Leaders Program stories

Charles Klaikaew, an Asian man with a light skin tone, poses next to a group of Black children with dark skin tones, during a trip to eMpumelelweni Township. All are smiling.
  • Stories
  • Sustainability
How one Obama Leader is shaping an inclusive energy future

Learn how Charles Klaikaew uses his skills to help one of Thailand’s most overlooked communities gain a voice at the decision-making table.

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Vladyslava Kravchenko, a woman with a light skin tone, swims in a pool. She is wearing a red suit, blue swim cap, and blue goggles.
  • Stories
  • Education
Obama Europe Leader champions inclusion through sport

To commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, we spoke with 2024-2025 Obama Leader and two-time Paralympian Vladyslava Kravchenko, a driving force in Malta’s Para sports.

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William Smith Stubbs, a man with a light skin tone, speaks behind a podium at the launch of MoSS at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.
  • Education
  • Alumni
How one Obama Leader is transforming mental health and combating hate

Obama Leadership Alumni, William Smith-Stubbs, tackles mental health, online hate, and societal division through bold campaigns and inclusive dialogue.

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Jibreel Jalloh, a Black male with a dark skin tone, holds a microphone as he speaks at a gun violence prevention rally in Canarsie, Brooklyn. He is surrounded by protestors with a range of light to dark skin tones holding posters. Jibreel is wearing a green suit.
  • Community Engagement
  • Scholars
From Canarsie to the World: How one Obama Scholar is transforming Brooklyn communities

Jibreel Jalloh, a passionate civic leader and community organizer from Canarsie, Brooklyn, shares his challenges of addressing gun violence and environmental issues.

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A collage image of (from left to right) Jessica Byrd, Carri Twigg, Abdul Dosunmu, Derick Dailey, Carlisha Williams Bradley Jamila Thomas, and Reverend Ciera Bates-Chamberlin.
  • Community Engagement
  • Alumni
Obama leaders carrying the legacy of Juneteenth

Take a look at a few Obama leaders fighting for racial equality across the country.

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A rainbow colored Chicago flag is raised at the Chicago pride parade. A group of people with a range of light to dark skin tones
  • Equality
  • Take Action
Meet Obama Leaders supporting the global LGBTQIA+ community

Obama Leaders are championing LGBTQIA+ rights, not just in celebration, but in action.

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President Obama poses for a photo with Michelle Obama. They are standing outdoors.
  • Community Engagement
  • MBK Alliance
How fatherhood shapes these Obama Leaders

From Chicago to Nairobi, fathers and mentors share how parenting deepened their leadership and strengthened their communities.

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Tammy Darcy, a woman with a light skin tone, holds her face in her hands as she poses for a portrait. She has blonde hair and is wearing a black sweater and blue jeans.
  • Programs
  • Education
Obama Europe Leader empowers Irish girls

After losing her sister, Tammy Darcy launched The Shona Project to uplift Irish girls with support and mentorship.

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Han Pham, an asian woman with a light skin tone holds a closed lip smile. She is wearing a blue blazer and red lipstick.
  • USA
  • Changemakers
Explore How one Obama Leader is creating space for AANHPI women

Han Pham is building connection, visibility, and civic engagement through her community-led work with Badass Asian Women.

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Kamala Avila-Salmon, a Black woman with a dark skin tone smiles at the camera. She is wearing a yellow patterned dress and long locs.
  • Education
  • Changemakers
Obama Leader uses storytelling as a tool for inclusion and representation

Kamala Avila-Salmon shares how inclusive storytelling drives cultural change, uplifts diverse voices, and fosters deeper human connection.

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missing
  • Your Voice
  • Changemakers
Ask a Leader Q&A with Katie and Gold

This Earth Day, learn from two of our Leaders who are working every day to protect the one planet we’ve got!

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President Barack Obama moderates "Hope and Pluralism," a conversation with next-generation leaders Manu Meel, Nika Kovač, and Ainka Jackson. All are a range of light to dark skin tones.
  • Defending Democracy
  • Chicago
The Democracy Forum

Each year, The Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum brings together leaders, activists, and changemakers to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing democracy today.

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Sameera, a woman with a medium skin tone and black hair, sits on a panel at Harvard University with four others. She sits in the middle and holds a microphone. A sign in the background reads, “Obama Foundation: Ethical and Values-Based Leadership for Global Entreprenuers.” An audience is in front of them.
  • Stories
  • Community Engagement
Obama Leaders Alumni pay it forward, guiding a new generation

These Obama Leaders alumni are giving back, mentoring new cohorts, and proving that leadership doesn’t end—it evolves.

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Obama Leaders and Scholars alumni from across Asia-Pacific who gathered in Bangkok, Thailand to reunite as a community and grow leadership skills.
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Alumni
Asia-Pacific leaders reunite in Bangkok

Leaders from across Asia-Pacific gathered in Bangkok to share insights, grow skills, and foster collaboration within the Obama Leadership Network.

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Photo Credit: Blue Chalk Media “Firebreak” An aerial view of firefighters digging into the ground. All have a range of light to dark skin tones. They are outdoors and dressed in firefighter protective gear and black hard hats.
  • Take Action
  • Changemakers
Obama Leader fights fires and changes lives

Discover how Royal Ramey’s Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program transforms lives, trains firefighters, and combats California’s wildfire crisis.

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A group of people with a range of light to dark skin tones pose in front of a banner that reads, “Bring Change Home.”
  • Stories
  • Building the Center
2024 year in review
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President Obama sits in a semi circle with Obama Scholars. All are dressed professionally and have a range of light to dark skin tones. Yellow and blue signs are in the background that read, “Obama Foundation Scholars.”
  • Defending Democracy
  • Virtual Event
Ways to embrace pluralism in your daily connections

A 5-step guide to embracing pluralism, fostering connection, and engaging inclusively this holiday season.

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Filip Koprčina, a man with a light skin tone and dark brown hair, poses near a solar panel grid. He is smiling and wearing a red windbreaker jacket.
  • Equality
  • Sustainability
Obama Leader on a mission to make clean energy accessible in Croatia

Learn how Filip Koprčina is using blockchain to democratize renewable energy through co-ownership of solar and wind farms.

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2024-2025 Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Njeke Joshua Egbe and Vera Osei-Bonsu are both tackling food insecurity across Africa, but each take a unique approach to combating malnutrition and improving access to healthy food.
  • Africa
  • Programs
Obama Foundation Leaders are fighting hunger and malnutrition in Africa

This World Food Day, we're shining a spotlight on two Africa Leaders fostering food security in innovative ways.

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This image shows four individuals, each captured in a close-up portrait. The first is a woman with a dark skin tone, wearing a yellow beanie, glasses, and a green sweatshirt with the words "Fresh Afrika." Next is a man with a light skin tone, dark hair, and a broad smile wearing a black hoodie. Next a woman with a light skin tone holds a closed lip smile. She is wearing a blue blazer and white top, with salt and pepper shoulder length hair and is wearing burnt orange lipstick. Last is a man with light skin, brown hair, wearing a black turtleneck and dark jacket, standing outdoors in a setting with snow and mountains in the background.
  • Changemakers
  • Programs
Meet the next generation of changemakers

Three of the Obama Foundation's global programs launched new cohorts in 2024. Learn more about these programs and how you can support our Leaders, Scholars, and Voyagers.

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Elpida Kokkota, a woman with a light skin tone, holds a closed lip smile. She has long black hair and is wearing red lipstick, bracelets on both arms, a white shirt, and floral skirt.
  • Changemakers
  • Equality
Obama Leaders join forces across continents to create global opportunities for women

More than 140,000 women across 155 countries have educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, thanks to the 2023 Obama Leaders.

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Two women and one man pose for a photo. One woman has medium-deep skin tone, and the other two people have deep skin. Two of them wear shirts with the words "Afroclimate.com." They sit on a rock wall in front of dirt and greenery.
  • Changemakers
  • Sustainability
Obama leaders team up to address climate injustice in Africa

Find out how the 2023 cohort created a non-profit committed to a sustainable future for Africa, one entrepreneur at a time.

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Kori Coleman, a Black woman with a deep skin tone, stands in the middle of a four person string quartet. They are a range of medium to deep skin tones and are holding a viola, violin, and cello. All are wearing shades of brown. Credit: Seed Lynn
  • The Arts
  • Chicago
Obama Leader amplifies the music of Black composers

Ahead of her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, hear how one Obama Leader leverages the power of music to educate, entertain, and heal her community.

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Michelle Obama sits in a circle with women with a range of light to deep skin tones and Michael Strautmanis. Mrs. Obama is wearing a multicolored dress and sits with her legs crossed. A sign in the background reads, “Obama Leadership Network.”
  • Michelle Obama
  • Africa
Leaders alumni and Mrs. Obama reconnect in Africa

We marked the fifth anniversary of the Leaders program where it all began.

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Daniel Fairley II, a Black man with a light skin tone smiles at the camera. He has short black hair and glasses. He is wearing a light purple blazer and a dark purple hoodie.
  • Alumni
  • The Obama Administration
How a former White House intern and Obama Leader is making a difference today

Meet an Obama Leader supporting Virginians in need.

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Ryan Pavel, a man with light skin tone, stands smiling in front of a sign that reads "Warrior-Scholar Project."
  • Education
  • USA
Obama Leader and former Marine empowers veterans through access to education

Meet 2023 United States Obama Leader Ryan Pavel, veteran, and CEO of Warrior-Scholar Project.

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Ziad Ahmed, a man with a medium skin tone, smiles at the camera. He has black hair and is wearing a red patterned jacket. He is sitting on an apple box. The background is brown.
  • Youth
  • USA
Obama leader promotes inclusivity and amplification of young voices

Learn how Ziad Ahmed built a successful company by listening to the next generation.

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Bethany Rivera Molinar, presents a workshop in front of eight others. Their backs are to the camera as they sit around a table. Bethany stands in front of a wall easel pad. She is wearing a Ciudad Nueva shirt and glasses.
  • USA
  • Changemakers
How an Obama leader is making a difference in a Texas immigrant community

Learn how Bethany Rivera Molinar is transforming her Texas neighborhood through community work.

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Tom Twongyeirwe Junior stands in front of a board room full of Black people or a range of skin tones. He is wearing a blue button up and striped pants. A sign in the background reads, The Universal Coalition of Affirming Africans Uganda.
  • Equality
  • Africa
Obama leader fights for LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda

Progress for LGBTQ+ people in Uganda has been hindered by the current cultural and political landscape.

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The Obama "O" logo surrounded by a blue Greek "key" pattern, also known as a meander, with the words "Athens 2023" beneath it.
  • Event
  • Watch
Highlights from the Leaders conference in Athens

Get a look inside the week-long leadership and cultural experience.

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On a sunny day, Sejong Youn, a man with a light medium skin tone, stands outside. He has short black hair and is wearing glasses and a denim button down. He has a closed lip smile and his arms are crossed.
  • Sustainability
  • Asia-Pacific
Meet the Obama leader leading corporate sustainability in Europe

Obama Leader advocates for stronger climate policies

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President Obama sits at a table between two men and women with a range of skin tones and clothing styles. The President’s right arm is extended as he looks away from the camera.
  • Defending Democracy
  • Global Reach
Meet the Leaders who joined President Obama in Berlin to discuss democracy

This week in Berlin, Germany, President Obama sat down with 18 alumni of our leadership programs from across Europe for a roundtable conversation about the importance of nurturing democracy.

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Ornella Cosomati sits at a roundtable discussion. One person sits to her right and another in front of her. Their back is to the camera. She is wearing glasses and a black suit.
  • Sustainability
  • Europe
Obama Europe leader takes on corporate sustainability

Obama Leader improves sustainability policies in Europe

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Joseph Nguthiru, a Black man with a deep skin tone, smiles at the camera as he holds a biodegradable package wrapper made from water hyacinth. He is wearing a green shirt that reads, “Simply do good.”
  • Sustainability
  • Africa
Meet the Obama leader in Africa turning invasive plants into a plastic alternative

Obama Foundation Leader transforms aquatic weeds into biodegradable plastic.

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Elpida Kokkota smiles as she stands next to Jame Kalekye Mutambya, a Black woman with a deep skin tone and short hair, and Mercy Musomi, a Black woman with a deep skin tone and short curly hair. Jame holds a peace sign as they stand in front of a booth at a Naroibi cultural market. In the background is art and handmade bags.
  • Education
  • Europe
Obama leader provides economic education to more than 10,000 Kenyan women

Find out how Elpida is making a difference for female entrepreneurs in Kenya.

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Ireen Chikatula poses for a photo with 11 teenage students. They have a deep skin tone and some are wearing school uniforms. Ireen Chikatula holds a sign that reads, “Because girls matter!”
  • Equality
  • Africa
Meet the Obama leader bringing opportunity to rural Zambia’s women

Learn how Ireen is improving the livelihood of women and girls in Zambia’s rural communities.

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