Latest news with #ObamaFoundation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Barack Obama says work-life balance isn't real for successful people
Former President Barack Obama admits that if you want to find career success, you shouldn't expect to always have work–life balance; it's okay to 'throw yourself into work,' as long as you make up for it later, he says. After a hard-core campaign season, he set a strict rule as president to have dinner every night with Michelle and his two daughters, Sasha and Malia. If finding success in your career is on your bucket list, you might need to get used to working lunches and staying past 5 p.m. That's, at least, according to former President Barack Obama, who recently revealed that achieving proper work–life balance will not always be possible. 'If you want to be excellent at anything—sports, music, business, politics—there's going to be times of your life when you're out of balance, where you're just working and you're single-minded,' he admitted on The Pivot Podcast. It's a lesson he—and his family learned the hard way. The 63-year-old admitted that when he first ran for president, he was on the constant grind for over a year and a half. While he said he would take some breaks during the weekends, his wife Michelle was largely left picking up the slack at home, taking care of the kids, even while she had a full-time job of her own. Though the time away from his family led to two terms in the White House, Obama admitted it wasn't sustainable. As president, he set a rule where he had family dinner every night at 6:30pm—even if he had to go back to work later. And while some leaders might think it takes away valuable work time, he said the opportunity to decompress with family was actually incredibly impactful. 'They ground you and give you perspective, and over time, that makes you better,' he said. Even as a former president, Obama admitted that his political accomplishments—what kept him away from his family—won't be what he remembers at the end of life. Instead, it'll be the love and memories he had with his children. 'I don't think there's a perfect formula,' he said at an Obama Foundation event in 2019. 'I think it starts with recognizing that on my deathbed, I am confident that I will not remember any bill I passed, I will not remember any speech I gave, any big crowds.' That's not to say career aspirations are not important, he said, it just means the level of commitment someone can give to their work all depends on what life is like at home—and vice versa. 'There will be phases in your life where you have to prioritize different things,' Obama said. 'There are times where it will be okay for you to just throw yourself into work because everything's in a pretty good place. There are going to be times where you have to maybe make some sacrifices on the work side because things aren't all okay at home.' For couples, the same premise applies—sometimes sacrifice will be made to aid the other to focus on their dream, but the favor has to be returned. 'In both cases, (Michelle and I) try to say, you can have it all—but you can't have it all at once,' he told The Pivot Podcast. 'You have to recognize there may be times in your life that you are going to be busy, and the other person has to put up the slack, but you have to be willing to do that for the other person as well and try to create some equity inside the family.' Fortune has reached Obama for comment. The debate over work-life balance isn't just top of mind for political leaders—but business leaders, too. LinkedIn's cofounder, Reid Hoffman, has previously said that work–life balance is not much of an option for entrepreneurs who want to break through the competition. 'If I ever hear a founder talking about, 'this is how I have a balanced life'—they're not committed to winning,' Hoffman told Stanford University's 'How to Start a Startup' class in 2014. 'The only really great founders are [the one's who are] like, 'I am going to put literally everything into doing this.'' But like Obama, Hoffman had one exception to the grind: dinner with families. 'When we started LinkedIn, we started with people who had families. So we said, sure, go home have dinner with your family,' Hoffman said late last year on the Diary of a CEO podcast. 'Then, after dinner with your family, open up your laptop and get back in the shared work experience and keep working.' For other leaders, having structured work–life balance is non negotiable. In fact, Laxman Narasimhan, the former CEO of Starbucks, previously told Fortune that he's 'very disciplined about balance.' 'It's got to be a pretty high bar to keep me away from the family.' This story was originally featured on
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
BIN: Black Information Network Partners with The Obama Foundation to Advance Community Engagement with Youth
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BIN: Black Information Network, a 24/7 national audio news network dedicated to providing fact-based, objective news with a distinct Black voice, today announced its collaboration with The Obama Foundation to advance community engagement with youth. This multi-year collaboration — the first of its kind for BIN — brings together its mission to inform, educate and elevate Black voices with The Obama Foundation's commitment to empowering individuals and communities to create lasting change. Both organizations share a vision of advancing equity, social justice and civic engagement for future generations. 'This powerful collaboration will deliver important, unbiased information to our audiences, promote civic engagement, and foster inclusive dialogue. In today's news environment, our responsibility is to ensure the stories, commitment and goals of civic and community leaders are heard by our listeners and carried forward by future generations,' said Tony Coles, President of BIN: Black Information Network. 'The Obama Foundation is proud to partner with BIN in this unique collaboration to advance youth engagement,' said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation. 'Working together, we will amplify the critical work of the leaders working every day to make a difference in their communities and elevate stories of progress, unity and justice to a wider audience, inspiring collective action for a more equitable future.' This multi-year collaboration will build upon BIN's mission to provide a nonpartisan and responsible news service to the Black community while showcasing the transformative programs of the Obama Foundation, including the Leaders Program; My Brother's Keeper Alliance; Girls Opportunity Alliance; Obama Foundation Scholars; and others that empower young leaders, support educational and career opportunities and foster inclusive communities that incite leadership and sustainable change. Additionally, BIN will advance the mission of the Obama Presidential Center in the runup to opening in 2026 by sharing and distributing stories focused on President Obama's legacy, community-driven initiatives on the South Side of Chicago and engaging in national conversations around equity, democracy and change. About BIN: Black Information Network BIN: Black Information Network reaches over 19 million monthly listeners and is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app and is available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices as well as on local AM/FM broadcast radio stations across America, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. About The Obama Foundation The Obama Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. That mission begins on the South Side of Chicago, where the Foundation is building the Obama Presidential Center. The Obama Presidential Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation's first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where—together—they made their home. Not only will the Center generate billions of dollars of economic opportunity and help reconnect and revitalize Jackson Park, but it will also serve as a reminder to young visitors—from around the city and from around the world—that their potential is limitless.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Funeral to be for Lori Healey, former Daley chief of staff and Obama Center executive
Longtime civic leader and urban planner Lori Healey, who died earlier this month from pancreatic cancer, will be laid to rest on Tuesday. A celebration of life will be held Tuesday morning at Chicago Women's Park and Gardens in the South Loop near McCormick Place. Healey began her career as a policy aide to Kansas Gov. John Carlin in 1983, according to the City Club of Chicago, where Healey was a board member. In Chicago, Healey served as commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development under Mayor Richard M. Daley, and was appointed his chief of staff in 2007. In 2009, Healey was appointed president of Chicago 2016, where she co-led Chicago's ultimately unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Healey also coordinated the organizational and planning activities for the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago as executive director of the NATO Host Committee, the City Club of Chicago noted. Healey later served as chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, also known as McPier, which owns Navy Pier and McCormick Place. In 2019, Healey became the president of the Chicago regional business unit at Clayco, a Chicago-based development and design firm. In December 2020, Healey joined the Obama Foundation as senior vice president and executive project officer for the Obama Presidential Center. She was at the helm of the project to develop the 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center campus in Jackson Park, which is still under construction. Healey's family called her "a remarkable woman — a deeply devoted mother and grandmother who found her greatest joy in time spent with her adoring family."
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Obama Library Update: Foundation Hits Back At Trump Claims
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, originally envisioned as a new landmark for the city's South Side, has hit back at claims of mismanagement from President Donald Trump. Despite the Obama Foundation's optimistic public updates, the project has faced major cost overruns, construction disputes and criticism from Trump. Newsweek contacted the Obama Foundation for comment on this story via email. The Context The delay and ballooning budget have made the project a flashpoint. The center's cost has nearly doubled from its original estimate and is now projected at close to $1 billion. The Obama Foundation has said that the project is privately funded and does not rely on taxpayer dollars. What To Know In a statement on Tuesday, the Obama Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to the center's vision, saying on X (formerly Twitter): "We can't wait to open our doors to the Obama Presidential Center next spring! "In addition to a world-class museum, the 19.3-acre campus will feature a gymnasium, a fruit and vegetable garden, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a playground, and so much more." The Obama Foundation's official updates say that work has proceeded to close the exterior of the main building, install glass and granite, and fit interior windows on museum levels. Additional insulation has been completed in other structures. However, Trump weighed in on the project during an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, calling the project a "disaster," sharply criticizing its management and blaming "woke" hiring practices for its issues. Former President Barack Obama points out features of the proposed Obama Presidential Center, which is scheduled to be built in nearby Jackson Park, during a gathering at the South Shore Cultural Center on May 3,... Former President Barack Obama points out features of the proposed Obama Presidential Center, which is scheduled to be built in nearby Jackson Park, during a gathering at the South Shore Cultural Center on May 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. More Getty Images In response, the Obama Foundation pushed back on the president's remarks. "Everyone who sees the Obama Presidential Center is blown away by its beauty, scale and the way it will be an economic engine for Chicago and a beacon of hope for the world," Emily Bittner, the foundation's vice president of communications, said in a statement to Newsweek. "We look forward to welcoming all visitors to the 19.3-acre campus next spring, to experience a presidential center that not only honors the Obamas' legacy but also lifts up the next generation of leaders." The foundation also responded to the suggestion from Trump that work on the project had "stopped," saying that the president's characterization was not based on fact, and that it was instead a minor dispute between subcontractors that did not directly involve the foundation. The center was first announced with a budget of around $500 million. However, in 2022, the project cost had increased to about $830 million. What People Are Saying President Donald Trump said on Tuesday: "I mean look, President Obama—and if he wanted help, I'd give him help because I build on time and on budget—he's building his presidential library in Chicago. It's a disaster. And he said something to the effect, 'I only want DEI, I only want woke.' "He wants woke people to build it. Well, he got woke people and they have massive cost overruns; the job is stopped. I don't know, it's a disaster." What's Next The Obama Foundation says work will continue at pace to ready the site for public visitors in 2026.
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
President Trump mocks Barack Obama's presidential library
"President Obama - and if he wanted help, I'd give him help because I'm a really good builder and I build on time, on budget - he's building his library in Chicago, and it's a disaster," Trump said. The Obama Presidential Center is an ambitious 19-acre project being built as a tribute to the former president in the heart of a South Side neighborhood. The construction is about halfway complete, according to the former president's foundation, but it has been besieged by significant delays and has gone well over budget. Its initial cost of $350 million, has ballooned to $830 million. The center was originally supposed to open in 2021, but last year officials announced it wouldn't be open to the public until 2026. But supporters say the center, which is privately funded, is aimed at revitalizing a historic public park in Chicago's South Side with various community partners and projected to generate $3 billion in economic activity. Plans for the facility include building a forum for local and international gatherings, an athletic center for the community, a walking trail, a great lawn, a sledding hill and a playground. It is projected to be a catalyst for economic development. "Everyone who sees the Obama Presidential Center is blown away by its beauty, scale and the way it will be an economic engine for Chicago and a beacon of hope for the world," Obama Foundation spokeswoman Emily Bittner told USA TODAY in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming all visitors to the 19.3-acre campus next spring, to experience a presidential center that not only honors the Obamas' legacy but also lifts up the next generation of leaders." Trump's critiques went further during the Oval Office meeting. He argued the Obama library's woes were due to its emphasis on hiring local and minority-owned companies. The Obama Foundation has said that about 35% of subcontractors would be minority-owned businesses, 15% would be women-owned and 9% would be from the greater Chicago area. "And (Obama) said something to the effect of, 'I only want DEI. I only want woke.' He wants woke people to build it," Trump said. "Well, he's got woke people." The project took a reputational hit earlier this year after a Black-owned subcontracting company filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against another contractor. But the foundation is not a party to that dispute, and officials said it would have no impact on the center's opening timeline given it was filed after the work was completed. Obama has been critical of Trump 2.0 The two men were cordial to one another at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter earlier this year, even sharing a laugh, but Obama hasn't shied away from expressing his disapproval of Trump's use of executive authority in his second term. In April, for example, Obama encouraged universities and law firms to resist the administration's actions and stick up for democratic values. He slammed the Trump administration for cancelling federal contracts to firms connected to political rivals and moving to block hundreds of millions for colleges and universities that refused to ban the use of masks and eliminate diversity programs, for example. "That kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans," he said, challenging the audience at Hamilton College in New York: "Imagine if I had done any of this." Obama also took a swipe at Trump for booting the Associated Press from official events in retaliation for the news agency's refusal to adopt Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of America. "Imagine if I had pulled Fox News' credentials from the White House press corps," Obama said in April. "You're laughing, but this is what's happening." As of late, Trump, who pushed the false claim that Obama was not born in the United States a decade ago, has been somewhat complimentary of Obama. During the 2024 presidential campaign, for example, he referred to Obama as a "nice gentleman" whom he happened to "like and respect." When entertaining the unconstitutional idea of seeking a third term, Trump perked up at the idea of running against Obama. "I'd love that, boy, I'd love that," he said.
