Grammy Award–winning Afrobeats sensation Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, recently joined former United States First Lady Michelle Obama at the newly inaugurated Media Suite of the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago.
During the engagement, Tems and Mrs. Obama held an interactive session with young, aspiring artists, focusing on themes of confidence, creativity, and self‑expression. The conversation highlighted the importance of embracing individuality and using art as a powerful tool for storytelling and social impact.
The meeting was part of a series of activities organized at the Centre’s creative hub in Jackson Park, which is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders and innovators. A video of the encounter was shared by Michelle Obama on her official X account on Monday, drawing widespread attention and praise from fans and cultural enthusiasts across the globe.
The Centre, which opened just days earlier during its June 18–21, 2026 launch events, includes a Media Suite designed to give young people access to tools for music production, podcasting and other creative training.
In her post accompanying the video, Michelle Obama wrote:
“Tems and I met with some aspiring artists at the Obama Presidential Centre’s new Media Suite! Barack and I hope this Media Suite will become a place where young people can find their voice, learn about music, and make beautiful art.”
Inside the session, Tems expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the participants, while also highlighting the importance of authenticity in building confidence as an artist.
“I got a chance to meet these beautiful, talented girls, and I’m so grateful to the Obama Centre and to Michelle Obama for inviting me,” she said.
Responding to a student’s question about stage confidence, Michelle Obama emphasised consistency and practice, noting that self-assurance is developed over time through experience.
Tems, in her own contribution, encouraged the young artists to embrace individuality and creative honesty. She said:
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“You have to do things that bring more of you out, like that, make you more authentic. That helps with confidence…. I really believe in what these guys are doing here, which is also why I started the Leading Vibe initiative, who supports young women in music in every way.”
Michelle Obama also told the participants that the Centre was created as a space for young people to explore their talents and find their voices, adding that she and former President Barack Obama envisioned it as a long-term creative hub.
Following the encounter, Tems took to X to describe the experience as inspiring, writing: “I’m so inspired by you, Mrs Obama and the incredible work you do. Thank you for inviting me for a truly wonderful and inspiring experience.”
The Obama Presidential Centre, founded by former U.S. President Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation, recently opened its campus that featured a star-studded opening ceremony with performances from Stevie Wonder, Tems, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and other global acts.
