Breaking ground on the Obama Presidential Center

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.

Watch

You can check out President Obama’s remarks  here, and you can read Mrs. Obama’s remarks  here.

Watch President and Mrs. Obama's surprise visit to Chicago Women In Trades!

As part of our groundbreaking festivities, President and Mrs. Obama surprised some of the hardworking women who are a part of the Obama Presidential Center Construction Workforce initiative.

Highlights from the Obama Presidential Center groundbreaking ceremony

Check out highlights from the special ceremony we held to mark the official groundbreaking for the Obama Presidential Center!

Obama Scholars meet President and Mrs. Obama in Chicago

As part of our groundbreaking festivities, the newest class of Obama Scholars at the University of Chicago joined President and Mrs. Obama for a conversation about leadership, self-care, and the Obama Presidential Center.

Bringing Hope Home: Obama Presidential Center Groundbreaking Ceremony

After years of hard work, dedication, and endless support from our Chicago neighbors and caring people all around the world, we are now breaking ground on the Obama Presidential Center.

President and Mrs. Obama announce groundbreaking for the Center!

After years of hard work, dedication, and endless support from our Chicago neighbors and caring people all around the world, we are ready to break ground on the Obama Presidential Center! Watch President and Mrs. Obama share the big news.

Reimagining the South Side: The Obama Presidential Center

The South Side of Chicago is the place where President Obama first began his career in public service, the place where First Lady Michelle Obama was born, and the place where they, together, raised their family. We’re excited to bring the Obama Presidenti

President and Mrs. Obama, Mayor Lightfoot, and Governor Pritzker shovel dirt out of the ground.

President and Mrs. Obama, Mayor Lightfoot, and Governor Pritzker during the Obama Presidential Center groundbreaking ceremony in Jackson Park in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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President Obama hands hold a shovel, moving dirt. Only his hands are included in the image.

President Obama during the Obama Presidential Center groundbreaking ceremony in Jackson Park in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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President Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Governor Pritzker, and Mayor Lightfoot wave and clap while holding shovels.

President and Mrs. Obama, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot break ground.

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President Obama delivers remarks from behind a podium, with Obama Presidential Center images behind him.

President Obama during the Obama Presidential Center groundbreaking ceremony in Jackson Park in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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Zell Wilson speaking at a podium with a rendering of the Obama Presidential Center behind her

Hyde Park Academy High School student Zell Wilson introduces Mrs. Obama during the Obama Presidential Center groundbreaking ceremony in Jackson Park in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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Trenton Banks speaks at a podium. Mayor Lightfoot, seated listens in the background

Hyde Park Academy High School student Trenton Banks introduces President Obama during the Obama Presidential Center groundbreaking ceremony in Jackson Park in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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Michelle Obama wearing a burnt orange cardigan with shoulder length loose curls and Barack Obama wearing a white button up greeting people and shaking the hand of a young dark brown toned girl wearing a black and white dress and braided ponytail plus others

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with Hyde Park Academy High School students at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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Mrs. Obama smiling during the conversation with Hyde Park Academy students.

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with Chicago Public Schools students at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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Two students seated in chairs shield their eyes from the sun while listening to President Obama as he gestures. Mrs. Obama sits to his right, listening.

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with Chicago Public Schools students at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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President and Mrs. Obama sitting and listening to Chicago Public School students

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with Hyde Park Academy High School students at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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A Chicago Public School student speaking to President Obama

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with Hyde Park Academy High School students at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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A roundtable conversation with President and Mrs. Obama with Chicago Public School students

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with Hyde Park Academy High School students at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago IL on September 28, 2021.

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President Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and a woman walk into an event.

President and Mrs. Obama drop by a workforce training program in Chicago, IL on September 28, 2021.

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A group of welders stand as President and Mrs. Obama approach them from behind.

They paid a visit to Chicago Women in Trades, an organization that has supported, advocated, and trained women in the Chicagoland area for the last 40 years.

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Mrs. Obama hugs an attendee as President Obama stands in the background.

President and Mrs. Obama drop by a workforce training program in Chicago, IL on September 28, 2021.

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Two women listen as President Obama speaks.

President and Mrs. Obama drop by a workforce training program in Chicago, IL on September 28, 2021.

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Mrs. Obama gestures.

President and Mrs. Obama drop by a workforce training program in Chicago, IL on September 28, 2021.

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President Obama listens as a woman speaks.

President and Mrs. Obama drop by a workforce training program in Chicago, IL on September 28, 2021.

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President Obama listens to a workforce trainee

President and Mrs. Obama drop by a workforce training program in Chicago, IL on September 28, 2021.

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Scholars smiling walking to take their seats for a discussion with President and Mrs. Obama at the Foundation office.

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with the 2021 University of Chicago class of Obama Foundation Scholars at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago, IL on September 27, 2021.

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President Obama shakes the hand of an Obama Foundation Scholar

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with the 2021 University of Chicago class of Obama Foundation Scholars at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago, IL on September 27, 2021.

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Mrs. Obama smiling during the scholar conversation with President Obama.

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with the 2021 University of Chicago class of Obama Foundation Scholars at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago, IL on September 27, 2021.

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President Obama smiles while speaking with an Obama Foundation Scholar. Mrs. Obama listens to his right.

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with the 2021 University of Chicago class of Obama Foundation Scholars at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago, IL on September 27, 2021.

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An Obama scholar in a black jacket listening during a conversation with President and Mrs. Obama.

Obama Scholar Prachi Naik asks a question during the conversation.

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President Obama speaking during a roundtable discussion with the Obama Scholars.

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with the 2021 University of Chicago class of Obama Foundation Scholars at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago, IL on September 27, 2021.

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President and Mrs. Obama sit in a circle with the 2021 Scholars class outside the Obama Foundation office

President and Mrs. Obama join a roundtable discussion with the 2021 University of Chicago class of Obama Foundation Scholars at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago, IL on September 27, 2021.

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A scholar in a blue blazer smiling during their conversation with President and Mrs. Obama.

Obama Scholar Grace Oxley asks a question during the conversation.

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3D rendering of the Obama Presidential Center Plaza

Follow along

While groundbreaking is a huge moment, it’s just the beginning. Sign up for our new Obama Presidential Center Explorer email series and come along for the journey. We’ll have exclusive updates and previews all the way through our Grand Opening in 2026.

A young man and woman sit in conversation on a park bench.

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