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.
They 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.
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.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
The Leaders USA program will have weekly sessions that include:
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Interactive learning experiences through a values-driven leadership curriculum
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Regional breakout groups that will apply lessons learned to local context
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Opportunities to build connections with and learn from leaders with shared values across the country
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Leadership coaching and office hours with Obama Foundation leadership and experts across sectors, and
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An in-person convening in Chicago as a forum for deeper community-building and learning .
Eligibilities
- Citizenship/Residency: 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. 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, your state, district, or U.S. territory, or nationally across the United States. Leaders focused on rural communities are encouraged to apply.
- 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 from June through November 2023, which will include a three day in-person convening (public health, safety, and security conditions permitting; certain hybrid accommodations may be possible for immunocompromised Leaders and Leaders with immunocompromised family members) in the fall, and up to 12 hours of live virtual programming per month. Participants should have no more than three absences to be eligible to attend the convening and complete the program.
Eligible Regions: United States
Application Process
Apply using the Apply Link.
Application Deadline: February 3, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
