Words have power, and one of President Obama’s greatest speeches - honoring the civil rights marchers at Selma - will be permanently sculpted into the Obama Presidential Center’s walls. See how many hands are turning those words into one of our most iconic features.
Obama Foundation
Non-profit Organizations
Chicago, Illinois 451,372 followers
Our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.
About us
At the Obama Foundation, we are guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone. We were founded by community organizers, so when we seek change, we do it by bringing people together. That approach begins at home, on the South Side of Chicago, where we are building the Obama Presidential Center. The Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation’s first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where—together—they made their home. But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity. As President Obama has said, “we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together.” So join us.
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https://www.obama.org/
External link for Obama Foundation
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois
- Type
- Nonprofit
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5235 S Harper Ct
Chicago, Illinois 60615, US
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1250 24th St NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20037, US
Employees at Obama Foundation
Updates
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Obama Foundation reposted this
Sexual and Reproductive Health|Program Manager| Monitoring and Evaluation| Digital Health| Policy and Advocacy
For the first time, I was in a virtual room with people tackling issues I could relate to deeply. When Sia Towo from Tanzania shared her work designing sanitary pads made by women, making them affordable and sustainable while creating economic opportunities, I immediately saw how we could adapt this model in Egypt. We're still in the early conversation stages, but that's the beauty of this cohort—fresh thinking meets actionable insights that actually fit our contexts. But the program gave me more than solutions. I've always tried to lead with empathy, but this cohort taught me how to receive it. When Gaza erupted, when Sudan's crisis deepened, my fellow leaders checked in and other fellows. They wanted to understand, not judge. They created space for solidarity in a way I'd never experienced. The coaching component was transformative. My coach helped me see what I'd been avoiding: I was working 11-hour days, pouring everything into my cause, heading toward burnout. She taught me to track my hours and to engage in manual hobbies that quiet my mind. I’ve been painting, learning to drive, and exercising. As a physician by training, I had to remind myself: the stakes aren't life-or-death in this work. Now I'm paying it forward as a facilitator for the current Africa cohort, helping create the space I needed two years ago. We connect still, meet quarterly, and show up for each other across borders. If I could create the perfect organization, I'd work with these people. I would collaborate with these individuals. I would begin by inviting them to join. To leaders in North Africa and across the continent: this program is for us. Our issues, our contexts, our solutions. *Apply by Dec. 12*. Make some noise about it. This is where you'll find your people. https://lnkd.in/dRpe-T8Q
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When Norhan Bader joined the Obama Leaders Africa Program in 2023, she found others who truly understood her realities: people like her across the continent tackling similar challenges and navigating the same obstacles of creating change in their communities. If you're making a difference in Africa, this is your community. Application for the next cohort is open now: https://lnkd.in/djTFg8Bu
Sexual and Reproductive Health|Program Manager| Monitoring and Evaluation| Digital Health| Policy and Advocacy
In other international leadership cohorts, something was always missing. That’s why the Obama Leaders Africa Program is so singular and valuable.The solutions we discussed often felt far-fetched from my reality in Cairo, like interventions about children donating excess toys when kids in my region rarely receive toys at all, or recycling programs that didn't account for our economic situation and social norms. I work in sexual and reproductive health, fighting to make accurate, judgment-free information accessible to young people across Egypt and North Africa, a region where sexuality education doesn't exist in schools and Arabic-language resources are scarce. As part of the 2023 Obama Leaders Africa cohort, the technical skills I learned in other programs were helpful, though as part of the 2023 Leaders Africa cohort I needed to connected with leaders who understood the weight of working in contexts like mine. That's exactly what I found in the Obama Leaders Africa cohort. And applications are open now for the next round of 24 to 45-year-old changemakers from across Africa. https://lnkd.in/dRpe-T8Q
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We’re live! The Virtual Information Session for the Obama Presidential Center is happening right now. Tune in to explore the OPC’s design, programs, and our vision for the future: https://lnkd.in/dX9iZQD4
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Obama Leaders aren’t shying away from the global climate crisis. Right now, thousands of passionate young people are stepping up and finding innovative methods to combat climate change in their local communities: upcycling waste into lifestyle products in Nigeria, practicing climate law in the US, building an app for digital activism in France, and rallying youth engagement in Taiwan. When they came together at the Obama Leadership Network meet up in Chicago, these ideas became the seeds for global collaborations. Take a closer look at their stories. If you're also working to address the challenges that your community faces, we want to hear from you. The Obama Leaders application is now open, apply today: https://lnkd.in/gDfFukBr
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Did you know the Obama Presidential Center is not just a museum, but also has a forum, athletic center, and outdoor playground? Ever wonder how the OPC will help future leaders and community builders through its educational and civic programs? Curious about how you can stay connected as we get ready to open next year? Join us tomorrow at 6 p.m. Central for a Virtual Information Session and experience an insider’s look at the Obama Presidential Center. It’s more than a future destination on the South Side of Chicago – it is where hope finds its home. We invite you to be part of the conversation, explore what’s ahead, and see how you can join this exciting journey! Register now to reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/dX9iZQD4
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This #VeteransWeek, we honor those who served — and continue to serve — our nation both in and out of their uniforms. For Obama Leaders Brandon Upson and Christopher Purdy, military service became a foundation for their community leadership. From combat missions in Iraq to organizing across the South and mobilizing veterans for democracy, they’ve carried forward lessons from their service that still guide them today: ⭐ Success comes from collaboration, not competition ⭐ Courage means trying, learning, and trying again in the face of failure ⭐ Real leadership empowers others to also take the lead As Purdy puts it, “The oath I swore to protect this country is something I didn’t discard when I took off the uniform.” We’re grateful for those who keep serving, adapting, and leading in new frontlines. Read their full story:
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On this Veteran’s Day, we honor those who wear our nation’s uniform and their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering service. President Obama reminded us that our progress and security is never the work of one person alone, when he reflected at the 10th anniversary of the bin Laden operation in conversation with Admiral Bill McRaven. It depends on the commitment and teamwork of countless Americans working together toward a common mission. To all who have served on the frontlines, and to the families who have stood beside them, we offer our deepest gratitude.
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🌍Calling all changemakers! The Obama Foundation is seeking to empower, develop, and connect leaders from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States to join our #ObamaLeaders program. If you’re creating real impact in your community and are between the ages of 24-45, apply now to develop your leadership skills and join a cohort leading on a global scale. Deadline: Dec. 12 → obama.org/programs/leaders
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Opening in 2026, the Obama Presidential Center Forum will be home to spaces that spark dialogue, inspire action, and bring democracy to life. With seating for 300 and a stage designed to keep everyone close to the performances, the Elie Wiesel Auditorium will host events, screenings, and stories that inspire change. As we watch the forum take shape, how do you envision yourself contributing to a stronger, more connected community?
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