Our uncommon stories and how we tell them
Whether around the campfire or on the screen, we have always used stories to help us make sense of the world. Stories reveal our identities, our cultures, our humanity—and the singular power of a story can unite us, inspire us, and bridge divides toward shared understanding. In this session, we explore different kinds of storytelling and the impact that seeing through someone else eyes can have on one’s own life.
The Obama Foundation Global Girls Alliance
See the transformative impact education can have for young girls in India through a short film. Then watch the subjects of the film, Laxmi Nishad, Kiran Sahu, and Dr. Urvashi Sahni, share their stories about adolescent girls’ education in India and their
Psychotherapist and Queer Eye Host, Karamo Brown in conversation with author Tara Westover
Psychotherapist and Queer Eye Host, Karamo Brown, sits down with the author of “Educated,” Tara Westover, for a conversation about how sharing one’s own complex identity can help break through to others who hold an entirely different set of beliefs.
Obama Foundation Africa Leader and Sierra Leone’s Chief Innovation Officer David Sengeh
David Sengeh shares his thoughts on the prevailing narrative of who exactly is allowed to be an innovator by discussing the transformative power of tech and data to help the government of Sierra Leone serve its people.
Community Leadership Corps Chicago members Emily Nordquist and Alexandra Perez-Garcia
Young leaders Emily Nordquist and Alexandra Perez-Garcia take turns discussing the impact that existing narratives can have on progress. Emily discusses the necessity of financial literacy, especially among young women, while Alexandra talks about the sti
Minding the Gap Filmmaker Bing Liu
Chicago-based director and cinematographer Bing Liu discusses the responsibility of documentary filmmakers, after screening a clip of his film Minding the Gap, which explores race, class, friendship, and manhood in America’s Rust Belt.
A conversation between authors Zadie Smith, Yaa Gyasi, and Courtney Martin
Authors Zadie Smith, Yaa Gyasi, and Courtney Martin sit down for a conversation on representation through literature, and how they write the fiction they hope to see in the world.
Obama Foundation Fellow, artist, and deaf advocate Melissa Malzkuhn
Stories create who we are and define how we understand our shared humanity. Melissa Malzkuhn speaks on her work championing literacy in the deaf community, her family history with storytelling, and gives an introduction to American Sign Language.
I can be anything I want to be. Education has changed my life. I believe that all girls should fight to get an education.
Kiran Sahu, Global Girls Alliance
People have the beliefs they have because of the experiences that they’ve had.
Tara Westover, author of Educated
You belong.
David Sengeh, Obama Foundation Africa Leader and Sierra Leone’s Chief Innovation Officer
A day in the life: Nichole Yembra
Africa Leader Nichole Yembra works toward a more women-led tech environment in Nigeria
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Obama Scholar Hong Hoang harnesses art and technology to mobilize young people to take action on climate change.
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