When Ashley Baia was 9 years old, she told her mom that her favorite food was mustard and relish sandwiches. Telling her mother that was Baia’s way of trying to help keep her family’s food costs down. That’s because Baia’s family went bankrupt after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She told her mother how much she loved those sandwiches for a year—until her mom got better. Years later, Baia would grow up to be a field organizer in South Carolina on the Obama for America ‘08 campaign, where she forged unlikely relationships across age and race. Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett told Baia’s story during our Grand Opening because she had such a remarkable experience with Baia at a campaign event. At the event, Baia, who is white, asked a room of people to tell Valerie Jarrett why they supported the Obama campaign. Most people said they were there for a specific issue. But one elderly Black man, having heard Baia’s story about her mother’s illness, said, “I am here because of Ashley.” Baia’s relationship-building was also a touchstone of then-Sen. Barack Obama’s “More Perfect Union” address in March 2008. Valerie Jarrett told Baia’s story as an example of how the Obama Presidential Center will work to bring people together. We are guided by observations like Baia’s: “Ultimately there’s so much that unites us.”

Out of nearly 60,000 entries, Michele Hurley Sullen won tickets to the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening Ceremony through The Obama Foundation's sweepstakes. She brought her 16-year-old son, Jonathan, who was born during President Obama’s time in office. For him, the visit was a special chance to connect his own story with this historic moment. Michele grew up on Chicago's South Side, walked the halls of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, and spent nearly two decades serving Chicago Public Schools. Now living in Ohio, she still calls Chicago home in her heart. For Michele, the Obama Presidential Center is more than a place. "It's a bridge to me," she said—connecting the South Side's history as a Great Migration landing point to its present and future as a global destination. Read Michele's full story: obama.org/stories/grand-open…

On the morning of June 26, 2015, America was caught between two realities: while people celebrated the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on marriage equality and the hard-won civil rights battle decades in the making, they also grieved for the nine lives lost in the horrifically violent and racist attack in Charleston, South Carolina, just days before. When President Obama took the pulpit in Mother Emmanuel Church that day, eleven years ago, he called on an entire nation to examine its conscience, speaking on the idea of grace: "If we can find that grace, anything is possible. If we can tap that grace, everything can change."

Become a member of The Obama Foundation today to unlock exclusive presale to Obama Presidential Center Museum ticket access July 1 — a full week before they open to the public July 8. Obama.org/member

My sister Maya and I were profoundly shaped by the influence of our mom, Ann Dunham. Giving Maya a preview of the Obama Presidential Center, including a new sculpture by Maya Lin dedicated to our mom’s memory, was truly special.

It was great catching up with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center. We spoke about the game we love, what it means to open the Center in Chicago, and why understanding our history is so important for navigating the world today. We had a lot of fun—check out our conversation on @allthesmokeprod: piped.video/watch?v=sj4jTQON…

“Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story — because you do. And you have a right to be exactly who you are." — Mrs. Obama

What a Sunday — @ChicagoFire, @theChicagoStars, and @chicagobulls brought so much joy to the Sports & Play Clinic at Home Court! ⚽️ 🏀 ⚽️

It was such a joy getting to spend time with Joe and Jill, George and Laura, and Bill and Hillary last week. Barack and I will always be grateful for your constant friendship and support of our family over the years.  (And George, thanks for the mints!)

When President Obama suggested I sing “What a Wonderful World,” I was immediately inspired. Its message of hope, love, and possibility has always resonated with me, and I was honored to perform at such a joyful and memorable occasion. Congratulations and thank you again @ObamaFoundation @BarackObama @MichelleObama ✨

The Obama Presidential Center might be named for the Obamas, but it is built for you. It’s a vibrant, living celebration of community. A monument to unshakable values: equality, empathy, and inclusion. A beacon of hope. It’s a place we hope you’re going to come back to again and again.

Chicago youth took the court at our Sports & Play Clinic with @Cubs, @chicagosky, and @ChicagoBears Saturday at Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center! ⚾🏀🏈The joy was real!

In powerful remarks at the Grand Opening Celebration of the Obama Presidential Center, @MichelleObama called on Americans to see the good in our neighbors, and to recognize our shared values.

It was a great day at Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center! Chicago youth took the court at our Sports & Play Clinic with the @chicagobulls, @NHLBlackhawks, @theChicagoStars, and @whitesox! 🏀🏒⚽⚾

Happy Father's Day! Photo credit: David Katz

A few weeks ago, our rookies got a sneak peek of the Obama Presidential Center and visited with the Southside Wolfpack for a meet & greet. Catch us tomorrow at the grand opening festivities for a series of activations at Home Court!

.@BarackObama spoke to what’s best in all of us in his remarks at the Grand Opening of the Obama Presidential Center.