Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program – 2023
The application for the 2023 Leaders USA program is now open and will close on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 12:00 PM U.S. ET
At the Obama Foundation, we are guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone.
We were founded by community organizers, so when we seek change, we do it by bringing people together.
That approach begins at home, on the South Side of Chicago, where we are building the Obama Presidential Center. The 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.
But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity.
The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program builds upon the Foundation’s work over the past five years to support emerging leaders around the world. The new program will offer 100 U.S-based leaders the opportunity to learn new skills and tools to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities.
We aim for the Leaders USA cohort to be reflective of the rich diversity in the United States, with representation from across geographies and underrepresented communities, including people from rural communities, people of color, Native Americans, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, and veterans.
Upon completion of the program, Obama Leaders will have gained new skills and ideas as well as a deeper understanding of how to enact change. Leaders will join a growing global alumni network of more than 850 active cross-sector changemakers who are advancing tangible solutions to the greatest challenges of our time.
We’re looking for values-driven changemakers between the ages of 24-45 who are working to create lasting, positive change in the lives of people in their community.
The Leaders USA program is for people who are driving systems-level change across sectors and fields and have at least three years of demonstrated impact. From expanding access to education to protecting worker’s rights, we are looking for leaders from every corner of the country who are ready to expand their impact and play a role in strengthening our democracy.
The Leaders USA program is a six-month leadership development program for emerging leaders who are passionate about making a positive impact on their communities. The program will run between June 1 and November 17, 2023 with an average time commitment of 8-12 hours per month. The Leaders USA program will bring together a 100-member cohort from across the United States. Participants, known as “Obama Leaders” or “Leaders,” will take part in weekly sessions that include:
- Practical tools and training for deepening values-based leadership
- Individualized coaching
- Community groups
- Conversations with thought leaders
- Cultural programming that showcases the richness of diversity in the region
- Curated spaces for deep personal reflection and interpersonal learning with peers
Upon completion of the program, Obama Leaders will become part of the Obama Foundation’s leadership network—a growing community of civically active, positive role models who are creating tangible solutions to the greatest challenges of our time.
Geographic eligibility requirements to participate in the Leaders USA program
Leaders can come from all 50 states; the District of Columbia; and United States territories including: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, Minor Outlying Islands, Bajo Nuevo Bank, Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, and Palmyra Atoll.
ALL of the following eligibility criteria must be met by applicants in order to be accepted into the Leaders program.
- Citizenship/Residency: You must meet one of the criteria below. :
- You are a citizen of the United States AND you currently reside in the United States or a United States territory OR
- You currently reside, and have resided for the last 5 years, in the United States or a United States territory.
- Geographic Focus: Your current and future work is geographically focused on creating positive change for your local community (rural or urban) and/or the broader region.
- Leadership Experience: You can demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience in your issue area.
- Age: You will be between 24- and 45-years-old on December 1, 2023.
- Language Proficiency: You are professionally proficient in English (spoken and written).
- Political Campaigns: You will not be engaging in an electoral campaign for political office between the date you submit your application and December 1, 2023.
- Program Commitment: You can commit to fully participating in the entire duration of the program between June 1 and November 17, 2023, which may include an in-person convening (public health, safety, and security conditions permitting) in November, and up to 12 hours of live virtual programming per month. Participants should have no more than three absences in order to attend the convening and complete the program.
The Leaders program is designed to build connection and community within the cohort by enabling Leaders to reflect on their own values and activate shared values. The cohort will meet virtually over Zoom for an average of four times per month, engaging with trainers, subject matter experts, and their peers to deepen their leadership practice. Each session will last approximately two to two and a half hours. Sessions will primarily be held at times convenient to the majority of participants in the region, as well as Foundation staff.
Additionally, there will be a mandatory participation in one hour of coaching and one hour of small community group discussions per month.There may be occasional optional sessions that highlight special and or timely opportunities. In total, Leaders can expect to dedicate an average of 8–12 hours per month over the course of the virtual program.
The program will run from June through November 2023. Leaders will participate in the following core elements of the program:
Weekly Virtual Workshops
Over six months, Leaders will come together for virtual meetings over Zoom to discuss how to move from hope to action through practical tools and training in the values-driven leadership curriculum. They will also engage with trainers, subject matter experts, and each other to deepen their leadership practice.
A Community of Support
The program includes opportunities for Leaders to meet virtually in breakout groups with Leaders from different parts of the country and with Obama Foundation leadership and experts across sectors.
Individual Leadership Coaching
Leaders will be paired with a coach to help them clarify and build out their individual goals.
Community Convening
The Obama Foundation Leaders USA experience will include an in-person convening for deeper community-building, learning, and celebration.
Stipend: Leaders will not be paid a stipend.
Financial Support: The Obama Foundation does not offer grants or financial support during the program term.
Applications for the inaugural Leaders USA cohort are open now through February 3, 2023.
