Hadiya Pendleton

Obama Presidential Center Honoree

Hadiya Pendleton

Space Name: Hadiya Pendleton Atrium | Forum | Level 1

Hadiya Pendleton was an honor student at King College Prep High School in Chicago who loved music and spending time with friends. She was an avid dancer who toured with her school’s majorette squad, even performing in Washington, D.C. for President Obama’s second inauguration. On January 29, 2013, in Harsh Park, Hadiya was killed in a tragic shooting. Here, her light shines brightly—a reminder to live our lives in abundant joy, movement, and togetherness.

“ Dream as big as she did, and work as hard as she did, and live a life that honors every last bit of her God-given promise.”

–First Lady Michelle Obama

Legacy on Campus

  • Hadiya Pendleton Atrium

    Named in memory of Hadiya Pendleton, the Atrium is an open and welcoming space that allows us to gather, connect, and better understand the boundless potential that lies within each of us.

  • Teen Action Lab

    Explore hands-on programs with our partner After School Matters featuring a range of topics including sports, arts and media, and outdoor activities that teach life and leadership skills.

    Learn More

Explore Hadiya’s Story

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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