The Obama Presidential Center is officially open to the public. Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama personally welcomed the first visitors to the incredible structure that towers over the South Side of Chicago.
The Obamas also hosted former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden alone with their spouses at a grand opening ceremony, which included e.g Jennifer Hudson, Common, John Legend, Lala Anthony, Kelly Rowland and Tina Knowles. All four Obamas – including daughters Malia and Sasha- made a rare family appearance for the momentous occasion as Michelle delivered one of the most beautiful tributes to her heroic husband, complete with a healthy dose of shade towards her haters.
The weekend of inaugural events began with a private event held for those who worked in the Obama administration during his 8-year tenure. During the evening, Michelle took to the microphone to share how deeply Barack was loved by his mother, whose face covered her custom-made Acne Studios skirt, and how he had made her proud both in life and in death.
“He’s really messed up,” she said as she stood on stage next to a visibly emotional President Obama. “I’m giving him some time because this beautiful skirt that my stylist Meredith Koop chose, it’s my favorite portrait of my mother, he didn’t know it existed until just a few minutes ago. Marian would have been so proud, she was so proud of her son-in-law and the man he is and has been in our family. But always dreams of pulling it way too big.”
Read more about the grand opening ceremony and the stars who came out to celebrate the Obama Presidential Center after the turn!
The star-studded opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center
On JuneteenthBarack and Michelle greeted visitors one by one as they took in the sights of the Obama Presidential Center for the first time. One of the sweetest moments happened when our eternal president took a little baby girl in his arms and called her “our youngest future president” while her mother and Michelle shared a hug. Visitors were seen experiencing a myriad of emotions while in the presence of the Obamas, and we can relate to each one.
During the grand opening ceremony, Stevie Wonder took the stage to serenade the crowd with some of his hits, including “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” which became the official anthem of Barack’s first campaign. The Obamas looked carefree and beautiful as they celebrated the culmination of years of hard work to bring the $850 million project to fruition. But it was the aforementioned speech by Michelle that really put into perspective the kind of once-in-a-lifetime person President Obama is and why this building is bigger than him.
But in his speech, President Obama reminded Americans why they had trusted him for nearly a decade to lead this country. He delivered words bathed in honesty, transparency and genuine concern for what the future holds for all of us. He talked about how the past has given us a road map to either succeed or fail as a nation while acknowledging his own insecurities.
“It’s a lot. For millions of people in this country and around the world, the future feels uncertain, the ground unstable beneath our feet,” he said. “And as algorithms continue to feed us a steady stream of distraction and outrage, as only the loudest, most extreme voices gain attention, inflame our prejudices, appeal to our base, most tribal instincts, it’s tempting to give in to cynicism and even despair, to stop trying.
We begin to believe that appeals to democracy and citizen participation are banal and old-fashioned and boring and naive, that the very idea of working for the common good is a gamble, and that in order for us to win, someone else has to lose.”
He continued,
“I get it. I’m not immune to anger or doubt, but I do know this: When we lose faith in each other, when we stop believing that voting matters, that citizenship matters, that our collective votes matter, that it no longer matters how we treat each other, and we give up our power to determine our own futures, we open the door to the most reckless among us, or who see some of the most reckless and the most reckless among us, or who see some of the most ruthless, or some people, more equal than others, and see government as nothing more than a way to divide the spoils and punish enemies and keep those who are different in their place.
I don’t think it’s the story of America that wins out in the end.”
The Obama Presidential Center is intended to bring millions of visitors from around the world to absorb the promise, dedication, expertise and magic of the former president. But we can’t help but be grateful to have experienced a true, amazing leader in real time. It looks like the South Side of Chicago will be more than just an inconsequential talking point for political pundits for years to come.
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