"The through line ... through all of this is building our democracy," Executive Vice President of Programs Tina Tchen said.
The foundation began with global leaders, but, over 10 years, grew, with programs for graduate, undergraduate and high school students. The goal is to fortify a new generation of leaders.
"The leadership programs we are doing, trying to instill in a new generation of leaders the skills and the values they need to lead, that participation," Tchen said.
Valencia Pringle and Michael Cotey are the among the 1,800 Obama Leaders Program alumni.
Pringle leads a nonprofit in Auburn Gresham that helps prepare young people for college and beyond.
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"It really gave me a fresh perspective of not only the work I'm doing in Chicago but the work that's possible for me to do around the world," Pringle said.
Cotey helps survivors of gun violence share their stories with broader audiences.
"It's an opportunity to bring those stories to a population that hasn't experienced it and to pierce their indifference and their apathy," Cotey said.
They look toward touring the center, which will be a home base for not only the programs, but for program alumni.
"To have this center be a beacon for that and to have this network of leaders and scholars that we are all connected to one another now, that's what real change looks like," Cotey said.
"It represents hope; it represents joy. It represents being able to dream. For it opening in the summertime, it's the perfect to kick start summer," Pringle said.
Visit www.obama.org/programs for more information.