Leaders Program stories

• Stories
• Education

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.

• Education
• Alumni

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

• Community Engagement
• Scholars

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

• Community Engagement
• Alumni

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

• Equality
• Take Action

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

• Community Engagement
• MBK Alliance

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

• Programs
• Education

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

• USA
• Changemakers

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

• Education
• Changemakers

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

• Your Voice
• Changemakers

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

• Defending Democracy
• Chicago

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.

• Stories
• Community Engagement

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

• Asia-Pacific
• Alumni

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

• Take Action
• Changemakers

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

• Stories
• Building the Center

• Defending Democracy
• Virtual Event

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

• Equality
• Sustainability

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

• Africa
• Programs

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

• Changemakers
• Programs

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.

• Changemakers
• Equality

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

• Changemakers
• Sustainability

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

• The Arts
• Chicago

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.

• Michelle Obama
• Africa

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

• Alumni
• The Obama Administration

Meet an Obama Leader supporting Virginians in need.

• Education
• USA

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

• Youth
• USA

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

• USA
• Changemakers

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

• Equality
• Africa

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

• Event
• Watch

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

• Sustainability
• Asia-Pacific

Obama Leader advocates for stronger climate policies

• Defending Democracy
• Global Reach

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.

• Sustainability
• Europe

Obama Leader improves sustainability policies in Europe

• Sustainability
• Africa

Obama Foundation Leader transforms aquatic weeds into biodegradable plastic.

• Education
• Europe

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

• Equality
• Africa

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

• Equality
• Asia-Pacific

See how Emma uses the law and the power of community to help eradicate gender-based violence.