Your Voice
The Obama Foundation is guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone.
That’s where you come in. The work we do wouldn’t be possible without input from people like you around the world. So we want to hear your voice. We want to hear what you’re doing to build a better future for your community, no matter how big or how small. We want to know who inspires you to work a little harder, to dream a little bigger, reach a little farther. We want to know who in your community has the next big idea that could spark a global movement—especially if it’s you.
We’re always listening, and you never know—you may see yourself in a feature like the ones below. Take a look at a few of the voices that inspire us, then add your own.
Voices that Inspire Us
Community Wisdom
Lucy H.Darlington, MD
I am a BayWise Landscaper, meaning that I use no pesticides or herbicides in my work. Through my work, I create gardens of native plants to help preserve the habitat for wildlife such as pollinators and songbirds.
Elena A.The Woodlands, TX
I volunteer at AMSIF USA, an organization that helps immigrant women get educated in different areas such as: values, self-esteem, health, and more. They also offer cake decorating lessons!
Pamela S.Mesa, AZ
My husband I run a small business learning lab in our local community of Mesa, Arizona, that hosts, celebrates, and supports leaders and entrepreneurs of color in our community. These local leaders run programs out of our learning lab that strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem, promote connection, wellness and healing, and contribute to the economic well-being of our community.
Kat K.Seattle, WA
After 20 years in finance, I needed a break. After leaving my job, I started volunteering for an organization, FareStart, whose mission is to provide real solutions to poverty, homelessness and hunger by teaching homeless and disadvantaged community members life skills in the food service industry.
Wilfrid D.Benin
To celebrate Mandela Day, I organized a clean-up in the local primary school of my community on July 17th. On the 18th, I also organized a reading session for 32 students in collaboration with the U.S. ambassador and her staff.
Joe'Nell W.Philadelphia, PA
I am a community activist and block captain in Philadelphia, where I also work at the People's Emergency Center. There, we service youths and adults experiencing homelessness.
Iveta L.Kenya
I started the initiative #PlasticFreeDianiBeach after I noticed the high amount of plastic, metal and glass on the shores of my hometown as well as many idle young people. I bought some trash bags and encouraged these young people to help clean up the beach, both to improve the shoreline and help them develop job skills.
Cara P.Richmond, VA
I host Red Table Talks in my hometown of Richmond, VA, so that we can all continue our own conversations and heal as needed, together.
Kim R.M.Shelton, WA
As a disabled veteran living deep in the Northwest Woods, I didn't have a community. After joining an international pen-pal organization, I found a friend—a retired teacher—and we joined forces to help support and empower young women to get educated and become independent.
Program Participants
Kent Mendoza My Brother's Keeper Alliance
I am a formerly incarcerated grassroots leader. I try to use my story to change the hearts and minds of elected officials to ensure that they make our communities better and that they know incarcerated people deserve second chances. In the past five years and since coming home, I have been deeply engaged and involved in local and state change.
Sasha Fisher Obama Fellowship
It's quite powerful when families have a platform to discuss village development and decide what's best for their communities.
Noah McQueen My Brother's Keeper Alliance
Growing up, role models were scarce. I faced many challenges without really knowing what was right or wrong. As I grew older, I understood what my role in the community should be. Sitting in a jail cell, I found my true purpose: I want to help people in under-resourced and impoverished communities because I was once overlooked, too. Today, I want to serve as a living testament for kids who grew up like me to show them that anything is possible.
Preethi HermanObama Fellowship
For me this is not just a project. It's a fundamental transformation of how women make their voices heard and how decisions are made in a society.
Quintez BrownMy Brother's Keeper Alliance
I better my community for boys who look just like me by changing the narrative around violence, masculinity, and professionalism. I refuse to succumb to the stereotypes that imprison us to a single story; instead I show young men of color that we can be whoever we want to be. I show young men of color that we too can be excellent and there's unlimited power in being yourself.
Erin Barnes Obama Fellowship
Everyone should have the same opportunity to realize that small actions do make a big difference.