse group of people behind him with mainly neutral light skin and a little boy with brown skin wearing a formal suit looking at the paper Barack is writing on
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Watch
In depth: How the Affordable Care Act changed America

Understand the impact of this historic legislation for American families and share your story.

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Michelle Obama, her eyes watering with tears and her mouth pursed, sits in a room full of people. Bright spotlights are on the back wall. Everyone looks dressed in formal suit attire.
  • Equality
  • Presidential History
15 years later: A look back at the “More Perfect Union” speech

When then-Senator Obama delivered a speech titled “A More Perfect Union” 15 years ago today, it became known simply as the “speech on race.”

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama look out at the Chicago, Ill., skyline, June 15, 2012.
  • Chicago
  • The Center
Why Chicago's South Side means so much to the Obamas

From its vibrant history to their own personal history, here's a brief overview of the impact Chicago has had on the Obamas.

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Holding a basketball, President Obama faces a group of young men during a My Brother's Keeper meeting.
  • Obama Picks
  • Stories
President Obama's 2023 March Madness picks

Compare brackets and find out how President Obama’s predictions panned out.

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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.
  • In-depth
  • Presidential History
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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  • Watch
  • Presidential History
President Obama reunites with woman behind 2008's 'hottest' campaign catchphrase

Meet the woman behind the famous chant that inspired the nation.

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A side view of President Obama wearing black shades, a black jacket, and black pants, He at the bow of a boat surrounded by water around.
  • Presidential History
  • Sustainability
The best possible shot to save the one planet we've got

Five years ago this week, the Paris Climate Agreement took effect, as nearly 200 nations committed to reduce their carbon emissions for the first time.

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Crowd surrounding The white house lit up by colors representing pride
  • Equality
  • Presidential History
Justice like a thunderbolt

June 26, 2015 marked an unforgettable day in the Obama Presidency. The Supreme Court ruled on marriage equality, President Obama paid tribute to Reverend Pinckney and his eight parishioners in Charleston, and the White House shone with pride for all to see

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President Obama on stage taking a group photo with people who have a light golden skin tone wearing formal clothing
  • Watch
  • Presidential History
Ten years of DACA

On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced DACA, an executive action to lift the shadow of deportation for young people who came to the United States as undocumented immigrants.

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  • Defending Democracy
  • Leaders
Copenhagen Democracy Summit
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A young Black boy reaches out to touch President Obama's hair. They are in the oval office and a two other adults and one child stand to the side.
  • Presidential History
  • Youth
President Obama reunites with the young man from one of his favorite photos

Then five-year-old Jacob Philadelphia is graduating high school as part of the class of 2022. Watch his reunion with President Obama.

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President Obama waves goodbye to a crowd as he walks off stage
  • Defending Democracy
  • Watch
Democracy in the digital realm

Hear President Obama share his vision for the internet in this keynote address at Stanford University.

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President Barack Obama sits amongst young individuals of a variety of skin complexions. President Obama is smiling and so are the young individuals around him.
  • Scholars
  • Event
President Obama returns to his roots to support young leaders

President Obama joined with University of Chicago Scholars for a thoughtful conversation about their work and the issues that are impacting their work. He later dropped in to Hyde Park Academy on the South Side of Chicago for a Futures Series conversation!

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President Obama sits at a formal desk in the center of the image, glancing down as he signs a document. A young boy in a vest and tie looks on, as do Vice President Biden, Nancy Pelosi.
  • Watch
  • Presidential History
Twelve years later, ObamaCare continues to thrive

12 years ago today, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law.

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Holding a basketball, President Obama faces a group of young men during a My Brother's Keeper meeting.
  • Obama Picks
  • Stories
President Obama's 2022 March Madness picks

President Obama's 2022 NCAA brackets

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President Obama hands holding a shovel, moving dirt.
  • Stories
  • Building the Center
Read President Obama's remarks at The Center's groundbreaking!

On Tuesday, September 28, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined President and Mrs. Obama at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Obama Presidential Center. Check out President Obama's remarks.

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President Obama is seen amongst the backs of football helmet-wearing young people
  • Stories
  • Chicago
Email from President Obama: A day on the South Side

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

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President Obama speaks to a youth football team. The players have taken a knee as President Obama gestures towards them.
  • Stories
  • Michelle Obama
Sweet Home Chicago: President Obama’s summer visit to Jackson Park and the South Side

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

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Obama Foundation Meeting Ceremony March 22nd, 2018. Auckland - New Zealand Pictures by Maxim Lemeshenko
  • Stories
  • Global Reach
President Obama's visit to New Zealand

On Friday, March 23rd, President Obama met with a group of 20 Maori women from the Wahine Toa (Women Leaders) network in New Zealand

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President Obama greets Ganesh Muren at the roundtable conversation in Singapore on March 19, 2018.
  • Stories
  • Global Reach
President Obama's visit to Singapore

On Monday, March 19, President Obama met with a small group of emerging leaders from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to hear about the work they are doing in their communities

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A large group of kids in a elementary school pose for a photo. They are various ethnicities and have a range of light to deep various skin tones.
  • Stories
  • Youth
President Obama's holiday visit to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington

Last week, President Obama stopped by the Boys & Girls Club in Washington, D.C. to say happy holidays and spread some holiday cheer.

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