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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
  • Stories

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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An image of an almond skin toned young man with arm-length locs smiling and leaning slightly to his right as he holds a certificate from another deep skin tone man with other young men and a banner visible in the background.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Education

More than 100 incoming freshmen at three Chicago high schools got a jumpstart on their high school careers this summer

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A group of students with medium-light to medium-dark skin tones, wearing khaki pants and a variety of hair styles, stand in front of a white building that reads “Mielle” and a graphic of a woman with long black hair on the wall.
  • The Arts
  • Equality

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders.

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama is seated while holding a microphone and sporting long box braids. She is seated in front of signage that says “Futures Series” with the Obama Foundation logo.
  • The Arts
  • Equality

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders.

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Indigenous girls of the Sacred Valley Project work on school activities together at a long table covered in books, worksheets, colorful markers, and other school supplies.
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  • Girls Opportunity Alliance

Learn how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports secondary education for girls in rural Peru.

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Betty, a young woman with a dark skin tone, turns around and poses for the photo while walking down a dirt path. She is wearing a striped yellow shirt, a black backpack, and has dyed pink hair.
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  • Girls Opportunity Alliance

See how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports STEM education for Kenyan girls with disabilities.

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Brenda, a young Tanzanian girl with a dark skin tone, raises her hand among her classmates. The group is outside and Brenda wears a school uniform with a white collared shirt, striped tie, and sweater. They are all a range of medium to dark skin tones.
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  • Girls Opportunity Alliance

Learn how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports community-driven solutions that advance equality and climate justice in Tanzania.

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Mrs. Obama hugs a student in a classroom from Malawi as part of her visit to the AGE Africa program. She is wearing a long dress and is standing in a classroom with green walls and chairs that is filled with students. The other girls sit in a circle in their uniforms as they smile and engage with each other.
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  • Education

Last fall, Mrs. Obama spent time with an inspiring group of young women in Malawi who are part of the Girls Opportunity Alliance.

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Addison, a young Black girl with a light skin tone, films with her camera along Lake Michigan in Chicago. She is wearing a black t-shirt, hoop earrings, and her hair is curly.
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  • Girls Opportunity Alliance

Watch how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports girls through mentorship programs in Chicago.

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A group of three smiling girls with a range of light to medium skin tones run together on an outdoor court.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Chicago

See how Girls in the Game is empowering girls through sports programming to develop their health, leadership, and life skills.

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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.
  • Leaders
  • Changemakers

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

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Liza Zaruba, a woman with a light skin tone and long blonde hair, stands in between country flags outside of the United Nations. She rests her hands on her hips and is wearing a white blouse and yellow pants.
  • Voyagers
  • Global Reach

Explore Liza Zaruba's Summer Voyage, and learn how she plans to apply her new health care skills back in Chicago.

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  • MBK Alliance
  • Stories

ImpactTulsa has fostered a network of partners in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who are specifically focused on impacting the systems that affect BYMOC.

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MBK NEWARK: “NEWARK YOUTH OPPORTUNITY NETWORK, THE JOURNEY TO IMPACT”
  • MBK Alliance
  • Stories
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  • MBK Alliance
  • Stories

MBK Yonkers received recognition as an MBK Model Community in 2023 for demonstrating population-level impact in Milestone 3, achieving a graduation rate of 91% by 2021.

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  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth

MBK Omaha has become a Model Community for showing a population-level impact on Milestone 6, all youth remain safe from violent crimes by demonstrating a 30 percent decrease in homicides from 2011 to 2022.

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A group of Black women and girls pose with a van wrapped with M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment branding and images of adolescent Black girls. The group is holding a copy of Governor Prizker’s state proclamation recognizing Girls Health Matters Day.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Chicago

The Girls Opportunity Alliance supports M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment's new Resource Van and the state of Illinois declares first Girls Health Matters Day.

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Dr. Edwin Quezada, a man with a medium skin tone points as he speaks to an audience. He is wearing glasses and a powder blue suit.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth

Hear directly from one of the My Brother’s Keeper Model Communities on how they achieved a 91 percent graduation rate for students of color.

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  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Michelle Obama

Find out how 14 organizations will expand their programing and impact

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A group of high school students with a range of light to deep skin tones pose around Gallerist Easy Otabo and artist Michael C. Thorpe. In the background, a monitor displays the Obama Foundation rising sun logo and reads, “Obama Foundation.”
  • Youth
  • The Arts

See how the students explored expression and possibilities at EXPO Chicago.

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Michelle Obama addresses the Global Summit on Women's Empowerment in Dubai. Michelle Obama is sitting at a long table surrounded by three other women. The women are speaking to one and other and smiling.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Stories

Learn more about how the Girls Opportunity Alliance is working to empower and educate girls around the world

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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

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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There are three women on the right side of the image and three women on the left side of the image. In the center of the image, Michelle Obama is hugging a woman and facing the camera. Michelle Obama has curly hair and is wearing several rings. The woman she is hugging is facing opposite the camera – we cannot see her face – she has short curly hair and is wearing a beige sweater and black pants. In the background, several women with a range of light to deep skin tones and ages speak to one another. On the wall of the room is a poster that reads, “Girls Opportunity Alliance.” The poster has a border with short perpendicular lines in pink and light blue with a dark blue background.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Equality

Meet five women making a difference with the help of the Girls Opportunity Alliance

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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
  • Leaders

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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On the South Lawn, President Obama walks in the middle of a group of young men. All have a range of light to deep skin tones. They are wearing a mix of casual and professional attire.
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  • MBK Alliance

Get to know two young men carrying forward the legacy of MBK

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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

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

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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.”
  • Leaders
  • Michelle Obama

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

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  • Youth
  • MBK Alliance

The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance released a Black History Month reading list for young leaders

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  • Youth
  • Voyagers

Meet recipients of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service or learn how you can apply to be in the next cohort!

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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
  • Leaders

Meet an Obama Leader supporting Virginians in need.

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44 Alumni, Tess Hetzel (on the left) and Paul Montiero Jr. (on the right) are smiling into the camera. They are located in an office in the Maryland Capitol. In the room is a white fireplace with a black firepit, a black lace couch, and a beige wall with a larger painting – person unseen – with a gold frame. Tess Hetzel has a pale complexion, long reddish blonde hair, and blue eyes. She is wearing a yellow cardigan and a black v-neck t-shirt. Paul Montiero Jr. has a brown complexion, dark brown curly hair, and brown eyes. He is wearing a black and white pinstriped suit, with a white button-down, and a gray tie.
  • Alumni
  • The Obama Administration

Meet five people whose time campaigning for President Obama inspired them to continue serving their communities

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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
  • Leaders

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
  • Leaders

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

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Nick Kennedy, a college-age Native American young man, stands in between a Canadian and American flag on flag poles. He is wearing a brown suit and a white name tag around his neck.
  • Equality
  • Voyagers

Nick Kennedy, an Obama-Chesky Voyager, is advocating for the preservation of Indigenous culture.

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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.
  • Leaders
  • USA

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

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DeKevious Wilson, a Black man with a deep skin tone, looks off camera as he stands in front of a home. He has a salt and pepper afro and beard. He is wearing a Becoming a Man t-shirt and denim jacket.
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Scholars

DeKevious Wilson strengthens youth mental health through policy work.

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An illustration of four people with a range of light to deep skin tones lifting one another up on top of a paper plane. The background is pink.

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