Meet our new class of Obama Foundation Leaders!

 


Meet the new class of Obama Foundation Leaders! Representing 70 nations and territories, the 205 changemakers in our Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States cohorts share a common drive to confront our world’s toughest challenges.

Over the next year, while taking part in the Foundation’s signature Hope to Action curriculum, Leaders will learn from new perspectives and harness their collective power to achieve even more than they ever could on their own.

Take a moment to celebrate our Leaders by learning more about them here!

Welcome 2025 Leaders

As President Obama put it, “Each year, I am struck by the passion, creativity, and determination these young people bring to the table. My hope is that through this program, they’ll build lasting connections, learn from one another, and continue driving the kind of change that shapes a more just, sustainable, and hopeful future.”

Get to know the newest Leaders and stay tuned for more in-depth profiles highlighting their work both during their Leaders program and in the future as they become a part of the Obama Leadership Network


Trending Political Issues.

we’ll have to keep our foot on the gas to build the strongest Democratic Party in history

Image
Donald Trump keeps putting himself first and America last. Even as cases of COVID-19 skyrocket in states across the country, this president continues to host in-person fundraisers to pad his reelection war chest and fund dishonest ads -- including planning to return back to Florida, which is currently battling a sharp increase in cases -- at the end of the month. It’s irresponsible and reckless that Trump is ignoring public health experts and carrying on with his in-person fundraising events, but it's clear there's no level he won't sink to in an attempt to stop Democrats from chipping away at the RNC's cash-on-hand advantage. Here’s the thing, though: Together, we were able to outraise Donald Trump’s fundraising machine two months in a row -- relying heavily on virtual fundraising and grassroots contributions from folks just like you. But in order to compete with him and the RNC, we’ll have to keep our foot on the gas to build the strongest Democratic Party in history ...
Read more

Hillary Clinton: The Cracks in 2008 that Broke the Glass Ceiling in 2012

Dear Robert, This is not a goodbye, because we're all embarking on a new American journey. With our nation moving in an exciting new direction, you and I and all Americans are going to be a key part of the change that is coming. I couldn't be more hopeful about meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead. But I want to take just one moment to look back at the incredible experiences you and I shared over the last two years. From the moment we launched our historic campaign back in January 2007, I was deeply moved by the amount of support you showed me . We spent 17 months in a hard-fought campaign making sure that every American had a chance to make their voice heard. We made history by putting 18 million cracks in the very highest glass ceiling. And when that campaign came to an end, we kept working and fighting, putting our hearts into making history again by helping to put Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the White House. I'm so proud of all we ac...
Read more

We’ll be sharing the results of the survey with President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and other members of our leadership team

Image
I hope you, your family, and other loved ones are staying healthy during the ongoing pandemic. At the Clinton Foundation, we rely upon input from supporters and partners in our work to help guide our decision-making — and that includes you. As we mark the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, I hope you’ll take a moment to share your feedback on our work and where you want to see us focus our future efforts and resources. Please, take our new survey and tell us what you think. We’ll be sharing the results of the survey with President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and other members of our leadership team, so even if you’ve taken one of our surveys before, we want to hear what’s most important to you at this time. Please, take our new survey and tell us what you think. Our team is hoping to hear from a broad range of voices, including supporters like you, so I hope you’ll take a moment to respond. Thank you for being a member of the Clinton Foundation community. With best wishes, Kevin Thurm Chief ...
Read more

newest episode of “Why Am I Telling You This?,” Stacey Abrams joined President Clinton

Image
  Dear Robert, On the newest episode of “Why Am I Telling You This?,”  Stacey Abrams  joined President Clinton for a conversation about the fight to protect and expand the right to vote; how we can repair and restore faith in democratic institutions, elections, and voting; and what we can all do to achieve real, meaningful change. This conversation was recorded as part of the  13th annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University , hosted in partnership with Howard University. This year’s class joins a network of more than 10,000 young leaders from all 50 states and 160 countries across the world who are taking action to address pressing challenges on their college campuses and in their communities. Meet seven of these students who are addressing the public health, economic, and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with support from the Clinton Foundation’s COVID-19 Student Action Fund  here . And in case you missed it,  Dr....
Read more

Ayanna: letter to President Joe Biden

Image
  Black, Representative Cori Bush and I, in partnership with dozens of our House colleagues, recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to commute every single federal death sentence and abolish the death penalty once and for all. Will you add your name right now to our petition to Joe Biden calling on him to commute every federal death sentence and abolish the death penalty? Every signature will be sent to President Biden’s team, so your voice will make a difference. Add Your Name Our criminal INJUSTICE system is racist, xenophobic, rogue, and fundamentally broken.  State-sanctioned murder is not justice, and it never will be. President Biden has the power and moral authority to act: he can commute the sentences of every person who is currently sentenced to death under federal law and finally end the death penalty once and for all. Together we will make sure that no more Americans are condemned to die at the hands of our criminal injustice system. Add your name ...
Read more

Millions of transgender people still face discrimination

Image
    Friend, did you see the news? One of my first actions as a Congresswoman was to display a transgender pride flag outside my office. I did so to show the trans community -- which includes friends and family of mine -- that they are seen, heard, and not erased. Today, we must recommit our efforts toward protecting the rights of transgender Americans. Dangerous misinformation has been amplified by right-wing politicians and media figures, resulting in a disturbing series of state legislative actions across the country that target the healthcare and well-being of trans youth. Last month, I was named a co-chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, an arm of the Congressional LGTBQ+ Equality Caucus that is advocating for legislative and administrative action to ensure that the trans community is treated with dignity and respect. I look forward to using this role to continue advancing equality -- because now is not a time where we can afford silence from allies. Millions of tr...
Read more

NAAGA: Your Second Amendment Rights are not Free

Image
What Does NAAGA Stand For ? Hi Robert! This is your November 2017 NAAGA Newsletter. The newsletter contains information that is related to gun ownership and the National African-American Gun Association. Please carve out time to read the newsletter from start to finish as it is jam-packed with information. e National African American Gun Association Newsletter   November 2017 ​                                                                ​​​​​​  20,000+ Members with 48 Chapters In 20 years you can say I was a part of history by joining the Association. Go to  www.NAAGA.co  and click on Join Today! Instructors Database.    We are establishing a National Firearms Instructor Database.  If you are a Certified Instructor ...
Read more

Get your ticket now for our International Women's Day event

Image
  Robert -- I'm excited to share that Amanda Gorman will be joining Nancy Pelosi, Chrissy Teigen, and myself for our virtual event on March 8th. I'd love for you to be there, too. Get your ticket now for our International Women's Day event on Monday, March 8th. This has been a difficult year, and I’m so grateful for events like these that have allowed us all to safely stay connected with one another. Grab your ticket now  and join us as we celebrate women from all walks of life.  Onward! Hillary        Onward Together 120 W 45th Street New York, NY 10036 United States Contributions or gifts to Onward Together Committee are not tax-deductible. You may give more or less than the suggested contribution amount (up to a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year), or you may refuse to contribute at all, without reprisal or being advantaged or disadvantaged in any way. Contributions to Onward Together Committee will be used for a political purpose. You're receiving...
Read more

Momnibus Act would take important measures to protect Black pregnant parent’s lives.

Image
  Robert, The United States has the worst mortality rate in the modern world, and Black women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy. This Black History Month, I am again reminded of how racism and sexism have continued to dominate the healthcare system. Black mothers deserve equal access to quality, anti-racist, and life saving healthcare. Will you add your name to become a citizen co-sponsor of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act? This critical legislation will save Black pregnant mother’s lives. Click here to sign on → SIGN ON Black women time and time again have not been believed when explaining their symptoms, and oftentimes only have access to low quality healthcare. This month and beyond, we must commit ourselves to ensuring that the Black community has equal access to critical infrastructure such as healthcare, and Black mothers feel heard when seeking out treatment. The Momnibus Act would take important measures to protect Black pregn...
Read more

BIP: United States Adjustments to ISIS

United States Adjustments to ISIS CJA/454 Robert L. Gilyard September 2, 2014 Gary Howard United States Adjustment to ISIS This paper is an analysis on ISIS terrorism and how the American criminal justice system can adapt to the rising trend of terror. Suggestions to change the situation, proposed changes, positive, and negative effect of the change examination. Explanation and proposed usage of criminal justice management support, financial, training, and human resources tools available to combat terrorism. Situation: ISIS ISIS is a new organization with origination from 2006’s Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). The disbanding of Al-Qaeda organizations and other terror groups combined their resources and financial avenues into a new terror group called ISIS. They are not a new organization; it is a combination of the failed ones. The American media outlets are aiding in their emphasis on image terror. Using Bin Laden’s terror playbook and how he used video and random acts of ter...
Read more