by Dot Cannon
The Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening, in Chicago on Thursday morning, June 18th, was electric–even from more than 2000 miles away, as we watched the live stream.
House band The Roots took the stage to start off the program. Their uptempo rhythms had spectators dancing and clapping along.
Shortly after 11:00, Central time, numerous dignitaries emerged from backstage. These guests included Senator Mateo Renzi, former Prime Minister of Italy; Dr. Angela Merkel. former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany; and the previous Presidents and First Ladies: President George and Mrs. Laura Bush, President Bill and Secretary Hillary Clinton, and President Joe and Dr. Jill Biden.
“And now,” continued the announcer, “Please welcome former First Lady Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha Obama, and our 44th President of the United States, President Barack Obama!”
Cheers rang out among the applause.
Starting off with gratitude–and inspiration
Pastors Joel Hunter and Joshua DuBois offered the invocation.
“If you’re a praying person, would you pray with us,” Dr. Hunter invited.
He offered a prayer of thanks, for the actions of historical figures with the courage to take action, as well as President Obama.
“We thank you for his deeper wisdom, that our differences are not a threat to be feared, but a gift to be welcomed,” he said.
In his blessing, Pastor DuBois included a stirring call to action from visitors to the Obama Presidential Center.
“Move about this center,” he prayed. “Let it be an epicenter of innovation, a balm of restoration and a hotbed of hope.
“Move in the hearts and minds of all who pass through these grounds, and walk these halls.
“Let inspiration creep up when they least expect it.”
A star-studded program
Next, Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of our National Anthem and The Impossible Dream brought everyone to their feet in a well-deserved standing ovation.
And the musical program that followed could have been mistaken for the Grammy Awards.
John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Bono, The Edge and the United Voice of Chicago choir were among the musicians sharing their talents.
A highlight of the program was the live release of the original song, “Better Believe”, by Eddie Vedder and students from nonprofit Guitars Over Guns. Vedder co-wrote the song with some of the students seen here performing with him.
All royalties from “Better Believe” will benefit Guitars Over Guns, an arts-based youth development organization which expands future opportunities for young people! (Here’s the link to listen!)
Lighthearted, historical, memorable
U2’s Bono, obviously having fun with his tribute, ended his selection with lines from The Beatles’ classic “Michelle.”
“Don’t touch my wife!” joked President Obama.
Musical performances were interspersed with tributes from visitors in the audience and guests onstage.
High-energy performer Marsai Martin served as an onsite reporter, asking visitors in the audience about their experience. Among the guests with whom she spoke were a journalist and educator from Africa, who’d traveled 6,000 miles to attend the event.
“I (created) the first American school in my country because of (President Obama),” she said.
Film director and USC cinema student Addison Bellone introduced Mrs. Obama, and shared the ways she had been inspired by her. They first met at a luncheon hosted by the Girls’ Opportunity Alliance in New York in 2022.
“First Lady Michelle Obama is living proof that when you’re a Black girl from the South Side of Chicago, there’s no limit to what you can achieve,” she said.
But perhaps the most inspiring moments came from the main speakers.
Voices of leadership
As former First Lady Michelle Obama spoke, words including “beautiful”, “intelligent” and “beloved” scrolled past in the online comments.
“Please indulge me while I take a moment to do something that I know my husband will not do today,” she said.
“That is, to fully sing his praises.”
Her comments had the former President visibly moved.
“You never changed from that idealistic summer associate who showed up on that rainy day, without an umbrella,” Mrs. Obama said.
Laughter rippled through the audience.
“You always gave us the very best within you — and in doing so, you reminded the rest of us that we could, too,” she continued.
“Barack, there are no words to express how proud I am of the way you showed up, and continue to show up, every single day.”
Towards the end of the program, President Obama took the stage to resounding cheers.
“To Michelle, she did me wrong,” he joked, after thanking the guests and Foundation staff.
The audience laughed.
“She wouldn’t let me see her speech! She knew she was going to mess me up, and she did it anyway.
“But she’s always made me better, and I could not be more grateful. And to Sasha and Malia, what can I say, you mean everything to me.”
President Obama shared the story of his arrival in Chicago, in 1985, and the journey that ensued.
“I was 23 years old,” he said.
Finding his calling on the South Side
“I’d just been hired by a group of churches on the South Side to help organize a part of the city that had been battered by steel plant closings and chronic neglect.
“…I learned that leadership has less to do with titles or rank or chasing attention than with helping others find their voice, reaching their potential.
“…I was reminded that everyone has a story to tell, if you just care to listen, sacred stories full of courage and humor and grace, and that each of those stories in some way connected to my own.
President Obama referenced the Obama Presidential Center as “an expression of thanks” for the community he had found and the lessons he had learned.
“We wanted it to be a vibrant, living celebration of community, where we can learn together and share the joys of art and music and sport and play,” he said, “because it’s in those moments that we’re reminded of our common humanity and strengthen the bonds of trust that not only make our lives richer, but make our democracy stronger.”
He challenged his audience to draw inspiration from the Center’s upcoming programming.
“The exhibits in the center are not meant to evoke nostalgia for some gauzy, bygone era…,” President Obama commented.
“…They’re meant to remind us of who we can be, to remind us of what’s possible, so we can forge ahead, clear-eyed and confident, and do the work that still needs to be done.”
A party onstage–and onsite
The musical performances onstage culminated in appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.
For a closing number, after the Obamas’ speeches, Stevie launched into his hit “Higher Ground.” All the musical performers appeared onstage to join in.
The camera panned to audience members and guests, many of whom were singing and dancing along.
And hope, excitement and a future are now an integral part of Chicago’s South Side.
Going forward into the future
More than 1,700 ticketed visitors have enjoyed their visit to the Obama Presidential Center during their opening weekend, according to an email from the Foundation’s press office.
This weekend’s events have included live performances, art workshops and garden gatherings, as well as a special Father’s Day walk with a focus on leadership.
For future planning, here is the link for information on visiting the Obama Presidential Center, along with the link for educational resources.
Not surprisingly, tickets are not currently showing available on their website. However, here is a link to get on their mailing list and find out when new tickets will be released.
Thank you, President and Mrs. Obama.