I went to the opening of the Obama Presidential Center yesterday with my brother John. It was a star-studded event, with former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Biden along with their first ladies, local politicians including Senator Dick Durbin, Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, dozens of CEOs from the Chicago area including Tom Wilson of Allstate, Jennifer Scanlon of UL and Michael O’Grady of Northern Trust, plus media notables David Letterman, Michael Wilbon, and Stephen Colbert.
This was a sweet walk down memory lane for both Barack and Michelle Obama. The President said that he came to Chicago after law school in a “janky old car that had all of my belongings in the trunk and back seat.” He said that his entire adult life was spent on the South Side of Chicago. He talked about his experience as a community organizer going door-to-door to register voters. He pointed north toward the Ramada Inn where he announced his candidacy for the State Senate. He spoke tenderly about his daughters who went to nearby University of Chicago Lab School. Then he extolled his wife; “marrying her was the best thing I did in my life.” He was careful in his remarks about the present political situation in the U.S. but did assert that every American is due life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that democracy relies on hope and that the world is better with America as a selfless agent of progress.
Michelle Obama was far less restrained in her speech. She decried the lack of honesty and constant disinformation from the political class. She said that the present pursuit of personal financial gain by those in government is unseemly and unacceptable. She encouraged all citizens to vote, to participate in the political process, to work for change. She was full of admiration for her husband, who “never lost his temper and never felt overwhelmed by any challenge…the values my husband has exemplified for his entire life; equality, empathy, honesty, inclusion and fairness.”
The artistic community came in full force. Common and John Legend performed together. Bono delivered a lovely musical tribute to Michelle Obama, even crooning “Michelle my belle,” before going over for a hug. Marc Anthony delighted the crowd with his “Vivir Mi Vida” (To Live My Life). Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson performed solos of the President’s favorite Broadway hits.
The OPC is not a traditional Presidential library. It is intended to be more of a university, educating future public servants in a non-partisan way, giving them the tools to compete in elections or to be effective administrators. There have already been ten classes of Obama Scholars who have gone on to serve in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. The OPC will also be a vital community center, with a world-class basketball court, garden for growing healthy foods, children’s recreation park and conference facility. The former President said, “There is a new generation out there ready to write the next chapter of our story. We intend to help them to do it, and we ask that you join us.”
As I walked out of the event today, I had President Obama's words in my head. "There is unfinished business. The work must go on." Amen to that for all of us in the communications world, dedicated not only to educating the public on the issues of the day, but also to building trust, creating understanding, and inspiring people to engage in the work of strengthening their communities and institutions.
Richard Edelman is CEO.
