#RandomThoughts Courtesy the Obama Foundation: As the 2021 Black History Month Comes To a Close.....

 Please Enjoy:

Hi there, As we come to the end of another powerful Black History Month, we wanted to make sure you saw a few of the stories we shared. From highlighting moments in history that will be included in the Obama Presidential Center Museum, to lifting up the voices of Chicago’s youth, we hope these stories remind you of how far we’ve come as a nation—and how much further we have to go. —The Obama Foundation

THREE YEARS WITH THE OBAMA PORTRAITS Three years ago, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald became the first Black artists to create official, Smithsonian-commissioned portraits of a former President and First Lady. Revisit when President and Mrs. Obama revealed their historic portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. THE POWER OF ART IN THE OBAMA WHITE HOUSE During their time in the White House, President and Mrs. Obama always recognized and embraced the power of art. By showcasing pieces that depicted important chapters in the American story, White House visitors and staffers alike were reminded of how far we’ve come as a nation—and the work that remains to create a more just society for all. Explore the artwork.  A CHORUS OF HOPE Based in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, the Chicago Children’s Choir always ends Black History Month with a performance of “We Shall Overcome,” an iconic song of the Civil Rights Movement. See how the Choir is using the power of music and community to get through these difficult times. CELEBRATING THE BLACK HISTORY OF JACKSON PARK When Frederick Douglass traveled to Jackson Park to attend the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, he made the park a part of Black history. The Obama Presidential Center will add another chapter to its storied history. See how.