ΟΒΑΜΑ FOUNDATION news

Hi there, We believe the global leaders of tomorrow are out in their communities today, demonstrating their potential by lifting up those around them. That’s why we’re inviting 100 of them from Chicago this weekend (and we’ll invite another 100 from Hartford next weekend), to join our Community Leadership Corps, a six-month changemaking boot camp. But we know that everyone has the capacity to lead change—and if you’re ready, we have just the thing. Answer five quick questions to find out what type of changemaker personality you have—and we’ll share some customized ideas for how to make an impact: Do you like to create things? Are you great at bringing people together? Do you always speak up for what you believe in? Whatever your strengths and passions are, we can all play our part to make improvements in our communities. Deciding where to start can be challenging, but we’re here to help you take the first step. Change is possible, and it starts with you. Take the quiz to get started. Here’s to the first step, The Obama Foundation DONATE Hi there, Educational inequality. Recent grads unable to find jobs. Neighbors who want to improve their communities but need help getting started. The growing opioid crisis. These are some of the issues 2018 Obama Foundation Fellows Dominique Jordan Turner, Erin Barnes, Navdeep Kang, and Kalani Leifer are working tirelessly to solve. But they don’t do it alone—they work hand-in-hand with their communities to spur transformational change. Kalani Leifer’s time as a public school teacher taught him that higher education does not guarantee success in the job market for all students. To help close the social gap, Kalani founded COOP, which invests in diverse, low-income, and first-generation grads from urban public colleges. See how Kalani is building a movement of diverse and upwardly mobile college grads through digital skills and peer connections. As a fifth grader, Erin Barnes wrote to her city’s mayor about speeding cars near her neighborhood playground. As a result of her actions, new traffic signs were put up. That experience was one of many that led Erin to found ioby (In Our BackYards), a civic crowdfunding and leadership development platform. Learn more about the work Erin is doing to motivate local leaders across the country to improve their neighborhoods through resident-led, crowdfunded community change. As the first in her family to attend college, Dominique Jordan Turner knows firsthand that an education has the potential to change young people’s lives. As CEO of Chicago Scholars, Dominique is passionate about preparing every student in Chicago to get into and through college, no matter their zip code. See how Dominique is preparing youth for college and helping them become the next wave of Chicago leaders. As a psychologist in Cincinnati, Nav Kang witnessed people with substance use disorders slipping through the cracks. Now, he’s working to change how addiction is identified and treated, to make sure patients get the help they need. Read more about how Nav is shaping a collaborative, community-based approach to stem the opioid crisis in Ohio. Leaders like Erin, Kalani, Dominique, and Nav are powerful examples of how change is possible through innovative solutions and shared action. We hope these Fellows inspire you to spot challenges in your own community and take a brave first step towards solving them. Here’s to solutions, The Obama Foundation Support more leaders like these working to build a brighter future: DONATE Happy spring! We're excited to share an update from the Obama Foundation. You're an important part of this community, so we want to make sure you're up to date on all you've helped make possible. Take a look!   To mark 100 years since Nelson Mandela’s birth, President Obama joined Graça Machel for a conversation on Mandela’s legacy and the future of Africa, moderated by Obama Foundation Africa Leader Lesley Williams. Watch the whole thing and learn how the Leaders: Africa program is continuing Mandela’s quest for change.   After thousands of applications from more than 160 countries, the 2019 Obama Foundation Fellows class is here! Meet these inspiring educators, organizers, problem-solvers, and entrepreneurs from around the world.   After seeing local fishermen in Denmark forced out of business by big industrial fisheries, Europe Town Hall participant Nima Tisdall co-founded tech startup Blue Lobster. Learn how her app is upending the seafood industry by helping local fishermen sell directly to customers and restaurants.   There are people in all of our communities doing amazing things to create positive change. Who is making a difference in your neighborhood? Tell us today!