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CNN Live Event/Special
Obama Presidential Center Opens. Aired 1-1:30p ET
Aired June 18, 2026 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[13:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:00:18]
WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Eddie Vedder performing now at the Opening Ceremonies, a very important and beautiful Opening Ceremonies at the brand-new Obama Center in the South Side of Chicago. Let's listen in.
EDDIE VEDDER, MUSICIAN: I'm going to quick to introduce you to the band.
On lead guitar, 12 years old, this is Isa, vocals, all 13 years old, we got Joy, Naomi, and Giselle.
(CHEERING)
VEDDER: On more vocals, we got Mason 13. A veteran of the program, Myskie, he's 20. We have some mentors from the program helping out. That's Jeremiah, Michael and our leader, Andre.
On the bass guitar, the amazing Ayden, 13. And at the ripe old age of 14, we have Cassidy on the drum kit.
(CHEERING)
VEDDER: Now, President Obama was aware that I would be playing music with young musicians from the neighborhood.
But when he heard we were writing an original piece, a song just for the occasion, he said: "That might be a lot of work."
And, as usual, he was right. But it's been great work and it's everything the center stands for. It's inclusivity. It's access to resources. It's mentorship and opportunity. So we thank you for this opportunity.
(APPLAUSE)
VEDDER: The song is called "Better Believe." And I start it.
But is everybody ready?
BAND MEMBERS: Yes.
BAND MEMBER: Let's go.
VEDDER: It goes like this.
(MUSIC)
[13:05:00]
(MUSIC)
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
ANNOUNCER: He's an entrepreneur, innovator, and a driving force to make the Obama Presidential Center a reality. A longtime friend of the Obama family, chair of the Obama foundation board, Marty Nesbitt.
(MUSIC)
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I love that tan suit.
(LAUGHTER)
MARTIN NESBITT, BOARD CHAIRMAN, THE OBAMA FOUNDATION: How you all like my tan suit?
(CHEERING)
B. OBAMA: That is sharp.
NESBITT: It was inspired by a very good friend of mine who made tan suits famous.
(LAUGHTER)
NESBITT: And I don't know about the rest of you all, but I thought he looked pretty good wearing his.
(CHEERING)
NESBITT: So I decided to wear one myself. Well, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So this is my way of just showing a whole lot of love.
(CHEERING)
B. OBAMA: You look good.
NESBITT: Thank you.
In all seriousness, standing here today is deeply personal for me. My wife, Anita, and I have deep roots in this community. We met at Robie House, which is just up the street over there in a home built by Frank Lloyd Wright. We were married in Rockefeller Chapel, which you can see right over the horizon. All five of our children were born at the University of Chicago
Hospital.
(SINGING)
NESBITT: And somebody's inspired by that.
(LAUGHTER)
NESBITT: We were born at the University of -- all five of my kids were born at the University of Chicago Hospital. And Anita served on the faculty at the Pritzker School of Medicine for nearly 30 years.
Over the decades, we have watched this city and this community evolve, overcome challenges, and continually reinvent itself. To stand on the South Side and see the Obama Presidential Center rise here today, where generations of young people will come to learn, lead, and dream, is both emotional and historic.
[13:10:00]
For us, this moment is also a chance to reflect on the privilege of our decades-long friendship with president and Mrs. Obama. which was forged right here on the South Side of Chicago. We have watched them grow as leaders, as parents, as partners in a remarkable journey of service.
And throughout that journey, we have seen the same qualities that inspired millions around the world, conviction, humility, and an unwavering belief that the power of ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Those values are embedded in this place.
This is more than just a building. It's a promise, a promise that leadership matters, a promise that democracy depends on participation, a promise that young people, regardless of where they come from, can make a difference in the communities and in the world, and a promise that the South Side of Chicago will continue to be a source of talent, innovation, and opportunity and hope for generations to come.
(CHEERING)
NESBITT: I also want to recognize the many people who made this day possible.
To Valerie Jarrett, our great, great CEO, the Obama Foundation Board, thank you for your vision, stewardship, commitment throughout this entire journey.
To the donors and supporters whose generosity transformed an idea into reality, thank you. To our civic leaders, community partners, neighborhood residents, and the countless organizers, builders, and team members who worked tirelessly to bring this center to life, we are deeply grateful.
And a special thank you to my dear friend Robbin Cohen, who was employee number one at the Obama Foundation. (APPLAUSE)
NESBITT: Her selflessness, adaptability, and resilience have been indispensable to this journey and remain cornerstones of the culture that we have built together.
Today belongs to all of you. As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, let us remember that the true measure of this center will not be the architecture we admire, but the lives it inspires.
Congratulations to president and Mrs. Obama, to the foundation, to the South Side, and to everyone who helped make this promise a reality.
(CHEERING)
NESBITT: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome John Legend.
(MUSIC)
JOHN LEGEND, MUSICIAN: From Chicago's own Donny Hathaway.
(MUSIC)
[13:15:00]
(MUSIC)
(APPLAUSE)
LEGEND: Thank you so much. It's so good to be here on the South Side of Chicago.
The first time I met President Obama, he was Senator Obama. We met in his office almost 20 years ago, and he was contemplating running for president. I told him: "You need anything from us, just let us know. We will be glad to help out."
And help out, we did. We were so grateful to be a part of this entire journey from the beginning, so grateful to see this beautiful facility here honoring all the work that the Obamas did, but that all of us did together. We're so grateful for this opportunity.
We have got some more amazing Chicagoans to come to the stage. Please welcome this incredible choir, Uniting Voices Chicago.
(CHEERING)
(MUSIC)
[13:20:00]
(MUSIC)
ANNOUNCER: The Girls Opportunity Alliance helped her reach for her dreams. Growing up just down the block, this aspiring filmmaker is now shaping the stories of tomorrow. Welcome Ms. Addison Belhomme.
(MUSIC)
ADDISON BELHOMME, GIRLS OPPORTUNITY ALLIANCE: Good afternoon, everyone.
AUDIENCE: Good afternoon.
BELHOMME: My name is Addison Belhomme. I'm a film director, a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
(CHEERING)
BELHOMME: And, most importantly, I was born and raised right here on the South Side of Chicago.
(CHEERING)
BELHOMME: Being here today as a presenter at the Obama Presidential Center is a tremendous honor. Standing on this stage feels a bit like deja vu. My mind goes back to my sophomore year at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Englewood.
I was sitting at lunch when I received an e-mail from the Girls Opportunity Alliance inviting me to travel to New York City to speak out of luncheon with Mrs. Obama. For a 15-year-old girl from Chicago, that opportunity was transformational.
It showed me that my voice mattered and that my dreams were worth pursuing. First lady Michelle Obama is living proof that, when you're a black girl from the South Side of Chicago, there is no limit to what you can achieve.
(CHEERING)
BELHOMME: Raised in South Shore and educated at Whitney Young High School...
(CHEERING)
BELHOMME: ... Mrs. Obama's story began in the same city that shaped me. Throughout her life, she has remained deeply committed to uplifting communities like the ones that raised her.
Over the past five years, I have driven past this site on Stony Island countless times, on my way to school, to visit friends and family. I felt a sense of excitement and possibility knowing the impact this center would have on my community.
At the Girls Opportunity Alliance luncheon in 2022, I spoke about how violence in my neighborhood sometimes limited the freedom that many children take for granted. But, today, because of spaces like this one, generations of young people on the South Side will have greater access to education, opportunity, community, and inspiration. [13:25:15]
(CHEERING)
BELHOMME: This center stands as a reminder that our neighborhoods are worthy of investment,our stories are worthy of being told, and our young people are worthy of every opportunity to dream bigger.
(CHEERING)
BELHOMME: Now I have the extraordinary privilege of standing before you as I introduce a woman who took a chance on me, inspired me to dream bigger, and has been a constant source of inspiration in my life.
Please join me in welcoming the one and only first lady Michelle Obama.
B. OBAMA: Hey!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(MUSIC)
MICHELLE OBAMA, FORMER FIRST LADY: Oh.
(CHEERING)
M. OBAMA: Well, my goodness.
(APPLAUSE)
M. OBAMA: I got my tissue in hand. I don't know about all of you. Wow.
Hello, everyone. And what a beautiful day, right? Nothing like a project by my husband to bring out the sun.
(LAUGHTER)
M. OBAMA: Let me start by thanking Addison for that magnificent introduction and for exemplifying the heart, excellence and determination that has blossomed right here on the South Side for a very long time.
I also want to send some love to everyone who made this day a reality, the construction workers, landscapers, designers, the architects, artists, chefs, our staff, our board members, our donors.
(CHEERING)
M. OBAMA: Barack and I simply cannot thank you enough for the care and brilliance you poured into every square inch of this campus. I also want to recognize all of the elected officials and
distinguished leaders from around the city, the state, the country, and, yes, the world. Thank you for being here to celebrate with us...
(APPLAUSE)
M. OBAMA: ... especially to all of my fellow formers, to Joe and Jill, George and Laura, Bill and Hillary. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country over so many years...
(APPLAUSE)
M. OBAMA: ... and for your constant friendship and support of our family. We love you guys truly.
Oh, to our daughters, Malia and Sasha, who will always be my babies.
(CHEERING)
M. OBAMA: Even though we're no longer playing hide and seek on the South Lawn with Bo or hosting sleepovers in the Solarium -- I see a lot of some sleepover girls here.
You both have grown into such brilliant and beautiful young women, making your way out there in the world.
(CHEERING)
M. OBAMA: Thank you for bringing so much joy and spirit and energy to a life you had no voice in choosing, and for making us proud every step of the way.
Love you, babies.
(CHEERING)
M. OBAMA: Oh, so please indulge me for a moment, because I'm going to take a little time to do something that I know my husband will not do today, and that is to fully sing his praises.
(CHEERING)
M. OBAMA: Barack, you got to look at me.
B. OBAMA: Yes. No, I know.
(LAUGHTER)
B. OBAMA: (OFF-MIKE)
M. OBAMA: You told me all those years ago that you couldn't promise me the world, but you could promise me an interesting life. And, of course, you outdid yourself and managed to give me both.
I know it hasn't always been easy, but there hasn't been a single second through this experience that standing by your side hasn't left me in awe. Eight years in the crucible, and not once did you melt from the heat. Not once did you let it harden you.
(CHEERING)
M. OBAMA: Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence, your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage, your dazzling brilliance and unpretentious decency, your ferocious work ethic, and absolutely unshakable moral fiber.
