Common Hope. Uncommon stories.
At the 2018 Obama Foundation Summit, we asked attendees to take portraits with each other and to share with us the story of how they were building a better future (in 10 words or less!). In some cases, they shared their story together and in others they share their own. But as you look at all the different faces in the gallery below, you’ll see that they are all united by a common hope: to build meaningful change in their communities.
“ Eradicating sexual violence because we deserve better.”
–Yaritza Garcia, Phoenix, AZ & Aalayah Sanders, Columbia, SC
“ I’ve dedicated myself to inspiring, empowering, and connecting young leaders.”
–President Obama, Chicago, IL
“ I amplify young voices that the world must hear.”
–Dave Eggers, San Francisco, CA
“ Revitalizing our city and nation for our children.”
–Louise McCurry, Chicago, IL & Al DeBonnet, Chicago, IL
“ Starting schools to raise happy and thriving girls.”
–Martin Rodriguez, Montreal, Canada & Christine Renaud, Montreal, Canada
“ By training and inspiring young people ethical leadership with skills.”
–Zedilson Almeida, Luanda, Angola & Andrew Mukose, Kampala, Uganda
“ No home should not mean no healthcare.”
–Azalfa Lateef, Columbia, SC & Umema Khan, Columbia, SC
“ We are building a generation of transformative African leaders.”
–Linda Kamau, Nairobi, Kenya & Caren Wakoli, Nairobi, Kenya
“ Working together to identify a common goal and take action.”
–Cheryl Hughes, Chicago, IL & Darius Ballinger, Chicago, IL
“ A peaceful and inclusive world where everyone's potential is realized.”
–Marianne Akumu, Kampala, Uganda & Jamia Jowers, Chicago, IL
“ Creating healthy environments where everyone & everything is treated with dignity.”
–Quincy Walker, Albuquerque, NM & Mahpiya Black-Elk, Albuquerque, NM
“ By opening one door to opportunity, we open many more.”
–Melissa Malzkuhn, Washington, DC & Alex Smith, London, United Kingdom
“ We work together.”
–Juanita Butler, Chicago, IL & Antonio Davis, Chicago, IL
“ Harnessing the power of place to prevent and resolve conflict.”
–Fatima Zaman, London, United Kingdom
“ Building a peaceful, inclusive world where everyones potential is realized.”
–Marianne Akumu, Kampala, Uganda
“ Expanding our interventions to support girls involved in gang violence.”
–Noel Pinnock, Houston, TX & Japlan "Jazz" Allen, Chicago, IL
“ Coming together through love, inclusivity, engagement, and community.”
–Moussa Kondo, Bamako, Mali & Harry Grammer, Los Angeles, CA
“ Leading with a serving heart.”
–Jenne Myers, Chicago, IL & Anna Valencia, Chicago, IL
“ Providing equal access to healthy food.”
–Erika Allen, Chicago, IL & Connie Spreen, Chicago, IL
“ Building relationships and breaking barriers to prevent stereotypes.”
–Jaquan Riley, Columbia, SC & Nick Cousar, Columbia, SC
“ Celebrating the joy of faith, family, and friends.”
–Barbara Lumpkin, Chicago, IL & Ariane Robbins, Columbia, SC
“ Working together to empower youth.”
–Jazmine Reyes, Phoenix, AZ & Ivan Bascon, Phoenix, AZ
“ Building bonds across communities. Learn from each other; never stop.”
–Sterling Gilmore, Chicago, IL & Jeff McCarter, Chicago, IL
“ We incrementally work for change in the human condition.”
–Sherman Wright, Chicago, IL & Richard Tolliver, Chicago, IL
“ Helping young people gain access to educational opportunities.”
–Rahmatullah Hamraz, Kabul, Afghanistan & Stanley Ndambakuwa, Lalapanzi, Zimbabwe
“ Supporting the OPC in Jackson Park!”
–Candice Washington, Chicago, IL & Erin Adams, Chicago, IL
“ Changing the world by combining arts and environmental policy.”
–Amanda S. Walker-Hall, Chicago, IL
“ By pressing for change without collapsing.”
–Jamal Spraggins, Chicago, IL
“ Raising and educating the next leaders of Chicago.”
–LeShonne Segura, Chicago, IL & Adrian Segura, Chicago, IL
“ We're inspired to take action.”
–David Leggett, Columbia, SC & Daniel Branham, Columbia, SC
“ Promoting higher education for lower income students.”
–Jacklyn Nguyen, Phoenix, AZ & Aria Hueso, Phoenix, AZ
“ By working to create a collaborative community.”
–John Atkinson, Burr Ridge, IL & Attallah "Tia" Wilson, Chicago, IL
“ Building connections across all lines of difference through love.”
–Bethany Molitor, Washington, DC & Michelle Molitor, Washington, DC
“ Through collective liberation.”
–Koketso Moeti, Johannesburg, South Africa & Tiana Epps-Johnson, Chicago, IL
“ By working on gender equality to make the world better”
–Seblewengel Tekalign, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
“ Like pieces on a chessboard, I understand my unique role.”
–Robert Katende, Kampala, Uganda
“ Working together across differences.”
–Andrea Saenz, Chicago, IL
“ I work through arts and culture to support equitable participation.”
–Jane M. Hussein, Chicago, IL
“ By collaborating with grassroots organizations to create more effective programming.”
–Cynthia Gonzalez, Phoenix, AZ
“ I mobilize communities to call for environmental action.”
–Hong Hoang, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
“ Black women deserve respect and should see the world.”
–Ashley Jackson, Chicago, IL & Kieanji Williams, Chicago, IL
“ Connecting with and listening to my community.”
–Ana Garcia, Columbia, SC
“ By mobilizing and inspiring others.”
–Lendale Vazquez-Martinez, Columbia, SC
