Meet our neighbor, Julia Perkins

Hi The,

This Black History Month, we’re excited to introduce you to an inspiring entrepreneur and neighbor of the future Obama Presidential Center: Julia Perkins. 

After suffering with a condition that causes joint pain and stiffness, Julia opened Studio Yogi in 2023 to bring her neighborhood an inclusive yoga studio that makes movement accessible for all, while giving community members a place to gather and connect.

Learn more about Studio Yogi, Julia’s journey to opening a beloved community space, and her hopes for how the Obama Presidential Center will impact the South Shore neighborhood.

When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, we’ll build on the work Julia and others have been doing for years to create welcoming community spaces and opportunities for health and wellness on the South Side of Chicago.

Julia hopes that the economic impact of the Center will also drive investment into the South Shore neighborhood, which has long been a hub for Black entrepreneurship. 

“You cannot leave behind the people who have been South Shore residents for 30 and 40 years. It has to be a collaborative effort,” said Julia. “That is what I believe the Center can do. It's a heavy lift, but I believe it's possible.”

Read on to learn more about Julia’s work and more about the South Shore neighborhood in Chicago.

–The Obama Foundation