Scenes From The Obama Centerβs Opening Celebration
π° Block Club Chicago
π June 18, 2026 at 8:05 PM
WOODLAWN βFormer President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama joined thousands of supporters Thursday to celebrate the Obama Presidential Centerβs opening in Jackson Park.
The center, at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave. in Woodlawn, launched its opening weekend β which coincides with the Juneteenth national holiday β with a star-studded ceremony and accompanying watch party on the South Side.
Here are some scenes from the day, captured by Block Club Chicagoβs Director of Photography Colin Boyle and Photo Intern Zoey Duchene.
The Obama family react as Stevie Wonder performs during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoFormer President Barack Obama speaks at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoFormer Vice President Kamala Harris and Former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff wave as they exit from the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoMalia and Sasha Obama laugh together at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoOprah Winfrey interacts with California Governor Gavin Newsom during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoFormer President Joe Biden smiles at the audience at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoThe Obama Presidential Center looms behind during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoJohn Legend and Common perform at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoFormer President Barack Obama speaks during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoMalia Obama and Former First Lady Michelle Obama sing together to Stevie Wonder at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoMayor Brandon Johnson takes a selfie during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoStephen Colbert meets with others at the opening of the Obama Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoFormer First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoBono hugs Former Chancellor Of Germany Angela Merkel at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoThe Obama family reacts as Bruce Springsteen performs during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoThe Obama family dances to the music at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoJustin Trudeau, former Prime Minister of Canada, arrives during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoFormer President Barack Obama and Former First Lady Michelle Obama hug Stevie Wonder at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoBono and The Edge of U2 perform during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoConan OβBrien poses for a photo at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoBono shakes hands with Former Vice President Kamala Harris during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoQuinta Brunson attends the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoCommon sings with John Legend and Uniting Voices Chicago during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoAttendees listen to Former President Barack Obama speak at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoFormer Mayor Lori Lightfoot and former First Lady Amy Eshleman during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoNancy Pelosi attends the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoFormer President Barack Obama embraces Former First Lady Michelle Obama after she speaks during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoFormer President Joe Biden and Former First Lady Jill Biden appear at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Woodlawn. Credit: Zoey Duchene/Block Club ChicagoChristina Aguilera performs during the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Woodlawn on June 18, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
