The 2023-2024 Futures Series Lineup

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders.

A group of students with medium-light to medium-dark skin tones, wearing khaki pants and a variety of hair styles, stand in front of a white building that reads “Mielle” and a graphic of a woman with long black hair on the wall.

Take a look back at this year's Futures Series.

“We want every young person to see the accomplishments of the speakers in this series as within their own reach and to dream a little bit bigger,” said Valerie Jarrett, Obama Foundation CEO. “This initiative is just one of the ways the Obama Foundation is focused on engaging youth in our front yard and it’s the kind of activity that we are thrilled to bring to life when the Obama Presidential Center opens its doors.”

The Futures Series, created out of a conversation Mrs. Obama had with Hyde Park Academy students, underscores our continuous dedication to Chicago by ensuring our youth recognize their full value and potential. This initiative reflects our commitment to inspire, empower, and unite individuals to drive meaningful change. Initiatives like this one are the cornerstone of our efforts at the future Obama Presidential Center.

Check out the talented guests who joined us for the Series in the 2023-2024 school year:

  • The Chicago Bears President & CEO, Kevin Warren

  • Vice President of Customer and Community at Baldwin Richardson Foods Cara Hughes 

  • Owner of The Silver Room, Eric Williams

  • Mielle Organics COO Melvin Rodriguez 

  • Grammy Award-winning poet J. Ivy

  • President of Interactive Design Architects Dina Griffin

  • Artist Bisa Butler

YOUR SUPPORT TURNS HOPE INTO ACTION

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation to change their world.

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

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President Obama gives a speech on stage at Hyde Park Academy High School. There are two stools and two Obama Foundation posters behind him.
  • Futures Series
  • Youth
Forging the future

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to a variety of career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders about their experiences.

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