Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama will oversee the groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center next week, according to a new video from the former first couple, beginning one of the final steps in the delayed process.

The Obamas, joined by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, will attend a small ceremony to mark the groundbreaking on the presidential library on Tuesday in the Jackson Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, an Obama spokeswoman said. The event will be live-streamed.

"Michelle and I could not be more excited to break ground on the Obama President Center in the community that we love," Obama said in the video.

On Monday, the night before the official groundbreaking, Obama will invite alumni from his presidential campaigns and administration for a live-streamed conversation hosted by David Plouffe, Obama's former campaign manager, and Valerie Jarrett, his longtime adviser.

Last edited by Spunky (9/26/2021 10:14 am)