Former U.S. President Barack Obama used the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago to deliver a deeply personal and reflective speech that blended memories of his early years as a community organizer with a passionate defence of democracy, citizenship and public service.

Speaking before a star-studded audience that included political leaders, international dignitaries and entertainers such as Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and John Legend, Obama described the centre not as a monument to himself but as a living tribute to the people and communities that shaped his life and career.

Obama recalled arriving in Chicago in 1985 as a 23-year-old community organizer with little experience, few connections and a strong desire to make a difference. He spoke about working with churches and residents on the city’s South Side, learning firsthand about the struggles, resilience and aspirations of ordinary people. Those experiences, he said, taught him that leadership is not about titles or status but about helping others find their voice and realizing that everyone has a story worth hearing.

The former president emphasized that Chicago was where he found his purpose, built lifelong friendships and met his wife, Michelle Obama. He noted that the city witnessed many of the defining moments of his life, from raising his family to launching his political career. For that reason, he said, the presidential centre could never have been located anywhere else.

Obama explained that the centre was intentionally designed to be more than a traditional presidential library. Rather than a static museum, it is meant to be a vibrant gathering place where people can learn, create, celebrate culture and strengthen the bonds that hold communities together. Art, music, sports and public engagement are all part of the vision.

A major theme of the speech was the importance of democracy. Obama reflected on the American experiment in self-government, describing it as a radical idea when the nation was founded nearly 250 years ago. While acknowledging the failures and injustices that marked the country’s early history, including slavery and restricted voting rights, he praised generations of Americans who worked to expand freedom and equality through activism, civic participation and public service.

He highlighted core democratic values such as equality before the law, an independent judiciary, a free press, respect for elections and the peaceful transfer of power. These principles, he argued, are not partisan values but American values that transcend political differences.

Obama also addressed contemporary challenges, including political polarization, misinformation, social division and the disruptive impact of rapidly changing technology. He warned against cynicism and urged citizens not to lose faith in democratic institutions or in one another. Democracy, he said, depends on people believing that their voices matter and that collective action can still produce meaningful change.

Despite acknowledging uncertainty and division, Obama struck an optimistic tone. He pointed to examples of communities solving problems, neighbours helping one another and young leaders working to improve society. He said the centre would focus heavily on supporting and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

Closing with the famous observation that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,” Obama called on visitors to embrace hope, reject despair and continue the work of building a more inclusive and democratic society. The presidential centre, he said, is ultimately about empowering future generations to write the next chapter of the American story.

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