Merry Christmas! Earlier this month, President Barack Obama surprised Parkside Community Academy students on the South Side of Chicago with presents, a Christmas book reading, and some holiday cheer. To all those celebrating the holiday, we hope your day is merry and bright! | Obama Foundation

13K views · 640 reactions | “We are trying to empower youth to achieve their potential, regardless of the circumstances they’re currently in.” After meeting at the 2018 #ObamaSummit, Obama Scholar Vanessa Paranjothy teamed up with Obama Leader Robert Katende to bring her project, Freedom Cups, to his SOM Chess Academy in Uganda. See how this cross-continent collaboration empowers women by helping them manage their periods while staying in school. | Obama Foundation | Facebook

“I had to learn how to love my story and to tell it with pride. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and I'm proud of that.” This week, former First Lady Michelle Obama returned to her hometown to host our latest Futures Series at Hyde Park Academy. Take a look at some of the advice she shared with the students: | Obama Foundation