By Brock Morgan
Medill Reports
Thousands of visitors gathered in Chicago on Juneteenth to celebrate the grand opening of former President Barack Obama’s presidential library campus, marking the culmination of years of planning and creating a new cultural and educational destination on the city’s South Side.
The opening ceremony drew supporters, families and community members from across the region who came to explore the multi-acre campus. Alongside museum exhibits, attendees enjoyed cultural performances, arts activities, a playground and public gathering spaces. Staff members said the campus is designed to unify while serving as a hub for education, reflection and community engagement.
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BROCK MORGAN: After months of planning, anticipation and a star-studded opening ceremony, Barack Obama’s $850 million presidential library is officially ready for the public.
YOUNTS WATERS: I’ve always been a fan of Barack Obama, I voted for him twice, and I just couldn’t miss this event. I had to be here. It’s already been worth it. Just being right here in front of this building, I’ve already gotten everything that I want.
MORGAN: The campus was vibrant and inclusive, displaying music and dance from various cultures, in addition to arts and crafts for all ages.
CHRISTEN CARTER: This is, like, one of the most important things I feel like has happened in Chicago in a very long time. We are making buttons on the spot. We’re actually– people can draw their own buttons. They can see themselves in the logo and, like, really personalize something that– it’s them.
MORGAN: One staff member says the almost 20-acre campus can be described in three words.
GENORA STONE: Hope, love, and kindness, ‘cause it’s an experience to have. And when you walk in, you feel it. And when you leave out, I expect you to take the hope, love and kindness and spread it out amongst the communities, wherever they’re from.
MORGAN: The grand opening also served as a teaching opportunity for parents.
MELONEE BURGESS: I felt like it was important to bring her today, because this morning I was talking to her about what Juneteenth is and what it means, and she’s only 4 years old, so, you know, just trying to make it on a level that she understood. And so, it was very important we come out today.
MORGAN: Few were able to access the sold-out museum section of campus, but among those that were, some found it inspiring.
RITA TYSON: Talking about hope and the change and all of everything that still exists to this day because even though it may seem bleak, it may be cloudy or it may seem like it’s not hope, that hope is still ever present.
MORGAN: Nonticketed sections of the campus include a restaurant, picnic space and playground.
BURGESS: It looks beautiful. This playground is awesome. My daughter actually said, “This is the best playground I’ve ever seen,” when we were walking up, so we’re just excited to be able to experience what we can experience today.
MORGAN: I’m Brock Morgan in Chicago, Medill Reports.
Brock Morgan is a sports media specialization graduate student at Medill.