Democracy in Action Lab

Obama Presidential Center Honoree

Space Name: Democracy in Action Lab | Forum | Lower Level

Democracy only works if we work—and this is where that work gets done. The Democracy in Action Lab is a space for learning and doing, host to programs on topics like civic engagement and community service. Here, burgeoning leaders from diverse backgrounds roll up their sleeves and explore solutions to our most pressing issues—imagining, building, and enacting the future of democratic society.

With gratitude to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)

“ Creating the truly public spaces for dialogue and civic engagement this era of polarization and disruption demands takes imagination and courage. The Obama Presidential Center has done this work thoughtfully, bringing to life on the South Side of Chicago a new paradigm for what a public forum for civic engagement and civil discourse can look like. SNF is very proud to have supported this effort through the creation of the Democracy in Action Lab (DIAL).”

–Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President of SNF.

Legacy on Campus

  • Democracy in Action Lab

    The Democracy in Action Lab is a new home for innovation and intellectual curiosity for emerging leaders and global changemakers.

  • Futures Series

    Discover our series designed exclusively to support teens exploring career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished global leaders. 

    Learn More

Make a gift in honor of your heroes

Your honorary gift will help us inspire, empower, and connect leaders from around the world to take on the biggest challenges of our time.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

John Lewis

Meet More Honorees

Through the honoree naming initiative at the Obama Presidential Center, we are partnering with our donors to celebrate a part of the history in which the Obama story is so deeply rooted by associating a named space with a hero, moment, or person "on whose shoulders we stand"—an honoree who made the Obamas’ story possible.

Meet More Honorees