Today Michelle Obama celebrates her last birthday as First Lady, and we're still not ready to say goodbye. FLOTUS' impact extends far beyond her official duties. She has been a source of inspiration for Black girls and women.
Poet Jasmine Mans captures our fondness for the "girl from the South Side" with a beautiful poem about her reach. For many, Mrs. Obama has a been a friend-in-our head, auntie-in-our-head, or, even, a mother-in-our-head. While we've tried to make it clear how deeply her presence and warmth have us. Listen to Mans capture the words we could not express.
We've got less than two weeks before Melania Trump becomes the First Lady of the United States, so many of us are spending this time loving up on Michelle Obama. The outpouring of gratitude has been incredible and the love fest continued on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
While a variety of people came to offer words of appreciation for Mrs. Obama, she and Fallon hid in the background. When they finished, she popped out to surprised each one. What happens next is heartwarming, and reminds us of just how sad we're going to be for the next four years.
In her final interview as First Lady, Michelle Obama sat down with Oprah to discuss her husband's legacy and the state of the nation. She tells the media mogul that she knows the President achieved his goal of bringing hope to the country because "now we're feeling what not having hope feels like."
She underscored the sincerity of the Barack Obama's uplifting message of "hope and change," and stressed it's importance in building a thriving society.
"Barack didn't just talk about hope because he though it as a nice slogan to get votes," she said "...what else do you have if you don't have hope?"
While Mrs. Obama did not directly address the Trump Administration in the clip, she alludes to the change coming to the White House, saying the country "will come to appreciate...having a grown-up in the White House who can say to you in times of crisis and turmoil, 'Hey, it's gonna be ok. Let's remember the good things that we have. Let's look at the future."
In the sit down, Mrs. Obama also addresses how she's been misrepresented as "angry" in the media. She says she's made peace with it by recognizing that she is more than the comments she encounters. "This isn't about me," she told Oprah. "This is about the people who write it."
First Lady Michelle Obama has had it with Donald Trump. During her latest stop on the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire, Mrs. Obama got personal as she excoriated Donald Trump's recently unearthed comments about women.
You could hear her voice shaking as spoke of the GOP's candidate. "I can't believe I'm saying a candidate for president of the United States has bragged about sexually assaulting women," Obama said.
"I've listened to this, and I feel it so personally," she said. "And I'm sure that many of you do, too -- particularly the women. The shameful comments about our bodies. The disrespect of our ambitions and intellect. The belief that you can do anything you want to a woman. That is cruel. It's frightening. And the truth is, it hurts."
"To dismiss this as everyday locker room talk is an insult to decent men everywhere," she said. "The men that you and I know don't treat women this way. They are loving fathers who are sickened by the thought of their daughters being exposed to this kind of vicious language about women."
Mrs. Obama has become an incredible orator during her time in the White House. That's why she's being hailed as Hillary Clinton's most capable surrogate.
Whenever we get to see the First Lady speak, it's a pleasure. Mrs. Obama seems to effortlessly strike the perfect balance of enthusiasm and warmth.
Her speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday was no exception. It was a repudiation of the nastiness that has beset the nearly eight years her husband has held in office and an endorsement of Hillary Clinton.
In Primetime, Mrs. Obama detailed the values she's instilled in her daughters to help them manage the conservative onslaught.
"Our motto is, when they go low, we go high," she said to thunderous applause.
Watch the video and read the full transcript below.
You know it's hard to believe that it has been eight years since I first came to this convention to talk with you about why I thought my husband should be president. Remember how I told you abut his character and conviction, his decency and his grace, the traits that we've seen every day since he served our country in the White House.
I also told you about our daughters, how they are the heart of our hearts, the center of our world, and during our time in the White House we had the joy of watching them grow from bubbly little girls into poised young women, a journey that started soon after we arrived in Washington, when they set off for the first day at their new school. I will never forget that winter morning as I watched our girls, just 7 and 10 years old, pile into those black SUVs with all those big men with guns. And I saw their little faces pressed up against the window, and the only thing i could think was “What have we done?”
See because at that moment, I realized that our time int he White House would form the foundation for who they would become, and how well we managed this experience could truly make or break them. That is what Barack and I think about every day as we try to guide and protect our girls through the challenges of this unusual life in the spotlight. How we urge them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith. How we insist that the hateful language that they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country. How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.
With every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us. We as parents are their most important role models. And let me tell you, Barack and I take that same approach to our job as president and first lady because we know that our words and actions matter, not just to our girls, but the children across this country. Kids who tell us, I saw you on TV, I wrote a report on you for school. Kids like the little black boy who looked up at my husband, his eyes wide with hope, and he wondered, “Is my hair like yours?”
And make no mistake about it, this November when we go to the polls, that is what we’re deciding. Not Democrat or Republican, not left or right. No, in this election, every election, it’s about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives.
And I am here tonight becasue in this election there is only one person I trust with that responsibility,only one person who I believe is truly qualified to be president of the United States, and that is our friend, Hillary Clinton. That's right.
See, I trust Hillary to lead this country becasue I've seen her lifelong devotion to our nation's children. Not just her own daughter, who she has raised to perfection, but every child who needs a champion. Kids who take the long way to school to avoid the gangs, kids who wonder how they'll ever afford college, kids whose parents don't speak a word of English but dream of a better life. Kids who look to us to determine who and what they can be.
You see, Hillary has spent decades doing the relentless, thankless work to actually make a difference in their lives. Advocating for kids with disabilities as a young lawyer, fighting for children's healthcare as first lady, and for quality childcare in the Senate. And when she didn't win the nomination eight years ago, she didn't get angry or disillusioned. Hillary did not pack up and go home, because as a true public servant, Hillary knows this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments.
So, she proudly stepped up to serve our country once again as secretary of state, traveling the globe to keep our kids safe. And look, there were plenty of moments when Hillary could have decided the work was too hard, that the price of public service was too high, that she was tired of being picked apart for how she looks, or how she talks, or even how she laughs.
But here's the thing. What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure. She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life.
And when I think about the kind of president that I want for my girls, and all of the children, that's what I want. I want someone with the proven strength to persevere. Someone who knows this job and takes it seriously. Someone who understands that the issues the president faces are not black and white and cannot be boiled down to 140 characters.
Look, because ... because when you have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military in your command, you can't make snap decisions. You can't have a thin skin or a tendency to lash out. You need to be steady and measured and well informed.
I want a president with a record of public service, someone whose life work shows us and shows our children that we don't chase fame and fortune for ourselves, we fight to give everyone a chance to succeed. And we give back, even when we're struggling ourselves, because we know that there's always someone worse off. And there but for the grace of God, go I.
I want a president who will teach our children that everyone in this country matters. A president who truly believes in the vision that our founders out forth all those years ago, that we are all created equal, each a beloved part of the great American story. And when a crisis hits, we don't turn against each other. No, we listen to each other, we lean on each other. Because we are always stronger together.
And I am here tonight because I know that that is the kind of president that Hillary Clinton will be. And that's why in this election, I'm with her.
You see, Hillary understands that the president is about one thing and one thing only. It's about leaving something better for our kids. That's how we've always moved this country forward, by all of us coming together on behalf of our children.
Folks who volunteer to coach that team, to teach that Sunday school class, because they know it takes a village. Heroes of every color and creed who wear the uniform and risk their lives to keep passing down those blessings of liberty. Police officers and protesters in Dallas who all desperately want to keep our children safe. People who lined up in Orlando to donate blood becasue it could have been their son, their daughter in that club. Leaders like Tim Kaine, who show our kids what decency and devotion look like.
Leaders like Hillary Clinton, who has the guts and the grace to keep coming back and putting those cracks in the highest and hardest glass ceiling until she finally breaks through, lifting all of us along with her.
That is the story of this country. The story that has brought mw to the stage tonight. The story of those generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today, I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves, and I watch my daughters, two beautiful and intelligent black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn.
And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters — and all of our sons and daughters — now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States.
So, look. So, don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on earth. And as my daughters prepare to set out into the world, I want a leader who is worthy of that truth. A leader who is worthy of my kids' promise and all kids' promise. A leader who will be guided every day by the love and hope of impossibly big dreams that we all have for our children. So in this election, we cannot sit back and hope that everything works out for the best. We cannot afford to be tired or frustrated or cynical.
No, hear me. Between now and November, we need to do what we did eight years ago and four years ago. We need to knock on every door. We need to get out every vote. We need to pour every last ounce of our passion and our strength and our love for this country into electing Hillary Clinton as president of the United States of America.
So let's get to work. Thank you all, and God bless.
There will never be another First Lady like Michelle Obama.
She's always giving us glimpses of Michelle LaVaugn Robinson from the south side of Chicago, and anyone who doesn't like it will have to stay mad.
Mrs. Obama joined late night host James Corden for another round of Carpool Karaoke.
Once she got into the car, Mrs. Obama sings along to "her favorite" Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, and Missy Elliott.
It was a delight to see Mrs. Obama really get into it while singing lyrics like Beyoncé's "Hold me tighter than my Dereon jeans" and Missy's "Copywritten so don't copy me."
Of course Mrs. Obama got in a plug for her Let Girls Learn Initiative. She's traveling around the world to promote the necessity of education for girls who've been marginalized. But if there's one thing the Obamas have show during their time in the White House, it's that you can have fun and do good work.
Michelle Obama gathered 5,000 women at the White House for the State of Women Summit this week. At the event, women leaders from around the country came together to discuss a variety of women's issues including health and education.
Toward the end of the day, the First Lady and Oprah Winfrey sat down for a candid discussion of advice they'd offer to young women.
The conversation began with Winfrey and the Mrs. Obama discussing the importance of knowing your worth. As the first Black woman to occupy her position, the First Lady has been the subject of lots of scrutiny. But she's gotten through it because she's the same Michelle LaVaugn Robinson Obama. "It takes taking the time to know who you are to deal with the onslaught of negative messages you're bound to get," she said.
She's thrived for eight years in the White House, she says, because she's always had a support system, that includes incredible men, around her.
Mrs. Obama went on to tell the audience that the only way to prove the haters wrong is to be excellent. "They'll remember what you do," she said.
Excellence is a subject she knows intimately. Mrs. Obama was raised middle class on the south side of Chicago and went on to graduate from Princeton College and Harvard Law School. Before the White House, she worked as Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of
Chicago.
Underestimated her entire life, the First Lady explained, "the best revenge is success and good work."
Throughout the conversation Michelle Obama and Oprah have a lot of fun. When they talk about her husband and the post-White House plans she's particularly loose.
The First Lady visited unsuspecting gardeners to check out their backyard and school gardens in an effort to highlight gardens across the country that are helping kids and families lead healthier lives.
106-Year-Old Virginia McLaurin is everything. Virginia McLaurin was born in 1909 in South Carolina and now lives in DC. She visited the White House to celebrate Black History month and was treated to a private audience with the President and First Lady.
Age hasn't stopped her a bit. As soon as the President appeared, Virginia greeted him with a big "Hi!" She, then, hustled over to the First Lady and a mini dance party ensued. The entire encounter was a joyful one.
We're with First Lady Michelle. We wanna be like Miss Virgina when we grow up.
Michelle Obama stopped by the Ellen Show to deliver a special message to her husband, Barack. The couple have been married for 23 years, but still keep the romance flowing. It's inspiring to see how the Obamas can still have fun with each other.
The ladies of The Real got a special treat when they got to sit down with the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. When the ladies asked her if she or her husband got better grades in high school, Mrs. Obama didn't hesitate in her response. "He will say it's not even close."
Mrs. Obama, who attended Princeton and Harvard Law School, got excellent grades. As for her husband, "He was a bum. And it took him a second because he had to grow up a little bit."
Even though he "screwed around in high school" as Mrs. Obama says," President Obama found focus a little later. He transferred to Columbia after his second year at Occidental College. He also went on to study at Harvard Law School.
She appeared on the show to promote her Reach Higher initiative which encourages students to complete some form of post-secondary education.
Tika Sumpter most known for her role in The Haves & The Have Nots is going to be featured as the most powerful black woman in the free world-Michelle Obama. The film chronicles the beginning of a friendship turned love story over the course of time that began with one hesitant date. The audience will have an opportunity to be inspired by a glimpse of the very private marriage held between the Obama's.
In addition to starring in this highly anticipated film, Mic reports Tika also worked as a producer for the project written and directed by Richard Tanne. You can see her alongside Parker Sawyers as President Barack Obama inSouth Side With You, debuting at the Sundance film festivalon January 21st.
Sofia Maame (Mah-May) is a Publicist + Editorial Assistant. Her goal is to use communications and social media for the advancement of diversity in the lifestyle, fashion and beauty industries. Follow her on Instagram-> @sofiamaame
It will be a very sad day when our amazing First Lady Michelle Obama leaves the White House. She recently appeared on the Late Show and discussed her post-White House plans with Stephen Colbert.
Michelle Obama was interviewed by Wale on Friday to promote her Reach Higher initiative, aimed at encouraging students to pursue higher education. In it, she makes a surprising revelation about her dream alternate career path.
The 2015 graduating class of King College Prep High School in Chicago's South Side received a touching commencement address from First Lady Michelle Obama Tuesday. The school was selected from about 200 that submitted videos for Obama's FAFSA Video Challenge after she was "blown away" by their creative Scandal inspired submission.
The end of May through June is always a wonderful time, as it's when many Black folks graduate with high school diplomas, as well with undergraduate and advanced degrees. It's always great to see our people pursuing their dreams and achieving greatness.
FLOTUS and POTUS have been having a bit of fun at each other's expense with a series of videos released to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the "Let's Move" campaign. This clip from the First Lady comes after a video released by the President on ways he stays active and healthy, in which he issues a joking challenge to his wife: "That's me. What about you?" She answered back in a big way!
by Michelle Denise Jackson