President Obama believes that change starts with you

The President has always believed that the best ideas don’t just come from Washington. They come from individuals and communities all across the country. They come from people like you. To bring about real, lasting change the President needs you to stay engaged, share your stories, and add your voice to help address the challenges of the 21st century so we can win the future.

Office of Public Engagement
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Latest News

  • HUD Plays Major Role in the White House Community Partnership Summit

    Posted by Joseph Phillips on February 16, 2012 at 2:21 PM EDT

    Ed. Note: This piece is cross-posted from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's official website.

    Over 500 partners and 50 local, regional and national agencies rolled up their sleeves and went to work on February 10th, as they collaboratively met to learn more about the new White House Housing Plan and Mortgage Settlement and to tackle their specific issues as part of the White House Community Partnership Summit in Atlanta. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the General Services Administration along with Human and Health Services worked together along with other agencies to make the summit at the Martin Luther King Federal Building possible. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan addressed attendees and brought them up to date on the overall and unprecedented $25 billion mortgage settlement via video conference. Congressman John Lewis got the attendees going with his inspired remarks about working together with an outstanding Administration that wants everyone to succeed.

    Ed Jennings, Jr. at White House Community Partnership Summit in Atlanta

    Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. speaks at the White House Community Partnership Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. February 10, 2012. (by the Department of Housing and Urban Development)

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  • Uncovering the American Latino Story

    Posted by Ken Salazar on February 14, 2012 at 8:35 PM EDT

    Throughout our complex history, one aspect has always remained clear and consistent - there are many faces of America. As a country of immigrants, this diversity has and will continue to lend great strength to our nation. However, we must not forget that a strong America is one that is inclusive as well as diverse.

    Having lived here for 400 years, Latinos are a critical part of our nation's fabric. Although 50 million Latinos currently live in the United States, the story of their contributions and rich cultural heritage has fallen through the cracks as we have written history books for our children, formed our national monuments and parks, and, in many ways, developed a national identity for the future of America. The National Park Service - the part of our government charged with protecting sites of national historic, cultural or ecological value - can and should play a major role in recognizing the important history and culture of American Latinos.

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  • First Lady and Dr. Biden Celebrate Tuskegee Airmen with “Red Tails” Screening

    Posted by Heather Foster on February 14, 2012 at 7:27 PM EDT

    The First Lady and Dr. Biden attend "Red Tails" Screening

    First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden address the audience at a screening of "Red Tails". (Photo by Office of Public Engagement)

    In celebration of National African American History Month, the Office of Public Engagement hosted a screening of the movie “Red Tails.” The movie tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a crew of African- American pilots, who fought during World War II. This movie depicts the heroism and perseverance of the Tuskegee airmen and was most appropriate to show this month as the White House highlights the achievements of African Americans.

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  • Commitments to the LGBT community in the 2013 Budget

    Posted by Francesca L. de Quesada on February 14, 2012 at 11:17 AM EDT

    President Obama laid out a blueprint in his State of the Union address for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.  The President released a budget that illustrates how we put that blueprint to work for all Americans, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans.  

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  • Helping People with Disabilities and the 2013 Budget

    Posted by Francesca L. de Quesada on February 14, 2012 at 11:08 AM EDT

    President Obama laid out a blueprint  in his State of the Union address for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.  The President released a budget that illustrates how we put that blueprint to work. 

    Yesterday in his message to Congress, the President explained that we are in a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get there. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure. It is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

    To expand opportunities for people with disabilities, the 2013 Budget will:

    • Increase Funding for the Education of Children with Disabilities.
    • Encourage Workforce Innovation to Improve Outcomes for People with Disabilities.
    • Support Workers with Disabilities.
    • Reduce Social Security Appeals Hearing Backlog.
    • Support Disability Research.
    • Strengthen Anti-Discrimination Enforcement.
    • Provide Housing for Persons with Disabilities.
    • Expand Passenger Rail Options.
    • Support the Medical Needs of Veterans.
    • Improve Effectiveness of Disability Programs.
    • Support the Rights of People with Disabilities Internationally

     Read more about how the President’s 2013 budget will work to help people with disabilities: HERE.

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  • Expanded Access to College and the 2013 Budget

    Posted by Francesca L. de Quesada on February 14, 2012 at 11:05 AM EDT

    President Obama laid out a blueprint in his State of the Union address for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.  The President released a budget that illustrates how we put that blueprint to work.  

    Yesterday in his message to Congress, the President explained that we are in a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get there. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure. It is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

    The Administration firmly believes that education cannot be a luxury – it is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford. To support this commitment, the 2013 Budget will:

    • Expand Access to College Through Pell Grants
    • Reform Federal Campus-Based Aid Programs
    • Create a Race to the Top: College Affordability and Completion
    • Launch a First in the World competition to model innovation and quality on college campus
    • Help Students and Their Families Pay for College
    • Suspend an Increase in Student Loan Interest Rates
    • Bring Competition to and Encourage New Approaches for Job Training
    • Improve Access to Higher Education for Students from Minority Backgrounds
    • Invest in Community Colleges
    • Expand Opportunities for Students in Math, Science, and Engineering
    • Recruit and Prepare Talented Individuals as Effective Teachers

    Read more about how the President’s 2013 budget will help ensure expanded access to college: HERE.

  • Education and the 2013 Budget

    Posted by Francesca L. de Quesada on February 14, 2012 at 11:03 AM EDT

    President Obama laid out a blueprint in his State of the Union address for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.  The President released a budget that illustrates how we put that blueprint to work.  

    Yesterday in his message to Congress, the President explained that we are in a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get there. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure. It is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

    Education is the key to our continued economic security. In order to ensure that every child has access to a world-class education, the 2013 Budget will:

    • Support High-Quality Early Childhood Programs
    • Invest in the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers
    • Encourage Innovation and Support Success in Education
    • Reform Elementary and Secondary School Education
    • Grant Flexibility in Exchange for Smart Reforms
    • Drive Comprehensive State and District-Level Education Improvement
    • Eliminate and Consolidate Narrow Education Programs
    • Attract, Prepare, Support, and Reward Great Teachers
    • Prepare Students for College
    • Increase Funding for the Education of Children with Disabilities

    Read more about how the President’s 2013 budget will help ensure access to education: HERE.

  • African Americans and the 2013 Budget

    Posted by Francesca L. de Quesada on February 14, 2012 at 11:01 AM EDT

    President Obama laid out a blueprint in his State of the Union address for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.  The President released a budget that illustrates how we put that blueprint to work.  

    Yesterday in his message to Congress, the President explained that we are in a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get there. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure. It is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

    To construct an economy that is built to last and provide security for African American families, the 2013 Budget will:

    • Strengthen Anti-Discrimination Enforcement.
    • Improve Higher Education for Students from Minority Backgrounds.
    • Support Minority Businesses.
    • Take Immediate Action to Support Growth and Job Creation.
    • Spur Job Creation through Infrastructure Investment.
    • Give Every American a Fair Shot at Success by Improving and Reforming K-12 Education.
    • Expand Access to College.
    • Equip American Workers for Good-Paying Jobs Today and in the Future.
    • Preserve Affordable Rental Opportunities.
    • Promote Affordable Homeownership.
    • Support Responsible Homeowners and Help Them Stay in Their Homes.
    • Help States Provide Paid Family Leave to Workers.
    • Extend Expanded Tax Cuts for Lower-Income Families.
    • Prevent Hunger and Improve Nutrition.
    • Support Prisoner Re-entry Programs.
    • Continue Construction of National Museum of African American History and Culture.
    • Revitalize Distressed Urban Neighborhoods.
    • Invest in Regional and Community Planning Efforts for Sustainable Development.

    Read more about how the President’s 2013 budget will work to provide further opportunities for African American families: HERE.