As part of the opening week celebrations for the Obama Presidential Center, former First Lady Michelle Obama and two-time Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artist Tems made a surprise appearance to inspire a group of young women attending a songwriting workshop in the center’s new, state-of-the-art Media Suite.
The June 16 workshop hosted 15 high school girls from After School Matters programs and organizations within the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance Network. Led by After School Matters teaching artist Me’Chelle Robinson (professionally known as Darkhoneeey), the session was designed to use songwriting as a vehicle for creative storytelling, self-discovery, and collaborative expression.
Empowerting the Next Generation of Creatives
During the session, participants collaborated in small groups to write original songs and poetry rooted in their personal experiences, focusing on building confidence, clarity, conviction, and connection.
Before the students presented their pieces, Tems surprised the room to share advice on navigating the creative industry. Reflecting on her own path as a self-taught artist from Lagos, she introduced the students to her Leading Vibe Initiative (LVI). Founded to help close the music industry’s gender gap, LVI provides workshops, mentorship, and resources to young women globally who are pursuing careers as singers, songwriters, producers, and creative executives. Tems urged the participants to trust their unique voices and view themselves as the future leaders of the creative world.
Following the student presentations, Michelle Obama joined Tems in a second surprise appearance to celebrate the young women’s work. Mrs. Obama listened to the original pieces and encouraged the attendees to continue leveraging their creativity and talents to shape the future. The event concluded with a group photograph in the Media Suite.
A Vision for Community Impact
The workshop offered a firsthand glimpse into the programming and opportunities the Obama Presidential Center aims to provide for Chicago youth. Through ongoing partnerships with local organizations like After School Matters and global initiatives like the Girls Opportunity Alliance, the Center is positioning itself as a permanent hub for creativity, civic leadership, and youth empowerment.
