Former President Barack Obama speaks at University of Chicago

Monday, April 24, 2017
CHICAGO -- Former President Barack Obama shared his message with young people in Chicago Monday. The discussion took part at the University of Chicago.
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Monday is the second and final day of Obama's trip and it has been packed full of events. He will travel from his home in the city's Kenwood neighborhood to the university where he used to teach for the event.

Obama will be joined by a group of young leaders at the Logan Center for the Arts to hold a conversation about civic engagement.

The discussion Monday is ticketed and by invitation-only. Only 300 tickets were given out to students from different schools across the Chicago area.

"I preach in my school that we are the next generation to change the world for the better and I have to practice what I preach because of that and he is somebody I look up to all the time," said Samir Hassan of Harold Washington College.

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"He taught I think what I like to say is little brown girls like me that you know we can have a dream and you can be a certain color and certain race a certain gender and still have big dreams and aspirations," said Athena Guizar, a Harold Washington College student.



A spokesperson said the event is part of Obama's post-presidency goal to encourage and support the next generation of leaders here and around the world. Meanwhile, his presidential library will be housed close to campus.
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The former president's connection to the school is a point of pride for many students.

"I won't get to see him because it's invite-only, but it's exciting that he's back here and it's nice to have a connection with the president," said Sara Durango, who attends the University of Chicago.

Sunday night, Mr. Obama was at a fundraiser for his future library and before that he spoke privately to a group of young people about gang violence, job skills and employment.

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