28. Joshua Harris and the Vision Behind the Obama Presidential Center

We got dibs on the future of Chicago’s cultural landscape with Joshua Harris, Vice President of Public Engagement at the Obama Foundation.Joshua takes us inside the vision behind the highly anticipated Obama Presidential Center opening this June in Jackson Park. More than a presidential library, the 20-acre campus is designed as a living civic hub focused on community, leadership, culture, wellness, and opportunity for Chicagoans and visitors from around the world.In this episode, we discuss:Why President and Mrs. Obama chose Chicago’s South Side for the centerThe mission of the Obama Foundation and its global leadership programsHow the center was shaped by community feedback from all 77 Chicago neighborhoodsThe partnership with the Chicago Public Library and the first-of-its-kind library branch on campusPlans for free public programming, including movies, concerts, sports clinics, podcasts, media production, cooking demonstrations, and moreThe inspiration behind “Home Court,” the center’s NBA-sized basketball and wellness facilityMichelle Obama’s continued advocacy for girls and youth empowerment through the Girls Opportunity AllianceValerie Jarrett’s leadership and influence behind the foundation’s growthJoshua’s journey from Houston to New Orleans to Chicago, and his experience working in public serviceThe lasting impact President Obama still has on Chicago communities and future generationsJoshua also shares stories about surprise visits from President Obama, the excitement building ahead of the opening, and why the center is intended to be a welcoming space for everyone.Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center Museum are now available from June 19 through November 30, 2026.Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and comment; it helps us continue to bring you the voices behind the institutions, people, and places that make Chicago extraordinary.Connect with the hosts of DIBS on Instagram, Nick Sarantos and Mallory Waxman