Former President Obama surprises WNBA event attendees
Former President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance at the third annual WNBA Changemaker Day on Friday morning, held at the recently opened Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. He addressed nearly 100 high school freshman girls, including London Harris, 14, and Aliyah Myles, 14, who were among the students present. The event focused on themes of perseverance and dreaming big, with Obama sharing insights from his own experiences as a father.
During his address, Obama spoke to the girls about the complexities of the modern world and the pressures faced by young women. He encouraged them to embrace their confidence and capacity to achieve their dreams, emphasizing the importance of hard work. He also advised the students to seek guidance and find mentors who can help them navigate possibilities beyond their immediate experiences. The former president engaged with the attendees, shaking hands and taking a selfie before his departure.
The Changemaker Day event commenced just before 10 a.m. with remarks from WNBA brand strategist Nina Kossoff. She highlighted the collective power of women coming together to create change. The day also featured a panel discussion with notable figures such as ESPN Journalist Ari Chambers, Nike chief diversity officer Kizmet Mills, former Chicago Sky player and Obama Foundation manager Linnae Harper, and WNBA chief growth officer Colie Edison. The panel discussed the theme of “Finding My Superpower,” with Harper noting that her personal superpower involves connecting people with resources to help them achieve their goals. Panelists also shared how they overcame setbacks in their careers.
WNBA All-Stars visit Presidential Center
In addition to the high school students, WNBA All-Stars also visited the Obama Presidential Center. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, along with teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, were among the players who met with Obama. Clark described her conversation with the former president as “super cool,” noting they bonded over navigating heightened media exposure throughout their careers. Obama reportedly complimented Clark on how she handles her public life, remarking on the difference between becoming famous in his 40s versus her 20s. Clark expressed that the exchange was a moment she would likely remember for the rest of her life.
The WNBA All-Stars were in Chicago for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, with activities taking place across the city. The players engaged in practice sessions on the regulation-size basketball court at the Obama Presidential Center. Obama expressed his pride in the WNBA, congratulating the players on their achievements. The city of Chicago is hosting the WNBA All-Star Game for the second time, with the main event scheduled for Saturday at the United Center.
All-Star Weekend activities in Chicago
The WNBA All-Star Weekend includes a variety of fan-focused events. WNBA Live, an interactive festival, is being held at McCormick Place, offering fans opportunities for photo opportunities, customized merchandise, and basketball activities. Amanda Allhouse, WNBA senior director, highlighted the diverse range of activities available for fans. The weekend also features Skills Night at Wintrust Arena, which includes the WNBA Shooting Stars and WNBA 3-Point Contest. These events are part of the WNBA’s 30th season celebration.
The All-Star Game itself will showcase some of the league’s top talent. While no current Chicago Sky players were selected as starters, former Chicago Sky and current Atlanta Dream player Angel Reese was named an All-Star Reserve. Caitlin Clark was voted in as a starter for Team Spoon, which also includes A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston, and Jessica Shepard as starters. Team Coop starters include Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, and Gabby Williams. The WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at the United Center.
Source: chicago.suntimes.com