The Obama Diary

President Obama greets a young guest during a reception celebrating African American History Month in the East Room today (Photo by Pete Souza)

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Virginia McLaurin - 106 and spry! #BlackHistoryMonth https://t.co/NmkmJ8aPsp

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Valerie Jarrett (@vj44) February 18, 2025

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@dougmillsnyt: Obama reacts after @NHLBlackhawks gave him a lifetime parking pass for the @UnitedCenter @chicagobulls @POTUS

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Pete Souza: A gift for the President from the Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Black Hawks, who were at the White House today. “This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten at the White House,” the President said, then joked, “I might sell this on eBay.”

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The meeting w/ @POTUS went well. It was originally scheduled for an hour & he extended it another 30 mins b/c of the robust convo.

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deray mckesson (@deray) February 18, 2025

.@POTUS was candid, thoughtful & both listened & responded to our questions and feedback today. It was a really good meeting.

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deray mckesson (@deray) February 19, 2025

In all, @POTUS only took questions from the younger activists. The mtg went over time as he responded, in full, to each of our questions.

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deray mckesson (@deray) February 19, 2025

Importantly, the press wasn't allowed into the meeting w/ @POTUS until the meeting ended. Today was about substance, it wasn't a photo op.

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deray mckesson (@deray) February 19, 2025

.@POTUS' last #BlackHistoryMonth Reception @WhiteHouse. Met @deray, congratulated him on running for mayor of Bmore. https://t.co/6NyQiadoNm

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Be A King (@BerniceKing) February 19, 2025

President Obama speaks about race relations while flanked by Brittany Packnett, Rep. John Lewis, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, and Rev Al Sharpton, in the Roosevelt Room

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Walking the Walk: If you can, donate to @Deray's Baltimore mayoral campaign here: crowdpac.com/campaigns/1577… https://t.co/6sRUc1bp0F

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TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) February 19, 2025

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PBO: "We know it's Black History Month when we hear someone say 'Heeeeeey Michelle - guuurl, you look so good'" :-) youtube.com/watch?v=fNp9tj…

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TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) February 18, 2025

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Extraordinary moment to see three generations of Dr. MLK Jr.'s family in the Oval today. #BlackHistoryMonth https://t.co/rtJimuJcMN

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Valerie Jarrett (@vj44) February 19, 2025

President Obama shows the bust of MLK to Martin Luther King III, his wife Arndrea, daughter Yolanda, and sister Bernice today in the Oval Office (Photo by Pete Souza)

4:40 EST: President Obama and the First Lady Host a Reception in Recognition of African American History Month

On This Day: President Barack Obama returns the salute from Tommie Okabayashi, one of the members of the group of Japanese American WWII veterans, during a meeting in the Oval Office to congratulate them on their Congressional Gold Medal, Feb. 18, 2014 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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Today

11:15: The President honors the 2015 NHL Champion Chicago Blackhawks, East Room

2:05: Meets with African American faith and civil rights leaders, The Roosevelt Room

4:40: Hosts a reception in recognition of African American History Month, East Room