Photo Credit: The Obama Presidential Center, Obama Foundation.

Construction on the Obama Presidential Center is finally about to begin, and this is an incredible milestone for Chicago and the United States. Building on the great legacy of our nation’s first African American President and the First Lady, it’s going to be a beautiful public space and museum that will be invaluable to the fabric of South Side communities. I’m sure that its work will extend far beyond its new home in Jackson Park to inspire so many across our city, country, and around the world.

Designed by architects Todd Williams and Billie Tsien, the building itself will be stunning once completed, with some of the words from President Obama’s powerful speech to honor marchers in Selma, Alabama directly imprinted onto the facade. In addition to a world class museum that will document the grassroots movements and campaigns that changed the history of our nation, the grounds will also offer a wide variety of gardens and green spaces, a forum and plaza for people to come together, a new Chicago Public Library branch, and so much more.

The Center is going to be so important for South Side communities as well as the Obama Foundation’s ongoing mission and programs to empower and uplift others. I can’t wait to see the ways this new landmark is going to inspire future generations to come and add to Chicago’s long history of contributing to positive, lasting change.

I’m excited for President Obama, Mrs. Obama and the entire extraordinary team at the foundation for this watershed moment. While the work of the foundation has been impactful in communities around the world already, this moment is a significant milestone in the Obama’s organizing legacy on the South Side of Chicago.

I’m proud to have been able to contribute from the beginning and am committed to the success of the project and the mission long term.

To learn more about the Obama Presidential Center click here.