Michelle Obama

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Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is a lawyer, writer, and the wife of the 44th President, Barack Obama. She was the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Through her four main initiatives, she has become a role model for women and an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, and international adolescent girls education.

When people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate to say that first and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom.

But before she was a mother -- or a wife, lawyer, or public servant -- she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter.

The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons.

A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle Robinson studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met Barack Obama, the man who would become the love of her life.

After a few years, Mrs. Obama decided her true calling was working with people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.

In 1996, Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. As Associate Dean of Student Services, she developed the university's first community service program, and under her leadership as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed.

Mrs. Obama continued her efforts to support and inspire young people during her time as First Lady.

In 2010, she launched Let's Move!, bringing together community leaders, educators, medical professionals, parents, and others in a nationwide effort to address the challenge of childhood obesity. Let's Move! had an ambitious goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Whether it was providing healthier food in our schools, helping kids be more physically active, or urging companies to market healthier foods to our children, Let's Move! focused on giving parents the support they needed to make healthier choices for their kids.

In 2011, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden came together to launch Joining Forces, a nationwide initiative calling all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities. Joining Forces worked hand in hand with the public and private sector to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families had the tools they needed to succeed throughout their lives.

In 2014, Mrs. Obama launched the Reach Higher Initiative, an effort to inspire young people across America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. Reach Higher aimed to ensure that all students understood what they need to complete their education by working to expose students to college and career opportunities; helping them understand financial aid eligibility; encouraging academic planning and summer learning opportunities; and supporting high school counselors who do essential work to help students get into college.

In 2015, Mrs. Obama joined President Obama to launch Let Girls Learn, a U.S. government-wide initiative to help girls around the world go to school and stay in school. As part of this effort, Mrs. Obama called on countries across the globe to help educate and empower young women, and she shared the stories and struggles of these young women with young people here at home to inspire them to commit to their own education.

As First Lady, Mrs. Obama worked on the issues close to her heart -- supporting military families, helping children lead healthier lives, and encouraging all our young people to fulfill their boundless promise.

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Casey Likes & Salena Qureshi to Star in I AND YOU: A MUSICAL at McCarter Theatre Center

McCarter Theatre Center will present the workshop of its newest commission, I and You: A Musical, a musical adaptation of the acclaimed play by Lauren Gunderson. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Kamasi Washington Sets New Album 'Fearless Movement' For May Release

Kamasi Washington will release his new album Fearless Movement. A new song, “Prologue,” debuts alongside a video directed by longtime collaborator AG Rojas and choreographed by Samantha Blake Goodman. Additionally, Washington unveils plans for an extensive North American tour kicking off May 4 at New York's Beacon Theatre.

'The First Lady of the Highwaymen' Lecture Comes to the Arts Advocates Gallery

 In celebration of Women’s History Month, Arts Advocates will present “The First Lady of the Highwaymen,” a history lecture about the legacy of artist Mary Ann Carroll, on March 27, 2:00-4:30 p.m.

The Sum Of Us Banned Books Festival Returns to Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Featuring Author Heather McGhee

Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC) has announced that New York Times bestselling author Heather McGhee will be traveling to Dallas to attend BATC's banned books festival inspired by her book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone And How We Can Prosper Together. Learn more about the festival here!

Bear McCreary Unveils 'The Singularity'

On Wednesday, May 8, Image Comics will release the ambitious graphic novel companion to the album, created by McCreary with Mat Groom and produced by Black Market Narrative. The multiformat event begins with the premiere of the first single from the album, “Type III” (feat. Rufus Wainwright), available everywhere now.

Broadway Advocacy Coalition Reveals Class of Fellows For Fourth Annual Artivism Fellowship

Broadway Advocacy Coalition has revealed the 2024 fellows selected for  the fourth annual BAC Artivism Fellowship. Learn more about the fellows!

Find Out Who Won at the 2024 GRAMMYS - Full List of Winners!

Find out who won at the GRAMMYs. Notable winners include Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, SZA, Fred Again.., Shucked songwriter Brandy Clark, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Kylie Minogue, Billie Eilish for the Barbie soundtrack, and more.

Video: Watch DJ D-Nice on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW

DJ D-Nice discusses his friendship with Queen Latifah, virtual parties with Michelle Obama during the pandemic, and accidentally calling Jennifer Hudson the wrong name. Check out the interview video here!

VIDEO: Get a First Look at CONCERTO FOR TWO PIANOS: A World Premiere by Tiler Peck

As we celebrate The Evolution of NYCB's artistry this winter, audiences will bear witness to the evolution of an artist when Principal Dancer Tiler Peck presents CONCERTO FOR TWO PIANOS, her choreographic debut for the Company, on February 1.

Photos: New Look at Audra McDonald, Colman Domingo & More in RUSTIN; Now Streaming on Netflix

Directed by DGA Award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe and starring Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, Rustin also includes Audra McDonald, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Adrienne Warren, Michael Potts, CCH Pounder, and more. Check out new photos of the cast now!

Pentatonix Kicks Off Holiday Arena Tour Making Stops Coast to Coast

Pentatonix kicks off their highly anticipated 2023 North American Christmas tour, Pentatonix The Most Wonderful Tour Of The Year, at Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, CA. The tour will continue to roll through major markets coast to coast, concluding on December 21st in Austin, TX at Moody Center.

Jon Batiste Announces New Tour Dates; 'Uneasy Tour: Purifying the Airwaves for the People' to Kick Off in February 2024

Batiste’s first-ever headlining tour will kick off February 16 at the Schnitzer in Portland, OR, and visit intimate theaters across North America and Canada, including stops at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA; The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA; The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN; The Beacon Theatre in New York, and more.

Taylor Swift & More Nominated For 2024 GRAMMYS - Full List of Nominations!

Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and more were also nominated for GRAMMYS. Check out the full list of nominations now! Sweeney Todd, Parade, and more were nominated in the Best Musical Theatre Album category.

BWW Q&A: Darryn de Souza of Re-Imagined: A Theatre Concert at Brampton On Stage

Celebrate beautiful music from Broadway, while capturing the creativity,nconnection & musicality of wonderful stories on stage. Join Darryn de Souza for an evening of music, with bespoke arrangements, fresh takes, stories from the road, and heartfelt performances. With a soaring tenor voice, and decades of experiences & stories as a Touring Music Director, Darryn brings these skills together for an exciting evening of music. Hear songs from mega-musicals like “Les Miserables”, “Rent”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, as well as “Dear Evan Hansen”, “Aladdin”, “Godspell” and more.

MAESTRO, RUSTIN & More Nominated For 2023 Gotham Awards

The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced the nominations for the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards, singling out 20 feature films, 11 series, and 30 performances in ten award categories. The nominations were announced live from Cipriani Wall Street by Jeffrey Sharp, award-winning film producer and the Executive Director of The Gotham.

Pentatonix Drop New Holiday Album 'The Greatest Christmas Hits'

The album features 23 of the band's top holiday songs and eight brand new, never-before-heard tracks - including the cheerful holiday original, “Please Santa Please.” In tandem with the album’s release, Pentatonix are set to kick off their 2023 North American Christmas tour, Pentatonix The Most Wonderful Tour Of The Year this November.

44 - THE UNOFFICIAL, UNSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL Returns To The Bourbon Room Hollywood

'Experience the hilarious and satirical musical, 44 - THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL, as Joe Biden recalls the untold story of Obama's presidency. Don't miss this brilliant production at Bourbon Room Hollywood from Oct. 25 to Nov. 18, 2023.'

Interview: Michelle Elaine of POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE at STAGES

When I first moved to Houston in early 2021, theatre's across Houston began the slow process of reopening. One of the first productions featured an actress that I sorely wish I knew her incredible body of work before the pandemic. That actress, Michelle Elaine. Not only is she an exceptional actress but also one of the most amazing individuals in the Houston arts scene. When I found out she was cast in one of my favorite farces, short titled, POTUS, I was ecstatic and decided to interview this outstanding actress. 

Andy Grammer & Pentatonix Team Up on New Single 'Expensive'

It marks the first official collaboration between longtime friends Andy Grammer and 3x GRAMMY Award-winning multiplatinum a cappella phenomenon Pentatonix. He just recently spoke at the group’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony—and yet, little did the world know, this anthem was on the way!

2023 Gotham Awards to Present George C. Wolfe's RUSTIN With the Icon & Creator Tribute for Social Justice

Rustin celebrates the man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world and stars Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, with Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.

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