The Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Museum (AAHM) will host the grand opening of its President Obama exhibit on February 9, 2019. The exhibit will be open for viewing beginning at 10 am and the program begins at 5:30 p.m.

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the first African American President in US history. He began his political career in the Illinois legislature, then a US Senator from Illinois, and launched his successful campaign for the presidency on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield.  

Hailed as one of the greatest presidential orators in modern history, Obama has a knack for public speaking even his political opponents can recognize.  There are many excellent statements by Obama we can quote but here is one. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

Nia Odeoti-Hassan and Beverly Helm-Renfrow worked with then Congressman Obama in the Illinois Legislature.  They will speak to that experience. Others will speak to “Reflections on President Obama” and a portion of one of his most famous speeches will be played.

About AAHM: The Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Museum exhibits, identifies, collects, catalogs, restores, houses and maintains documents and artifacts relating to and chronicling the history and legacy of African Americans in Central Illinois. The Museum provides research opportunities, educational programming and interpretive services to historians, educators, students and others interested in the lives and legacies of African Americans in Central Illinois while enhancing their overall knowledge about African American people.