The Fernandes Initiative

Latino Outreach,productive lives. Proud aunt (Opinions are my own) Ph.D(hc)

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

More than 40 years ago, I arrived in Chicago in search of an idea. I was a young man looking for purpose, who believed deeply in America, was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, and wanted to be a part of something larger. The America I believed in was one where everyone has opportunity, everyone is seen, everyone belongs—because that was an America that had a place for me, too.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

It was great reconnecting with our alumni tonight!

Michelle and I will always be grateful for the chance to work side-by-side with so many brilliant, selfless people who believed in something bigger than themselves.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

To George and Laura, Bill and Hillary — we're grateful for your friendship, counsel, and devotion to this country. And to Joe and Jill, thank you for being on this journey with us.

[Michelle Obama @MichelleObama]

It means so much to Barack and me to open up the Obama Presidential Center on the South Side of Chicago. This is where I grew up, where Barack got his start, and where we raised our girls. So having a place where kids from our community can see themselves, connect with each other, and channel their hope—there’s nothing more powerful than that.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

Join us for the livestream of the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening Ceremony on June 18 at 11 a.m. CT! It’s a front-row seat to history, no matter where you are. Tune in to feel the thrill of legendary performances by global icons and powerful remarks from today’s most prominent voices and leaders.

Get notified when the festivities begin: https://t.co/jjmzwl6tEQ

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

The Obama Presidential Center is more than just a campus; it’s a living institution rooted in community, and built to serve generations to come. We built it with you and your families in mind, and that’s why you'll be greeted by our amazing team when you visit.

We’ve made sure of it. More than 17,000 people applied for frontline jobs at the Center, and we hired the top 1 percent. Because, as President Obama says, “When people come here, we want them to feel what makes the South Side so special—that mix of warmth and grit, the sense of humor that can brighten any day, the creativity that turns challenges into opportunities, and the joy that shows up in every block, every church, every family reunion.”

Recently, President Obama welcomed these new employees in our auditorium, and he greeted them as he toured the Museum and campus with Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett. He talked with them about how every job here matters. He said each one of us is responsible for making our visitors feel welcome and safe and to remember we are all ambassadors of hope.

We all cannot wait to welcome you.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

Recently Nika Kovač led a movement to gather 1.2 million signatures in support of expanding abortion access for millions of women across the European Union. This is the story of what inspired her, and how she did it.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

A place to learn, a place to play, and a place to belong.

President Obama and CEO of the Obama Foundation Valerie Jarrett recently marveled at our whimsical playground — full of oversized animal structures and world class play equipment — and reflected on how our on-site branch of the Chicago Public Library will appeal to kids of every age.

This is a place where every family is welcome, every child is safe, and every person is respected — a place for everyone.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

🎉Starting June 19, The Obama Presidential Center is your home for fun, inspiration and activities of all kinds this Summer and on into the year!

🇺🇲To honor the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, and to inspire visitors to shape our shared future, we are hosting “You Are America,” a series of talks, performances, films, and community events.

🎇The series will kick off with a free Independence Day celebration on July 4 called “The People’s Fourth,” featuring live music, self-guided tours, and family-friendly activities across the campus.

🫜Get closer to nature, and your neighbors, Summer Garden Gatherings in the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden will run every other week from July 12 to Sept. 20, in partnership with Urban Growers Collective.

🎂Celebrate President Obama’s birthday with an all-ages karaoke DJ set Aug. 4! Get ready to sing along to classics from soul, R&B, and contemporary hits.

📖To create a little quiet and connection, we’re partnering with the Chicago Public Library to host storytime inside our new library branch.

🏐And local youth can discover their potential at the Teen Action Lab, in partnership with After School Matters, with hands-on sports, leadership, and wellness programs.

👟Meanwhile, older adults can hit their stride on campus through At Your Pace, a walk-run club led by Peace Runners 773.

We can’t wait for you to join us for these, and so many more things to do! We’re just getting started!

Check out the full event calendar: https://t.co/a50FLDpGF5

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less." — President Obama

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

Every day something new and wonderful is happening on campus at the Obama Presidential Center! Just yesterday, world-renowned sculptor and architect Maya Lin oversaw the final installation of "Seeing Through the Universe", a site-specific stone sculptural water feature that includes an upright oculus with misting water through the center, accompanied by a flat “pebble” that fills with water and cascades over, inviting visitors to touch and interact with the piece.

Stay tuned for seeing the water get turned on soon! We can't wait for you to come sit in this peaceful section of parkland, which is named after President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

We cannot wait to welcome you to campus! Today, we’re announcing the first slate of programming at the Obama Presidential Center, including free, public activities during our Grand Opening Weekend, June 19-21.

As part of the Foundation’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world, and reflecting the Obamas’ legacy from their time in the White House, programming at the Center will offer experiences connected to arts and culture, civics and democracy, gardening and food, and sports and well-being.

Grand Opening Weekend activities will include:

💃Live entertainment, including DJs, musical groups, and dance performances on the Plaza;
🎨Family-friendly activities throughout the campus, such as face painting, art making, and photo booths;
🎭Performances and programs featuring Obama Presidential Center commissioned artists;
🍔A variety of food available for purchase in our restaurant, cafe, and pop-up stations across campus;
📚Storytime and hands-on activities at the Center’s Chicago Public Library branch;
🏀Sports and play stations at the Home Court athletic center led by Chicago’s professional sports teams and their mascots, including the Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Sky, Chicago Stars FC, Chicago White Sox
🧶Double Dutch performances and hands-on crochet jump rope making in Home Court;
🫛Drop-in experiences in the Fruit & Vegetable Garden celebrating community, wellness, and creativity in partnership with Urban Growers Collective;
🙋Guided and self-guided audio tours of campus.

Let us know we’ll see you on campus for Grand Opening Weekend: https://t.co/kFLCEPS58h

These and all Grand Opening week activities are made possible through the generous support of GCM Grosvenor, Abbott, BMO, ITW and Northern Trust.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

We are only 23 days away from the Obama Presidential Center's Grand Opening Celebration, and here in Chicago, that number makes us think of only one person: Michael Jordan.

President Obama invoked Jordan's greatness often, but most notably when talking about resilience in 2009 in a national address to America's schoolchildren given at Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA: "Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. He lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots. But he once said, 'I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that's why I succeed.'"

Jordan is part of how so many Americans define greatness. As a global icon whose athletic career, philanthropy, and business vision broke barriers around the world, Jordan's impact is honored in one of our Exhibition Galleries, Toward A More Perfect Union, located on Museum Level 2. This gallery tells the story of the early influences that shaped President and Mrs. Obama and the grassroots energy of the 2008 campaign.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

During his presidency, President Obama read 10 letters a day from Americans who’d taken the time to write to him about their worries, hopes, and, often, their requests for help.

These letters were hand-picked from the thousands of emails and handwritten notes that the White House received daily, and were representative of the day’s mail. The President read the 10 letters at night, and later often visited letter writers in their hometowns and spoke about how these messages inspired him and his policies.

As President Obama toured the exhibits with Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, he reflected on those letters and how they’re brought to life in the Museum today. The letters are paired with a deeply moving film created by Chicago’s own Manual Cinema, which beautifully illustrates the stories of letter writers as diverse as a worried veteran, a hopeful refugee and a joyful adoptee.

The Obama Presidential Center opens June 19.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

There is something powerful about watching someone walk through an idea they once could only imagine.

As President Obama toured the exhibits with Valerie Jarrett, one thing became clear: this space was never meant to tell just one story.

The Obama Presidential Center opens June 19.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

We are so excited to be dedicating the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago with a dynamic celebration June 18, with performances by global icons and engaging storytelling about the Foundation’s work to inspire, empower and connect people to make change in their own communities.

The Ceremony will livestream globally June 18, and here in Chicago, you can be part of the Official Watch Party at the Midway Plaisance near the Center. This is the moment the Obamas’ legacy of hope and action finds a vibrant home right here on the South Side.

💻Livestream from anywhere: Join from the comfort of home, or host your own viewing party. It’s a front-row seat to history, no matter where you are at https://t.co/9k2CBhYOIX.
🎉Be part of the moment: Join us for the Official Watch Party with a picnic-style vibe, exclusive merch, and the star-studded ceremony on the big screen. Link in bio to request a ticket.
✅Share this post to make sure your friends know!

History isn't just something we read about—it’s something we build together.

The Grand Opening Ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center is made possible through the generous support of GCM Grosvenor, Abbott, BMO, ITW and Northern Trust.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

What does it really mean to say “Bring Change Home?”

As we move closer to opening our doors, President Obama reminds us that the Obama Presidential Center wasn't built to celebrate one person’s legacy—it was built to unlock the power within you.

Come visit and get inspired to take action. #BringChangeHome. Get your tickets: https://t.co/AtOhKZudXg

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

Here’s President Obama’s priceless reaction to the almost finished Obama Presidential Center Museum.

President Obama and Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett toured the Presidential Center Museum, as we prepare to open to the public June 19. They spent time appreciating the details, noticing the special touches and imagining all the ways visitors from around the world and across the city will make this place their own.

[The Obama Foundation @ObamaFoundation]

Slide into history! 🛝✨ Tickets for the Museum at the Obama Presidential Center are ON SALE NOW.

Whether you’re coming to explore the four floors of the Museum, or just spending a day in the park, there is a place for everyone at this new home for hope.

Plan your visit:
The Museum: Grab your timed-entry tickets now at https://t.co/laxJArxzYE for dates between June 19 and November 30.
The Campus: Starting June 19, our playground (as tested by the President!), gardens, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, and Forum building are free and open to all—no ticket required.

Quick Tips:
Museum tickets are $15–$30, sold on a timed-entry basis at https://t.co/laxJArxzYE.
Illinois residents: Have your Zip code ready for your free Tuesday ticket!

Want more? Look for the Campus Experience Tour tickets for a deep dive.

Your story is part of this story. Head to https://t.co/XgqdTDTloq to secure your Museum tickets today! 🏛️💙

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

Michelle and I can’t wait for you to visit the Obama Presidential Center!

Starting on June 19, the Center will be open to the public, and you’ll be able to check out the Museum along with public spaces like a new branch of the Chicago Public Library with a reading room, a two-acre playground, a fruit and vegetable garden, and more.

Tickets available at https://t.co/ahkDMKalIn.