Inspiring hope. Taking action.

A large visual of "2022" with blue and green ombre numbers and white background.

As we reflect on this year, we couldn’t be more proud of the work of our global network of leaders who are tackling some of the most vital issues of our time and working together to strengthen their communities and our institutions.

Check out the highlights from our work in 2022 – from hosting our inaugural Democracy Forum to shine a light on how we can preserve and strengthen democracy around the world, to welcoming 100 college students who are committed to public service leaders into the Voyager Scholarship, to making progress on the construction of the Obama Presidential Center, which will be a physical manifestation of our mission. All of the work you see here is in pursuit of a better future, rooted in the Obamas’ belief that we can accomplish more together than alone. We’re glad you’re with us.

January

The Hadiya Pendleton Winter Garden

Mrs. Obama announced that the Winter Garden at the Obama Presidential Center will be named in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teen who was a victim of gun violence just eight days after performing with her majorette squad during President Obama’s second inauguration activities.

Honoring Hadiya Pendleton at the Obama Presidential Center

First Lady Michelle Obama wearing a gray sweater with red roses and black pants reaches across from her to a woman with a medium-deep skin tone wearing a burgundy off-the-shoulder sweater, glasses, and black and white plaid pants that is holding her hands up to her face. Sitting next to the woman is a man with a medium-deep skin tone wearing glasses, a navy blue sweater, and black pants.

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Welcoming our Europe and Africa Leaders

Obama Foundation Leaders are emerging changemakers who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good in their respective communities. As part of our mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world, we welcomed 36 Leaders from across Europe, and 35 Leaders from the African continent.

A collage of Obama Foundation Leaders from Europe and Africa on top of a white background with blue, red, green, and yellow shapes on the left-hand side of the photo.

Explore Europe 2022 Leaders and  Explore Africa 2022 Leaders

February

Futures Series at Hyde Park Academy

As part of our mission to give back to the community that gave the Obamas so much, the Futures Series initiative introduces high school students to a variety of career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders. Speakers included President and Mrs. Obama, Valerie Jarett, ABC News President Kim Godwin, and Mrs. Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson.

A three-collage photo. The photo on the right-hand side of the collage is of First Lady Michelle Obama wearing a black jacket and green pants sitting on stage with a blue poster in the background blurred out. The photo on the top left of the collage is of two men with medium-deep skin tones sitting on stage and talking toward a blurred crowd. The photo on the bottom left is of a young lady with a medium-deep skin tone wearing a blue hoodie holding a microphone standing up surrounded by individuals with a variety of skin tones sitting down.

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Mrs. Obama and the Girls Opportunity Alliance Host a Roundtable in Hawaiʻi

Mrs. Obama and the Girls Opportunity Alliance hosted a roundtable discussion in Hawaiʻi with eight students from across Oʻahu. The girls had a chance to ask Mrs. Obama questions about her own life, and they received invaluable advice on how to take care of themselves and grow their confidence.

“ Girls like you are the reason I do most of what I do.”

–Former First Lady Michelle Obama

Girls Opportunity Alliance Hawaii roundtable with Michelle Obama

A three-photo collage. The photo on the bottom left of the collage is of a young girl with a medium skin tone wearing a green patterned blouse and a nametag that says "Raelani" sitting with people blurred in the background. The photo on the bottom right of the collage is of a group of young ladies with a medium skin tone standing in front of trees, a home, and a rainbow. The photo at the top of the collage is of First Lady Michelle Obama wearing a white dress standing and smiling amongst a few young ladies with medium skin tones in front of bushes.

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Richard Hunt’s “Book Bird” Statue for the Obama Presidential Center

Art has the power to bring communities together and inspire change, and was an important part of the Obamas’ time in office. That’s why we were thrilled to announce that world-renowned artist Richard Hunt will create a sculpture called “Book Bird,” which will be housed outside the branch of the Chicago Public Library on the campus of the Obama Presidential Center.

A man with a light medium toned and a mix of white and grey hair, works on a wooden piece of art. His face is covered by a plastic face mask.

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March

Supporting Ukraine

When we see communities in need, we take action. We compiled resources for communities impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine and shared the stories of our Leaders who are on the front lines of this conflict.

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The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Mental Health Town Hall

To celebrate the amazing work our My Brother’s Keeper Alliance practitioners and organizations are doing in support of boys and young men of color, we took a moment to bring MBK communities together to discuss the mental health crisis impacting our boys and young men of color and the leaders that support them.

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April

President Obama Returns Home to Support Young Leaders

To kick off a beautiful Chicago Spring, President Obama visited our University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars, then stopped by Hyde Park Academy High School for a Futures Series talk, encouraging students to explore new career possibilities and reminding them of the role we can all play in making a difference in our communities.

A three-photo collage. The photo left-hand side of the collage is of President Obama wearing a black shirt, jacket, and pants standing up and waving out to the crowd at a basketball game while young individuals of a variety of skin tones sit around him. The photo on the top right of the collage is of President Obama wearing a dark gray suit and blue button-up shirt standing amongst other individuals with a variety of skin tones wearing professional attire. The photo on the bottom right of the collage is of President Obama wearing a black suit holding a microphone and speaking to an auditorium full of young individuals.

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President Obama Talks Disinformation at Stanford University

When democracies flourish, we all benefit. That’s why, in partnership with the Stanford Cyber Policy Center and the Obama Foundation, President Obama delivered a keynote address about disinformation and challenges to democracy in the digital realm.

A three-photo collage. The photo on the right-hand side of the collage is of President Obama standing behind a podium. The photo on the top left of the collage is of President Obama sitting at a long table with other individuals of a variety of skin tones. The photo on the bottom left is of President Obama wearing a black blazer and white button-up shirt sitting amongst other individuals with different skin tones with his hand resting under his chin.

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Welcoming our Asia-Pacific Leaders

Coming after our Africa and Europe cohorts of Obama Foundation Leaders, we also welcomed 35 Leaders from the Asia Pacific. This program was created in 2019 and to date has built a network of 235 leaders, hailing from over 35 nations and territories, working across various sectors and issue areas.

A collage of Obama FOundation Leaders from Asia-Pacific on top of a white background with pink, blue, yellow, and purple shapes on the left-hand side of the photo.

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May

The Marian Robinson “Opening the White House” Exhibit

On Mother’s Day, Mrs. Obama announced that the “Opening the White House” exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum will be named in honor of her mother, Marian Robinson. Talk about a gift that can’t be beat!

Mrs. Obama's special Mother’s Day message honoring Marian Robinson

A digital visual representation of one of the museum sections of the Obama Presidential Center. There are white walls with images, descriptions, and quotes in a variety of colors. The ceiling has a square pattern. There are a group of individuals of a variety of skin tones and ages that are walking around the room looking at the details on the walls.

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The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden

In keeping with our honoree naming practice for the Obama Presidential Center, Mrs. Obama shared that the Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Obama Presidential Center will be named after a First Lady and trailblazer she greatly admires, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Mrs. Obama announces the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden

A digital visual representation of one of the outside sections of the Obama Presidential Center. There is a garden with multiple brown pots and bins of different heights holding soil for the fruit and plants being grown above. There are people of a variety of ages, skin tones, and heights walking through the trails in between the pots.

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The Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

President Obama and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky teamed up to announce the new Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. The scholarship provides 100 college students with financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them.

The Obamas and Brian Chesky announce the inaugural cohort of Voyager Scholarship recipients

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President Obama Reunites with Jacob Philadelphia

President Obama reunited with the young man from one of his favorite photos. Together they revisited the iconic moment and discussed what Jacob will do next after graduating high school.

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Curbing Youth Violence

In response to the murder of 16-year-old Seandell Holliday at Chicago’s Millennium Park, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance announced a nationwide call to action,  Freedom Summer 2022. We introduced the Freedom Summer 2022 initiative to empower communities to create safe spaces for our boys and young men of color, particularly during the summer months.

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June

Celebrating Pride Month

Dorjjantsan “Jack” Ganbaatar, a 2022 Asia-Pacific Leader, is a queer activist and a co-founder of the LGBT Centre Mongolia. For Pride Month, we spoke with Jack about his work identifying health care gaps for LGBTQ+ Mongolians and the power of queer representation.

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President Obama on Strengthening Democracy in Copenhagen

President Obama visited Copenhagen to connect with Obama Foundation Leaders from across Europe and to deliver remarks on strengthening democracy at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit.

“ If we want democracy to flourish, we will have to fight for it, we will have to nurture it, we will have to demonstrate its value, again and again, in improving the lives of ordinary people.”

–President Obama
President Barack Obama wearing black pants and dress shoes and a blue and white vertically striped button-up shirt holding a microphone sits amongst six women with a variety of skin tones. There is a light blue wall with white posters in the background.

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President Obama Drops by the Obama Presidential Center Construction Site

President Obama dropped by the Obama Presidential Center construction site in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago to check out how construction is coming along and to meet with workers on the ground.

President Obama drops by the Obama Presidential Center construction site

A three-photo collage. The photo on the top of the collage is of President Obama and four other construction workers of different skin tones wearing construction helmets and yellow vests. They are outside on a construction site. The photo on the bottom left of the collage is of President Obama shaking a young lady's hand that has a light skin tone and wearing a yellow construction vest. There are other people of different skin tones in the background. The photo on the bottom right of the collage is of President Obama and another man with a deep skin tone standing on a construction platform on a construction site outside.

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July

Local Lunchbox Chicago

We introduced the Local Lunchbox Chicago pilot project, in partnership with the  Shah Family Foundation (Opens in a new tab), to connect local small food businesses with community organizations to serve delicious and high-quality meals to the community’s youth this summer. This program was an opportunity to spotlight the terrific community we call home, and the importance of helping all our young people thrive.

Three young girls with deep skin tones write on potted plants and place them on a wooden table outside in a garden. There are people blurred n the background.

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August

MBK London Exchange Program

Youth participants from My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Chicago teamed up with students from Ravensbourne University London and Vault 49 to celebrate culture and creativity through a cultural exchange program.

A two-photo collage. The photo on the left-hand side of the collage is of a group of individuals of a variety of skin tones walking down a tight street with buildings on each side. The photo on the right-hand side of the collage is of a group of young men with a variety of skin tones sitting on a bus that has different colorful photos that create a collage on the ceiling.

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Ann Dunham Water Garden

To celebrate President Obama’s 61st birthday, we announced that we’ll honor his mother Ann Dunham’s life and legacy at the future Obama Presidential Center by naming the Water Garden in her memory. The Ann Dunham Water Garden, a space where families can enjoy a quiet moment of reflection and children can go for a splash, will feature a stunning new art installation from world renowned artist and architect and one of the President’s favorite artists, Maya Lin.

A digital visual representation of one of the outside sections of the Obama Presidential Center. There is a large stone on the ground with another stone with a hole in it sitting up behind the first stone. There are people of multiple skin tones and ages. There are trees, grass, and flowers all over the photo.

President Obama to honor mother at future presidential center

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Bud Billiken Parade

The Obama Foundation and community members marched in the 93rd annual Bud Billiken Back-to-School Parade. We were glad to be back out there for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of young boys and men with deep skin tones wearing Obama Foundation shirts and holding blue signs with white Obama Foundation logs are standing outside and shouting. There are trees blurred out in the background.

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September

President and Mrs. Obama’s Official White House Portraits

President and Mrs. Obama returned to the White House for the first time since leaving office in 2017 to unveil their official White House portraits together with the Bidens. These portraits will hang in the White House, enshrining President and Mrs. Obama in presidential history.

“ When future generations walk these halls and look up at these portraits, I hope they get a better, honest sense of who Michelle and I were. And I hope they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can too. They can do remarkable things, too.”

–President Obama

Behind the scenes of President and Mrs. Obama’s return to the White House

President Barack Obama wearing a black suit stands on the left-hand side of the photo and looks at a painting of First Lady Michelle Obama on a beige wall.

Obamas portrait unveiling at the White House, Sept. 7, 2022. Photo by Pete Souza

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Five men of different skin tones are in the process of hanging a portrait painting of President Barack Obama onto a beige wall.

Obamas portrait unveiling at the White House, Sept. 7, 2022. Photo by Pete Souza

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hug on stage in front of a crowd of people with a variety of skin tones.

Obamas portrait unveiling at the White House, Sept. 7, 2022. Photo by Pete Souza

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President Barack Obama wearing a black suit with a blue and white vertically striped button-up shirt and blue tie kisses First Lady Michelle Obama, wearing a red dress and brown heels, on the cheek. The are two portrait paintings of each of them on opposite sides of the couple. There are also other paintings and people of different skin tones in the background.

Obamas portrait unveiling at the White House, Sept. 7, 2022. Photo by Pete Souza

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A picture of President Obama standing next to current President Biden slightly to the left of the middle of the picture and Jill Biden and Michelle Obama standing side by side to the right. On the left of the Presidents is a accurate, detailed, realistic self portrait of President Obama standing wearing a black suit, white button up, grey tie on plain white background, with a neutral face. On the left of the First Ladies is a accurate, detailed, realistic self portrait of Michelle Obama wearing a light blue, elegant, gown. Her hair is curled down away from her face. She has a neutral facial expression and is sitting on a antique red chair with gold seashell like markings embedded. The background is a salmon color. Real life President Obama is wearing a very dark blue suit, dark blue vertical striped light blue shirt, navy blue tie, and black shoes. President Biden is wearing a navy blue suit, white button up, light blue tie, and black shoes. First lady Jill Biden is wearing is wearing a white dress suit top to bottom with black heels with embroidered laces. First Lady Michelle Obama is wearing purple, red sunset simple dress, and brown heels. Her hair is braided and tied in the back. The four of them are standing on small elevated stage, are smiling. They in a grand room, with golden curtains, candle light stand, and a portion of a big painting off to the side in the background.

Obamas portrait unveiling at the White House, Sept. 7, 2022. Photo by Pete Souza

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Welcoming our Scholars

The Scholars program at Columbia University and the University of Chicago empowers leaders with a proven commitment to service with the tools they need to make their efforts more effective, to identify innovative solutions to complex global problems, and promote change through values-based leadership. We were proud to welcome our latest class!

A collage with two photos. Both photos include a group of individuals of a variety of skin tones in professional attire.

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October

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, we connected with Obama Administration alum Mary Smith who was named the  president-elect of the American Bar Association (ABA) (Opens in a new tab). She is the first Native American woman to hold the role.

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President and Mrs. Obama Visited Chicago to Check on Youth

President and Mrs. Obama returned home to Chicago for a series of events on the South and West Sides of Chicago, to talk directly with community members about the importance of youth leadership. President Obama also connected with local business leaders to discuss barriers to success, the impact of the Obama Presidential Center on the local economy, and ways we can all work together.

President Obama shakes hands with a seated young person with medium skin and an excited expression. A crowd of young people with various skin tones watches.

President Obama joins an Obama Foundation youth event for a panel conversation moderated by Chicago influencer and entrepreneur Don C, with Ayo Dosunmu, a 22-year-old point guard for the Chicago Bulls, Adeeb Borden, Foundation and Executive Director of Black Youth Leadership 21, and Aniya Hill, President of the Peace Warriors at North Lawndale College Prep in Chicago, IL on October 17, 2022.

Mrs. Obama wears her hair down in small braids, embracing a young girl with medium skin and dark long hair. Another young girl with deep skin is out of focus in the foreground of the photo. All are smiling.

Mrs. Obama meets with members from WOW Youth Guidance program at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, IL on October 17, 2022. Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.

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Let’s Get Her There!

To celebrate the launch of the Get Her There campaign, advocates and trailblazers Amal Clooney, Melinda French Gates, Marsai Martin, and other leaders joined Former First Lady Michelle Obama to talk about the barriers girls around the world are currently facing, and how we can all do our part to break down barriers and help Get Her There.

Michelle Obama launches Get Her There campaign

A three-photo collage. The photo on the top is of First Lady Michelle Obama wearing a heather black jumpsuit and brown heels sitting amongst four other women of different skin tones as they all sit in gray chairs. In the background is a three-layer wall with one layer being royal blue with purple writing, the second layer being teal with the Obama Foundation logo, and the third layer being gray with a screen attached. The photo on the bottom left is a portrait photo of First Lady Michelle Obama wearing a heather black jumpsuit and smiling in front of a teal background. The photo on the bottom right is of two ladies with light-medium skin tones wearing patterned dresses and standing behind a clear podium in front of a teal background.

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Obama Youth Jobs Corps

This year, in partnership with  Urban Alliance (Opens in a new tab), our Obama Youth Jobs Corps welcomed eight new interns. When Urban Alliance celebrated its 25th anniversary in October, Corps alumni Imani P. Muse and Austin Washington led a panel discussion with President Obama at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“ They’re proof that when we connect young people with mentorship, meaningful work experiences, and training, it benefits our communities and our world.”

–President Obama
A group of six young ladies with different skin tones wearing gray shirts with white letters that spell "Obama Youth Jobs Corps" stand in front of a brown couch and glass wall.

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November

The Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

We hosted the first-ever Democracy Forum in partnership with Columbia University and the University of Chicago. During the inspiring event, hundreds of global leaders connected and explored solutions to the pressing challenges threatening democracy around the world.

“ Our democracy is so much stronger than our differences.”

–Former First Lady Michelle Obama

The following day, President Obama rolled up his sleeves to spend time with some of our Leaders from Africa and Asia-Pacific, as well as our Obama Scholars. He also met with our inaugural cohort of Voyagers alongside Brian Chesky. For many of our leaders, this was the first time they got to meet in person since the COVID-19 pandemic started!

Highlights from the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

President Barack Obama wearing a dark blue suit and white button-up shirt stands and claps toward four people on the left-hand side of the photo with different skin tones. They are on stage standing in front of gray chairs and a gradient blue background with a white Obama Foundation logo.

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Our Newest Program: Leaders United States

At the Democracy Forum, President Obama announced an expansion of our domestic work to support changemakers in the United States. The Leaders United States program will offer 100 U.S. based leaders the opportunity to learn new skills and tools to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities. Applications for the new program will open in January.

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December

Seasons Greetings

From all of us here at the Obama Foundation, we thank you for all your support and wish you a joyous holiday season. Here’s to the work that lies ahead in 2023!

President Obama reflects on 2022

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