Politics. On Point.

Today, in what could be seen as his first public forum since leaving office, President Obama reached out to young leaders during a civic engagement event at the University of Chicago to listen to thoughts and ideas on how youth can, and are, working to improve communities through engagement and opportunity. President Obama talks with youth during University of Chicago youth forum. ADVERTISEMENT CMB BUSINESS SOLUTIONS   The panel of youth who have forged ahead in their own lives to make positive differences talked about their own successes while providing ideas on how other youth can get involved to improve the quality of life and opportunity for today's youth. Samuel Figueroa a student from Roosevelt University shared the ideal of making “personal connections” to private situations. He said he believes in providing statistics to show where the need is in communities and said he likes to “connect the facts.” Figueroa also said that “listening” is key. “It’s ...

President Obama is making a historic visit to Africa this weekend, most notably to Kenya, the birthplace of his father. While there, the president gave remarks at a Power Africa Innovation Fair where he spoke to the successes of the Power Africa project. Said the president, "... our Power Africa initiative has been leveraging private capital to invest in electrification all across the continent.  And our preliminary goal was 10,000 megawatts; now we’re looking at 30,000 megawatts, and we’re well on our way. The president remarked on ways that his administration, along with several donors, are making this happen using  traditional power plants and solar produced energy. "Moreover, part of what’s taking place is because...you notice these solar panels, this is an opportunity for countries like Africa to leapfrog over dirty energy and immediately go to clean energy.  And so this mix of traditional products combined with these innovative ways of both pro...

Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced a  Correctional Education Guidance Package  aimed at helping states and local agencies strengthen the quality of education services provided to America’s estimated 60,000 young people in confinement every day. This guidance package builds on recommendations in the  My Brother’s Keeper Task Force report  released in May to “reform the juvenile and criminal justice systems to reduce unnecessary interactions for youth and to enforce the rights of incarcerated youth to a quality education.”  Today’s guidance package is a roadmap that states and local agencies can use to improve the quality of educational services for confined youth. “In this great country, all children deserve equal access to a high-quality public education - and this is no less true for children in the juvenile justice system,” said Attorney General Holder.  “At the Department of Justice, we are work...

Initiative named the Mandela Washington Fellowship For Young African Leaders from the White House ...the President will participate in a town hall with 500 exceptional young people who participated in the inaugural Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, an initiative he announced in 2013 as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). President Obama first launched YALI in 2010 to support an emerging generation of African leaders as they work to drive economic growth, enhance democratic governance, and strengthen the civil society structures that will help the continent grow and prosper.  The President announced the creation of this Fellowship, which connects young African leaders to leadership training opportunities at some of America’s top universities to expand their leadership skills and knowledge, during his 2013 trip to South Africa. President Obama speaking to young, future African leaders.    You can watch this event live at  h...

Creating structure and support for high-risk, young males. With the support of educators, faith-based groups, government, foundations, and various businesses, the president hopes to have their support to help guide, direct, and support young Black youth, by giving them the tools needed to succeed. Heavy hitters join the initiative. Leaders from Silicon Valley and the Emerson Collective plan to launch a $50 million competition to redesign high schools so that young people can learn in classrooms built for the 21st century. Also on board are US mayors, the National Congress of American Indians (who are going to do the same for young Native American boys and men), The College Board, AT&T, UBS, JPMorgan, City Foundation, and Discovery Communications, who the president says, "are making big commitments of their own to help young people like you get ahead."    With the National Basketball Association's Chris Paul (who introduced the president at the start of the...

The president spoke by telephone with the wife of Mandela, Mrs. Graça Machel, who remained by her husband's side in the hospital in Pretoria. Out of deference to Nelson Mandela’s peace and comfort and the family’s wishes, they did not visit the hospital where the 94 year old icon is still in critical condition. Instead, the Obamas met with the Mandela family at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa where he expressed his heartfelt support for the entire family. "It is my hope that Madiba draws peace and comfort from the time that he is spending with loved ones", said Obama. The president also reaffirmed the profound impact that  Nelson Mandela's legacy has had in building a free South Africa, and in inspiring people around the world. "Including me", the president said. "That's a legacy that we must all honor in our own lives, including this July on Mandela Day." Members of the Mandela family meeting with...

'Safer Communities, Brighter Futures' . First Lady Michelle Obama, in unison with her husband on the issues of gun violence and youth education, spoke at two events in her hometown of Chicago this week. Speaking on Wednesday at a joint luncheon meeting in Chicago hosted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel that included members of Chicago's leading civic organizations, Mrs. Obama urged Chicago¹s business leaders to invest in expanded opportunities for youth across Chicago¹s neighborhoods. The first lady reminded the assembled audience that one doesn't have to be born of wealth and privilege to be successful, as long as the community provides opportunities. "But thanks in part to this city, our lives were still rich with opportunities.  We had decent public schools.  I am a product of our public schools.  We attended the Chicago Park District summer camps.  Got a lot of ribbons from those camps I’m quite proud of.  Played basketball on city courts.  Our churc...

The Congressional Award Foundation has announced important dates for District youth who wish to become 2011 Congressional Award Gold Medalists. At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown is a member of the Congressional Award Foundation’s Board of Directors. He wants District residents to be more involved in the program and realize the life-long benefits of participating. The Congressional Award Foundation has announced important dates for District youth who wish to become 2011 Congressional Award Gold Medalists. At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown is a member of the Congressional Award Foundation’s Board of Directors. He wants District residents to be more involved in the program and realize the life-long benefits of participating. What is the Congressional Award ? The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and...

We Are The Future! With just two weeks to go until the 2010 school year begins, several students protested outside the John Wilson building on Monday in an effort to get Mayor Adrian Fenty to find money to continue this year's D.C. summer jobs program. The student-protesters said their summer jobs helped prepared them for life, taught them cooking skills, and about health. Student-protestors in front of the John A.Wilson Building want their summer jobs back. Photo/CD Brown . The students also became advocates of ridding their community of bad food and liquor stores and enhanced their want for more organic-like grocery stores like Harris Teeter. "[There aren't] too many grocery stores", said Donald Simon. "Just a lot of liquor stores and take out." Members of the group said that having a summer job afforded them the opportunity to buy their own school clothes. "Things that I didn't have last year, I have now", said Melody Wynn, fo...