Former United States President, Barack Obama released the following New Years message via Twitter:
I’m hopeful about 2022. This year will undoubtedly have its challenges, just like 2021 did. But we’ve made it this far—and I still believe we can build a brighter future together. Happy New Year!
Former United States President, Barack Obama released the following statement via Twitter on the Passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu:
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere.
He never lost his impish sense of humor and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.
Barack and Michelle Obama announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for his long-awaited presidential library will be held on Tuesday in Chicago.
We've got big news!
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) September 24, 2021
Our virtual groundbreaking festivities for the Obama Presidential Center will take place on Monday, Sept. 27 and Tuesday, Sept. 28.
Watch a special message from @BarackObama and @MichelleObama now. pic.twitter.com/yJ6M4DLL2A
Former President Obama is appearing in a TV ad backing California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) as part of his campaign's final efforts to boost Democratic turnout in next Tuesday's recall election.
Watch that ad below:
Here it is: the ad Obama just cut for the Gavin Newsom anti-recall campaign. Focuses on covid, specifically vaccines mandates, and hits Elder for being close to Trump.
— Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) September 8, 2021
"Protect California by voting NO on the Republican Recall." pic.twitter.com/OsCc2YGIHr
Directed by Emmy-winner Peter Kunhardt, Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union is a three-part documentary series chronicling the personal and political journey of President Barack Obama as the country grapples with its racial history. Weaving together conversations with colleagues, friends, and critics, and interspersed with his own speeches and news interviews, the series begins with Obama’s childhood and takes us through his perspective as the son of a white mother from Kansas and an African father, his spiritual formation informed by a generation of Black leaders, and his hopes for a more inclusive America.
The documentary series forms a cohesive picture of America under its first Black president. Obama’s presidency was unique in America’s history, but what was a historic step forward for the country also exposed the ever-present need to address issues about race, racial justice and the country’s history. Encapsulating both the man and the president, the documentary highlights the vision he had for the nation shaped by his own experiences and identity. Through today’s lens, the series reflects on the Obama administration with new understanding about the personal obstacles he faced and the challenging pursuit for equality in America.
series provides context, insight and critique from a vast number of insiders including: author Jelani Cobb; Representative John Lewis; political consultant David Axelrod; Rev. Alvin Love; author Michael Eric Dyson; journalist Laura Washington; Rev. Jeremiah Wright; journalist Michele Norris; New Yorker editor David Remnick; Rev. Al Sharpton; professor Cornel West; politician Jesse Jackson; author Ta-Nehisi Coates; NAACP’s Sherrilyn Ifill; political advisor Valerie Jarrett; professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.; actor Keegan-Michael Key; former government official Shirley Sherrod; journalist David Maraniss; professor Ken Mack; speechwriter Jon Favreau; advisor Broderick Johnson; and Representative Bobby Rush.
Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union is directed by Peter Kunhardt; produced by George Kunhardt, Teddy Kunhardt, Matthew O. Henderson; edited and produced by Maya Mumma, ACE; executive producers are Peter Kunhardt; Andi Bernstein and Mona Sutphen; Jelani Cobb and Jacqueline Glover.
The series is rated TV-14 and will air Tuesday August 3 at 9:00PM ET on HBO and HBO MAX. It will be available on demand August 14.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that former President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner.
President Obama will help advance the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality and economic inclusion. In this capacity, President Obama will have a minority equity stake in the new venture, which over time he intends to use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa.
NBA Africa conducts the league’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which held its inaugural season in May featuring 12 of the top club teams from 12 African countries. NBA Africa is focused on expanding the NBA’s presence in priority African markets, deepening the league’s engagement with players and fans across the continent, and continuing to grow Africa’s basketball ecosystem through programs like the Jr. NBA, Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa and NBA Academy Africa. In addition, NBA Africa has launched several social responsibility initiatives aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence, supporting girls’ education, and improving the livelihoods of African youth and families.
“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” said President Barack Obama. “By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people. I’ve been impressed by the league’s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities. That’s why I’m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.”
“We are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “In addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africa’s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports. NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.”
“We have ambitious growth plans for NBA Africa and having President Obama join our efforts is a recognition that through sport, Africa can take its rightful place on the world stage,” said NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams. “We look forward to working with President Obama and our strategic investors to use basketball as an economic growth engine across the continent and as a platform to improve the health and wellness of one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations.”
Strategic investors in NBA Africa include a consortium led by Babatunde “Tunde” Folawiyo, Chairman and CEO of Yinka Folawiyo Group, and Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (HFP), led by Co-CEO Tope Lawani. Additional investors in NBA Africa include NBA Legends Junior Bridgeman, Luol Deng (South Sudan), Grant Hill, Ian Mahinmi (France; ties to Benin), Dikembe Mutombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Joakim Noah (ties to Cameroon).
The NBA has a decades-long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg in 2010. Since then, the league’s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through social responsibility, grassroots and elite development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, the launch of the BAL, and more.
The inaugural BAL season was broadcast to fans in 215 countries and territories in 15 languages. On Sunday, May 30, Zamalek (Egypt) defeated US Monastir (Tunisia) 76-63 to win the first BAL Championship. Fans can follow @NBA_Africa and @theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Via Twitter Former President Obama commended MLB for pulling its All-Star Game from Georgia in protest of the state’s new voting restrictions.
Congratulations to @MLB for taking a stand on behalf of voting rights for all citizens. There’s no better way for America’s pastime to honor the great Hank Aaron, who always led by example.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 3, 2021
State senators in Maryland recently introduced legislation that seeks to rename Indian Head Highway after former President Obama.
Senate Bill 213, introduced by Democratic state Sens. Arthur Ellis and Obie Patterson, would require the Maryland State Highway Administration to designate the highway, also known by some as Maryland Route 210, as “the President Barack Obama Highway.”
The change would cost roughly $12,500 to cover the costs for the design, construction and installation of the signs for the highway, which runs through parts of Maryland and Washington, D.C., a fiscal and policy note shows.
If passed, the legislation would take effect on at the start of October.
During an interview with SiriusXM's View Channel with Joe Madison host of The Joe Madison Show, former President Barack Obama discussed the doubt about any Covid-19 vaccine in the African American community. Obama also stated that he trusted Dr. Anthony Fauci and would take any vaccine that Fauci said was safe.
Listen to that segment of the interview below:
In his first television interview since the election of Joe Biden as the 46th President, former President Barack Obama sits down with "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King to discuss the first volume of his memoirs, "A Promised Land." He talks about the enormous opposition he experienced as he entered the White House; the impact of his political career on his family; and why he campaigned for his former vice president – and spoke out so vociferously against his successor, President Donald Trump.
Former President Barack Obama blasted President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, his response to racial unrest and his fundamental unfitness for the job in his first in-person campaign pitch Wednesday for Joe Biden, his former vice president.
Watch his full speech below:
On Sunday Brack Obama took to Twitter to congratulate the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle Storm on their championships and praised the NBA and WNBA for their work fighting for racial justice during the season.
The former United States President tweeted:
Congrats to the @Lakers and @Seattlestorm on their championship wins! Proud of all the NBA and WNBA teams and players who've been using their platforms to take a stand for racial justice and encourage civic participation this season.
Former President, Barack Obama released the following sttaement via Twitter in respose to President Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis:
Michelle and I hope that the President, First Lady, and all those affected by the coronavirus around the country are getting the care they need and are on the path to a speedy recovery.
Obviously, we’re in the midst of a big political battle right now, and while there’s a lot at stake, let’s remember that we’re all Americans. We’re all human beings. And we want everyone to be healthy, no matter our party.
Former President Barack Obama took to Twitter to ask Americans to stay safe this Labor Day weekend.
Read his comment below:
It might be Labor Day weekend, but let’s all remember that we're still in the middle of a pandemic. Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow the experts. It’ll save lives.
Barack Obama released the following statement via Twitter after the Milwaukee Bucks and other NBA and WNBA teams decided not to play games yesterday to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake:
I commend the players on the @Bucks for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like @DocRivers, and the @NBA and @WNBA for setting an example. It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values.
Former President Barack Obama gave his DNC speech from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Obama stressed Joe Biden’s qualifications and called out President Trump for “treating the presidency” like “one more reality show.”
Watch his full speech below:
In a statement on Monday, Obama announced his first wave of support for 118 Democrats running for federal, statewide and state legislative offices from 17 states, including New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Illinois, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Nebraska and Nevada.
Obama endorsed progressive candidate Jamaal Bowman, a former middle school principal and first-time candidate who toppled longtime Rep. Eliot Engle in New York’s Democratic primary in June.
Bowman posted the following on Twitter in response to Obama's endorsement:
I'm excited @BarackObama has joined our movement because November’s election is the most important in our lifetimes -- it's going to take all of us to win.
— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) August 3, 2020
That’s why I’m asking – will you join President Obama and officially endorse me for Congress today? https://t.co/e47icT6yJe
Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Jaime Harrison’s bid for the U.S. Senate.
“I’m proud to endorse this diverse and hopeful collection of thoughtful, empathetic, and highly qualified Democrats,” Obama said. “Together, these candidates will help us redeem our country’s promise by sticking up for working class people, restoring fairness and opportunity to our system, and fighting for the good of all Americans — not just those at the top. They make me optimistic not just about our party’s chances in November, but about our country’s future long after that. So if you’re in one of their districts or states, make sure you vote for them this fall. And if you can, vote early — by mail or in person.”
"This campaign to bring hope back to South Carolina is getting stronger every day," Harrison said. "As Senator, I will fight to bring strong character and values back to Washington, where too many politicians are playing political games instead of fighting for us. It is an honor to receive the endorsement of President Barack Obama, and I will continue to fight to restore hope to South Carolinians in the midst of this pandemic."
Harrison is running for U.S. Senate against South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Former President Barack Obama eulogized civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis, during his funeral service on Thursday, July 30. During his speech, Obama spoke about the virtues of equality, why the best way to honor Lewis is to vote.
Watch Obama's full eulogy of Rep. John Lewis below:
Former President Barack Obama will give the eulogy at US Rep. John Lewis' funeral on Thursday and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will attend the service, according to sources familiar with the former presidents' plans.
The sources added that Clinton and Bush will also participate in the funeral for the late civil rights icon, which will be held Thursday morning at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The service marks the last day of a six-day memorial ceremony honoring Lewis.
Obama said in a statement following Lewis' death that the civil rights icon will "continue, even in his passing, to serve as a beacon" in America's journey towards a more perfect union. "He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example," Obama said.
