The day I met Michelle Robinson changed my life forever.

The day I met Michelle Robinson changed my life forever.

Michelle was interviewing with me for a job in the Mayor’s Office in Chicago. She shared her story with me—about her life growing up on the South Side, raised by her two loving and supportive parents who believed in commitment to both family and service. Michelle wanted to explore other options to her career as a corporate lawyer in the hopes of using her skills to give back to her community. I was so impressed by her, I offered her a job on the spot!

Not long after, she asked me to meet her fiancé, a fellow attorney with an unusual name and a unique childhood. This was, of course, Barack Obama. Sitting around a popular restaurant near City Hall, the three of us exchanged stories and chatted about our lives. It was the start of my over three decade long relationship with two of the most important people in my life.

The birthday card image shows a photo of Barack and Michelle Obama smiling at eachother, along with a note starts with "Dear Mr. President", a card that says "Happy Birthday", and a button that says "Wish Barack a Happy Birthday"

Of course, I had no idea back then that I was dining with a future President and First Lady. In fact, at the end of our dinner I was confident of three truths: The opportunity to work with Michelle Obama would be tremendous; their marriage would be full of love, respect and a deep commitment to shared values; and maybe, just maybe, one day Barack Obama could be mayor of Chicago. They were just remarkable, and exceeded my expectations on all three truths!

A few decades and two presidential terms later, I now have the privilege of serving as CEO of their Foundation. Helping Barack and Michelle build upon their legacy is an honor, and helping them empower the next generation of changemakers has become the cause of my life.

Over the past few years, we’ve weathered a global pandemic and its impact on our lives and our jobs, witnessed the erosion of core pillars of democracies here in the United States and around the world, endured the increased polarization of our discourse, and growing uncertainty in our daily lives. It has been a challenging time for us all. And that is why it is more important than ever to lift up those who are unwilling to accept the status quo as impossible to change, but who are instead committed to turning their ideas for positive change into action.

President Obama and Mrs. Obama are seated in folding chairs outside, looking at a woman with medium-dark skin and dark hair

At the Obama Foundation, the Girls Opportunity Alliance and My Brother’s Keeper are helping young people feel empowered through education, leadership development, mentorship, and more. Our Scholars and Voyagers programs are helping college and university students continue their education and expand their horizons. All across the world—in America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa—our growing network of young leaders are turning to one us and another to help solve the challenges ahead. And here in the United States and all around the world, we’re working to uplift leaders to strengthen democracies.

A rendering of the Obama Presidential Center featuring a large, light-stoned building front and center, with walkways filled with people in front of it.

Soon, our programs will have a permanent home at the Obama Presidential Center, which will be a hub for changemakers and visitors from all over the globe. And when the doors open a couple years from now, anyone will be able to come learn not just about the Obamas’ story, but to be inspired to appreciate their own power to improve their community.

If it sounds like we’re doing a lot, it’s because we are. Trust me, I know.

But if Barack and Michelle have taught me one thing over and over since that first day we met, it’s this: Each of us is capable of being a mighty force for good. We’re capable of even more when we work together. And with enough curiosity, hard work, goodwill, and hope for the future, we really can create the world we want to see.

I’m so grateful you are joining our journey.

– Valerie

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The day I met Michelle Robinson changed my life forever.

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