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Michelle Obama

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Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is a lawyer, writer, and the wife of the 44th President, Barack Obama. She was the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Through her four main initiatives, she has become a role model for women and an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, and international adolescent girls education.



When people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate to say that first and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom.



But before she was a mother -- or a wife, lawyer, or public servant -- she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter.



The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons.



A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle Robinson studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met Barack Obama, the man who would become the love of her life.



After a few years, Mrs. Obama decided her true calling was working with people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.



In 1996, Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. As Associate Dean of Student Services, she developed the university's first community service program, and under her leadership as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed.



Mrs. Obama continued her efforts to support and inspire young people during her time as First Lady.



In 2010, she launched Let's Move!, bringing together community leaders, educators, medical professionals, parents, and others in a nationwide effort to address the challenge of childhood obesity. Let's Move! had an ambitious goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Whether it was providing healthier food in our schools, helping kids be more physically active, or urging companies to market healthier foods to our children, Let's Move! focused on giving parents the support they needed to make healthier choices for their kids.



In 2011, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden came together to launch Joining Forces, a nationwide initiative calling all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities. Joining Forces worked hand in hand with the public and private sector to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families had the tools they needed to succeed throughout their lives.



In 2014, Mrs. Obama launched the Reach Higher Initiative, an effort to inspire young people across America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. Reach Higher aimed to ensure that all students understood what they need to complete their education by working to expose students to college and career opportunities; helping them understand financial aid eligibility; encouraging academic planning and summer learning opportunities; and supporting high school counselors who do essential work to help students get into college.



In 2015, Mrs. Obama joined President Obama to launch Let Girls Learn, a U.S. government-wide initiative to help girls around the world go to school and stay in school. As part of this effort, Mrs. Obama called on countries across the globe to help educate and empower young women, and she shared the stories and struggles of these young women with young people here at home to inspire them to commit to their own education.



As First Lady, Mrs. Obama worked on the issues close to her heart -- supporting military families, helping children lead healthier lives, and encouraging all our young people to fulfill their boundless promise.

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P.O.S. (Above & Beyond's Paavo Siljamäki) Collaborates With Spencer Brown And MARIEME on 'It's Me'

Above & Beyond's Paavo Siljamäki follows up the release of his debut album P.O.S. Deeper Tales with a new single “It’s Me,” a collaboration with Spencer Browne and Senegalese-American artist Marieme. The culmination of a personal journey, the album sees Paavo reconnect with club culture and rediscover himself on this solo release.

Choral Artists' AMERICSAN FANFARE Is July 4 At Sarasota Opera House

For the past 18 years, Choral Artists of Sarasota has celebrated America's freedom and independence with a July 4th concert of rousing, patriotic songs. According to Joseph Holt, the artistic director and conductor of Choral Artists of Sarasota, this may be area audiences' final opportunity to experience the group's beloved Independence Day concert. 

Photos: First Look at WRITTEN BY PHILLIS at Quintessence Theatre Group

Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia's professional classic theatre, concludes Season XIII: Celebrating the Extraordinary with a world premiere of Paul Oakley Stovall’s Written by Phillis, directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce. A new play exploring the life and poetry of America’s first published Black poet Phillis Wheatley, Written by Phillis is presented in association with Chicago’s New Classics Collective, opens tonight, May 13. Check out production photos here!

Video: Courtnee Carter and Douglas Lyons From PARADE Perform at the Future of Everything Festival

Following the conversation with the creative team behind Broadway musical ‘Parade,’ Courtnee Carter and Douglas Lyons performed “A Rumblin’ and a Rollin” at The Wall Street Journal’s The Future of Everything Festival. Check out the video here!

Photos: First Look at La Mirada Theatre's THE KING AND I

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT is presenting Paul Nakauchi as the “King,” Anastasia Barzee as “Anna,” and Joan Almedilla as “Lady Thiang,” along with a cast of 41, coupled with the recent Broadway revival’s lavish sets and costumes, in a sumptuous new production of the Tony Award-winning musical THE KING AND I. Check out photos here!

Marieme Single Featured On Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey

“Built For Greatness,” the new single from Senegalese-American artist Marieme is not only out and available via Venice Music on all digital outlets, but the soon to be anthem is now featured on the Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey|The Light We Carry Netflix special.

651 ARTS in Partnership with The Billie Holiday Theatre Presents SONG SALON

651 ARTS - Brooklyn's premier institution for the African Diasporic performing arts- in partnership with The Billie Holiday Theatre (The Billie) - one of the nation's preeminent arts and culture organizations – will present a new innovative live performance series this Spring with the Song Salon.

Michelle Obama Joined by Oprah Winfrey for Netflix Special THE LIGHT WE CARRY

In a wide-ranging conversation with good friend Oprah Winfrey, the former First Lady shares personal family stories about her childhood and time in the White House, offers hard won wisdom about self-confidence, fear, and aging, and gives practical advice for living in modern times, including the power of a kitchen table full of friends.

Paul Nakauchi, Anastasia Barzee & More to Star in THE KING AND I at La Mirada Theatre

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT invite you to experience “Something Wonderful” as it announces Paul Nakauchi as the “King,” Anastasia Barzee as “Anna,” and Joan Almedilla as “Lady Thiang,” along with a cast of 41.

RuMBa Foundation Of Long Beach Pledges $540,000 To Fund Long Beach Symphony Family Concerts Through 2027

Long Beach Symphony has announced the extraordinary support of the RuMBa Foundation of Long Beach with a pledge of $540,000. This tremendous gift will allow for two RuMBa Foundation Family Concerts per year, ensuring all children can attend for free through 2027.  

THE KING AND I Directed by Glenn Casale to be Presented at La Mirada Theatre This Spring

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT invite you to experience “Something Wonderful” as it presents The King and I!

Laura Benanti, Lily Rabe & More to be Featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival 2023 Summer Season

Programming has been confirmed for the 2023 Williamstown Theatre Festival summer season.

WASHINGTON WOMEN Has its New York Premiere Performance at Lehman College

Essential Voices USA, Judith Clurman, Music Director and Conductor, announce the New York Premiere performance of Washington Women during International Women’s Month - March 29, 2023 at 1PM -  at the Lovinger Theater at Lehman College, Bronx, New York.

Photos/Video: MJ Cast Celebrates Black History Month with Students at Michelle Obama Elementary School

Just last week, on March 9, 14 cast members from MJ on Broadway visited Michelle Obama Elementary School in Newark, NJ for a special presentation and performance. Check out photos and video from the big day.

44 " THE UNOFFICIAL, UNSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL to Return to The Bourbon Room Hollywood

44 – THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL (As Told Through the Hazy Recollection of Joe Biden) is returning to The Bourbon Room Hollywood this Spring.

TAMRON HALL Renewed for Fifth Season With Leading Broadcast Groups

Whether it is taking our show on the road to cover the tragedy in Uvalde, former first lady Michelle Obama’s book tour in Philadelphia, Usher’s residency in Las Vegas, or our exclusive interviews with Elizabeth Smart, Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Terrell Owens - we are meeting that goal. There is so much more to come in season five.

Jennifer Hudson, Viola Davis & More Win NAACP Image Awards - Full List of Winners!

Jennifer Hudson, Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, and more took home NAACP Image Awards over the weekend. Host Queen Latifah also opened the show with a performance of “I’m Gonna Live Til I Die.' Watch the performance and check out the complete list of winners below!

Rorschach Announces Finalists For 2023 MAGIC IN ROUGH SPACES NEW PLAY LAB

Rorschach Theatre has announced the finalists for its annual Magic in Rough Spaces New Play Lab.

Vincent Victoria Presents FROM AFRICA TO THE WHITE HOUSE

February is always a time for celebrating African American icons past and present.  In the play 'From Africa to the White House', award-winning theater company Vincent Victoria Presents will highlight 47 Black heroes.

Marcia Milgrom Dodge, John Tartaglia, Lili-Anne Brown & More Join The Muny's 2023 Season

The Muny announced has announced the directors, choreographers and music director/conductors for The Muny’s 2023 Premier Season. See details about The Muny's season, and see how to purchase tickets.

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