We have curated a digital and physical exhibition, Tucson Moments with President Obama, featuring photographs, video footage, and digitized newspaper articles documenting President Barack Obama’s visits to Tucson.

This exhibition was designed to preserve and share information, highlighting Tucson’s connection to two  pivotal moments in national history.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza – P120612PS-0463 (direct link) Official White House page direct link)

During his presidency and afterward, Tucson became part of his and our national story. President Obama visited the ole Pueblo during two very different moments—one during a time of deep tragedy and another during a moment of democratic engagement.

History sometimes arrives in moments of great joy—and sometimes in moments of deep sorrow. In Tucson, we experienced both during 2 separate visits from the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. 

Just a few years after he was elected, On January 8, 2011, a mass shooting occurred at a community event at a Safeway shopping center on Oracle. It was hosted by Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Six people lost their lives that day and many others were injured, leaving the Tucson community—and the nation—grieving.

Four days later, on January 12, 2011, President Obama came to Tucson to join the community in mourning and reflection. Speaking at the “Together We Thrive: Tucson and America” memorial at the University of Arizona’s McKale Center, he honored the victims and comforted a grieving nation.

During the memorial, President Obama spoke about the lives of those lost—Judge John Roll, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schenck, Dorwan Stoddard, congressional aide Gabe Zimmerman, and nine-year-old Christina-Taylor Green.

He reminded the nation that even in times of heartbreak, compassion and unity can guide the way forward.

More than 30 million Americans watched the speech, which called for empathy, kindness, and a national conversation that heals rather than divides. In Tucson, his words helped bring a sense of comfort and strength during a difficult time.

The memorial became one of the most widely praised presidential speeches of the modern era—remembered for its message of unity, compassion, and healing.

President Obama’s words…and I quote: “We are reminded that in times of tragedy, the American people come together — not as Democrats or Republicans, but as neighbors and friends.” End quote.

Former President Barack Obama is a native son of our US Hawaiian Islands, raised by white grandparents, birthed by a white American mother, and the son of an African father…this man is truly an American.

He is a graduate of one the most prestigious schools in our country – Harvard – where there, he found his calling – a calling  he always knew he had – it was to help others and to be of service to his community.

Moving forward in his life Barack Obama became a young senator of Illinois and spoke at the 2004 Democratic Convention – the speech was entitled, “The Audacity of Hope” this speech resonated with the American people so much that it propelled him into national prominence.  

The speech was about uniting our country and not separating us as republicans and democrats, but speaking to all of us as Americans.

This amazing speech was so inspiring that people wanted to know more about this man who was so eloquent and motivating.  So, he penned a book with the same title – The Audacity of Hope.

This book made the New York best seller list and made him once again a nationally recognized speaker and a political force in our country.

With so much support from people all over the country and the world but most of all from his family he knew it was his time to answer the call to serve…So Senator Barack Obama, ran for President of the United States of America.

He didn’t just run.. he won!

In 2008, Americans elected Barack Obama as the first African American President of the United States. His campaign message of hope, unity, and civic participation energized millions of voters across the nation. For many communities, including Tucson, his presidency represented a historic step forward and a reminder that the promise of democracy continues to evolve.

Oh…Yes we can…and Yes, we did!

By the way, This Former President is not done.  His library “ the Obama Center” will be opening in Chicago the summer of 2026.  I am sure there is no other one like it.