On Tuesday, some young Chicago musicians got a surprise visit — one they’ll likely talk about for years and years.
About 15 kids in the “Guitars Over Guns” afterschool program were in a scheduled session to write and record a song and then discuss marketing strategies. That’s when a familiar face, known the world over, popped in at their Bronzeville studio for a surprise — former President Barack Obama.
He stopped by the afterschool program, which offers no-cost music instruction, academic support, mentorship and mental health programs to young people in Chicago. The program received a grant from the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. This Obama Foundation program addresses opportunity gaps boys and young men of color face and helps all young people reach their full potential.
According to a release, Mr. Obama was there to learn more about how the “Guitars Over Guns” program “is working to reduce violence in the community by creating spaces and programming where boys and young men of color can safely learn, play, and engage.”
Judging from the participants’ reactions, the 44th President remains a rock star.
Today I got to hear from @GuitarsOverGuns—one of @MBK_Alliance’s Freedom Summer ‘22 recipients—about how they’re working to support young people on the South Side of Chicago.
When the Obama Presidential Center opens, it will offer spaces and programming just like this.
Thanks… pic.twitter.com/dHwx8usnzX
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 10, 2023
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