Something super cool is happening this June in Chicago… The Obama Presidential Center is opening and inside its museum is an interactive experience called Imagine Your Impact. A rotating series of stories from people working in communities across the world — and I’m one of them! Our work doesn’t always make the headlines, but we are moving things forward on the ground every day. I don’t really have adequate words to describe this journey, because it was unsolicited on my part. In fact, all of the changemakers featured in this Imagine Your Impact catalog had no idea until we got the call. Apparently, the Obama Presidential Center team had researched, identified, selected and recommended our names and stories to President Obama who personally approved the final selection before we were contacted for our interviews. lt was a humbling experience to be among a great group of changemakers from all walks of life, experiences, fields, affiliations, orientations, etc. It has been a humbling feeling to struggle through the usual imposter syndrome since I became involved in this project. Amidst all these conflicting feelings, one thing I know is that my heart is full of gratitude.
Our Story
I didn’t get here alone. My story is the same as all of my fellow Micronesians in the U.S. We all left the shores of our small Pacific Island nations of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau in search of an American education aided by this “special relationship” with the United States through the Compact of Free Association (COFA). Every person who showed up for the Micronesian immigrant, who spoke out on our behalf, or simply believed that all immigrant communities are worth fighting for, is a part of all of our story. It’s our story of building a network of Micronesian community leaders and experts to support organizations efforts to support the Micronesian diaspora.
Imagine Your Impact
Now, our story will be featured in this historic museum dedicated to the great impact of President Obama, the Changemaker In Chief. This experience is proof that community leadership is quietly and persistently changing the world. I am deeply grateful to be included among these changemaker stories, and I hope it moves you the way their stories have moved me.
Connecting Horizon
I believe that everyone can positively impact our world no matter who we are, where we live, or what we do. I hope that every college student I send globally or nationally to study abroad or away, every indigenous Micronesian whose life I may impact through my Pacific-focused projects, every colleague in higher education or in the diaspora through my various personal projects, and every social entrepreneur I meet along the way…all of them realize that together we can all make this world a better place for ourselves and the next generations.
Finally, the Obama Presidential Center opens in June. If you are in Chicago, go experience it for yourself and explore how everyday people — like you and me — can create meaningful change in our world.
