Malia and Sasha Obama rarely appear in public at the opening of their parents’ presidential center
Barack Obama reflects on how Chicago shaped his leadership and purpose, calling the center a celebration of democracy
The star-studded event features performances celebrating Obama’s legacy and the center’s focus on community resources
Malia and Sasha Obama stepped back into the spotlight for a rare public appearance on Thursday, June 18, joining their parents at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center, where celebrities like Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend and Common took the stage.
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The sisters, who have largely stayed out of the public eye since leaving the White House nearly a decade ago, took the stage with their parents, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, during the star-studded ceremony.
The South Side Chicago campus features a museum, event and concert space, public park, and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. While Malia, 27, and Sasha, 25, occasionally appear in family posts on social media or at major events, public appearances with their parents remain rare.
Malia has spent the past few years building a career in Hollywood, working with Donald Glover on projects including the TV series Swarm and her directorial debut short film, The heart. Sasha, meanwhile, made headlines earlier this year when she joined her family at the NBA All-Star Game in California.
Source: KENT NISHIMURA/Getty
The opening ceremony marked the start of a weekend-long celebration as the $850 million center officially opens to the public on June 10. Built over five years, the campus honors Obama’s historic presidency while offering community resources that include a civic center, athletic facilities, a playground, a community garden inspired by Michelle Obama’s White House kitchen garden, and a soaring museum dedicated to the former president’s legacy.
Some of music’s biggest names helped celebrate the event. The roots welcomed guests with a set that included classics like “Change (Makes You Wanna Hustle),” “You Got Me,” “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Jungle Boogie.” Jennifer Hudson officially kicked off the event by performing the national anthem and a rendition of “To Dream the Impossible Dream.”
Christina Aguilera followed with a performance of “What a Wonderful World”…
while Eddie Vedder took the stage with young musicians from Guitars Over Guns to debut an original song written especially for the ceremony.
“President Obama knew I wanted to play music with young musicians from the neighborhood, but when he heard we were writing an original piece, a song just for the occasion, he said it might be a lot of work,” Vedder said. “And as usual, he was right. But it’s been great work, and that’s everything the center stands for. It’s inclusivity, it’s access to resources, it’s mentorship and opportunity. So we’re thankful for this opportunity.”
Later, John Legend paid tribute to Chicago legend Donny Hathaway with a performance of “Someday We’ll Be Free” before reflecting on his long relationship with Obama.
“The first time I met President Obama, he was Senator Obama. We met in his office almost 20 years ago and he was thinking about running for president,” Legend said. “I told him, ‘You need something from us, just tell us, we’ll be happy to help.’ And we helped that. We were so grateful to be a part of this whole journey from the beginning, so grateful to see this beautiful facility here, and honor all the work that the Obamas did, but that we all did together.”
Legend then welcomed Common to perform their Oscar-winning collaboration “Glory” alongside the United Voices of Chicago choir.
Nigerian star Tems also performed her hit “Wait for You” and shared a heartfelt message before taking the stage.
“I am so blessed and honored to be here,” she said. “This one is for you, everyone in this room, for Mr. and Mrs. Obama and for the whole family.”
Stevie Wonder also performed, much to the delight of the Obamas, who were seen singing along to “All I Do” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”
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He also brought other A-list artists to close the festive event.
The afternoon also offered Barack Obama give the keynote speech.
“Hello Chicago. Sweet home, Chicago,” former President Barack Obama said as he took the stage to close the star-studded ceremony.
He first thanked the dignitaries and family members in attendance, including former President Joe Biden and his family.
“In front of Michelle, she did me wrong. She wouldn’t let me see her speech. She knew she was going to mess me up, but she did it anyway,” he laughed. “But she always made me better and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
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Obama reflected on how he arrived in Chicago in 1985 at the age of 23 in what he described as a “funky car” bought in New York, determined to make a difference.
“It was here in this city, a city with broad shoulders, that I found what I was looking for, day by day, block by block,” Obama said.
He explained that Chicago shaped his understanding of leadership and community.
“Obama said in Chicago that he learned that leadership ‘has less to do with titles or rank or chasing attention than it does with helping others find their voice.'”
“In other words, I found my purpose here, and I strengthened my faith here, and I found my community here, friendships that would last a lifetime, and I found a girl from the South Side who has been my greatest blessing,” he said.
Obama also emphasized that Chicago was always the intended home of the presidential center.
“So for me this center couldn’t be anywhere else,” he said.
Looking ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, Obama said the center would celebrate the principles at the heart of the nation’s democracy.
“Will serve as a confirmation of how special, how precious our democracy really is,” he said.
“And that in the newly independent United States of America there will be no kings or lords, no serfs or subjects, but only citizens,” Obama said. “Each of us is free to pursue our own version of happiness and able to determine our collective destiny through elected representative government.”
He went on to link the center’s mission to democratic ideals and civic engagement.
“A belief in the inherent dignity and worth of all people and that no one is above the law or under its protection. A belief in checks and balances in our government and the accountability that comes with an independent judiciary and a robust free press,” Obama said. “A belief that our military and law enforcement owe allegiance not to any president or political party, but to the people and our Constitution. A belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken in fair and free elections, recognizing that in a large, complicated society like ours, no group or faction gets its way 100% of the time.”
