The Arts

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
  • Futures Series
Chicago High School students meet artists on Obama Foundation Futures Series field trip

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

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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
  • Leaders
  • 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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missing
  • Youth
  • MBK Alliance
Celebrate Black History Month with our reading list for young leaders

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

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A white graphic with a multicolored blue-green border reads “Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2023: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride; The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut; Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond; How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair; The Wager by David Grann; The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff; Humanly Possible by Sarah Bakewell; King: A Life by Jonathan Eigh; The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese; The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen; All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby; The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory by Tim Alberta; Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista; and This Other Eden by Paul Harding.”
  • Obama Picks
  • Barack Obama
President Obama’s Favorite Films, Books, and Music of 2023
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Brandon Breaux, a Black man with a deep skin tone, stands over five seated students. On the table is an iPad and illustrations. He is wearing a mint beanie. Space art is on the wall in the background.
  • First Look
  • Chicago
An ode to Chicago: The Obama Presidential Center mural

Artist Brandon Breaux and Dyett High School students showcase the power of culture and community.

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President Obama poses for a photo with Guitars Over Guns participants. He is surrounded by 17 others with a range of light to deep skin tones.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Youth
President Obama surprises MBK Alliance summer grantees at Chicago music studio

Learn more about Nathan, his experience at Guitars Over Guns, and his plans for the future.

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Raven Smith, a Black woman with a medium skin tone, smiles at the camera. She is wearing a long sleeved white shirt and red plaid pants. Her arms are crossed and she has long black hair.
  • Youth
  • Chicago
Chicago youth spreads city pride one t-shirt at a time

Young Chicagoan Raven Smith created the t-shirt company Straight From The GO – All Good Things From ChicaGO to dispel negative perceptions about violence in Chicago

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President Obama is shown shaking the hand of a young man with a deep skin tone while surrounded by other women with deep and medium skin tones.
  • Alumni
  • The Obama Administration
Taking up the baton: Jason Green

This Obama alum is using stories from our past to help communities move forward today.

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President Obama, his family, and thousands of people, and John Lewis cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge hand in hand.
  • Stories
"We are the bridges": Chicago poet Leslé Honoré connects Bloody Sunday to the Obama Presidential Center

Watch talented Chicago poet Leslé Honoré recite "Bridges," a poem inspired by the powerful speech President Obama delivered on the 50th anniversary of the marches from Montgomery to Selma. An excerpt from the speech will appear on the exterior of the Obama

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A piece of Mrs Obama is pictured on a white plate.
  • Michelle Obama
  • Stories
Michelle Obama’s Ultimate Apple Cobbler Recipe

Now you can make the former first lady’s holiday favorite at home!

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A painting of Michael Jordan, a man with a deep skin tone and short hair jumping into the air in a red basketball uniform holding a basketball.
  • Stories
On the Father's Day Menu: Inspiration

Artist Lynell Jinks creates masterpieces on his childrens’ paper lunch bags every single week. He uses the images to inspire them to be passionate about their talents, and to pursue their biggest dreams. It sure beats PB&J.

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