Michelle Obama is a historic First Lady. As the first Black woman to ever hold the coveted title, the woman born Michelle LaVaughn Robinson in Chicago, IL, was put under a microscope almost from the moment her husband, President Barack Obama, took office. Fortunately, however, Mrs. Obama handled the newfound pressure with her trademark grace. “Being the first Black anything is gonna be hard,” she told Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America.” “I knew, as the first Black first lady, I couldn’t presume anything … I’d have to earn my grace.” Today, Michelle Obama has more than “earned her grace.” As AfroTech previously reported, she’s earned a $70 million net worth, inked a separate deal with Spotify for her own podcast, hosted voter drives to encourage young people to vote, and even got inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. And that’s just the beginning. But where Mrs. Obama really shines is in her ability to influence markets. More than just being a “pretty face” to look...

Former President Barack Obama is making headlines this week. According to Axios , the 44th president is planning a blow-out birthday bash at his home in Martha’s Vineyard, and is inviting all of his celebrity friends. Invitees include Steven Spielberg and the legendary rock band Pearl Jam. It goes without saying, of course, that there’s a certain contingent that believes this party is evidence of a global conspiracy by the “elites” to implant microchips. And it really goes without saying that they hate the fact that Obama isn’t sitting home stuffing his face with cold Big Macs the way another former president is currently doing. Obama, however, made clear that this will be an outdoor event, that guests are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and that Martha’s Vineyard is considered a “low-risk” area for coronavirus infection. But if that isn’t enough to make a certain contingent seethe, his net worth certainly will. And at least his is legitimate, and not plagued by...

Former first lady Michelle Obama leads this year’s class of National Women’s Hall of Fame inductees, which also includes NASA’s first Black woman engineer Katherine Johnson, according to CNN. As the first Black woman to serve as the first lady of the United States, the National Women’s Hall of Fame credits her as having “emerged as one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century,” according to a statement on the organization’s website. “Both in and out of the White House, Michelle Obama has accomplished her initiatives and so much more—becoming an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, international adolescent girls’ education,” it continues. Additionally, the organization shares that Obama has established herself as “a strong advocate for women and girls” in the U.S. and around the world. Over the years, Michelle Obama has established herself as an incredible leader and advocate among all, creating multiple advocacy...

Former First Lady, Michelle Obama continues to provide leadership despite being four years removed from the White House. Her most recent guidance comes in the form of a new podcast titled The Michelle Obama Podcast. According to CNN Politics , Obama will host the podcast and discuss topics related to meaningful relationships as well as conversations. Obama’s production company, Higher Ground, teamed up with music streaming giant, Spotify, to set the podcast in motion. “Hosted by Michelle Obama, the series will bring listeners the former First Lady’s most candid and personal conversations, showing us what’s possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to open up, and to focus on what matters most,” said Spotify in a news release . CNN reports the podcast’s guest lineup will include Obama’s mother and brother, Marian and Craig Robinson, Conan O’Brien, Valerie Jarrett, Michele Norris, and Dr. Sharon Malone. Obama’s vision for her new podcast is to spread the love in efforts to...

While kids around the world may be at-home practicing social distancing, Michelle Obama still wants to find a way to connect with them through her virtual reading series. The former First Lady is launching a new online children’s book reading series and hosting live sessions every Monday for the next four weeks. During “Mondays With Michelle Obama,” kids at home will have a chance to practice their reading and give parents a break. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) “As a little kid, I loved to read aloud. And when I became a parent, I found such joy in sharing the magic of storytelling with my own children—and then later, as First Lady, with kids everywhere,” Mrs. Obama shared in a press release via CBS News . Every Monday at noon Eastern Standard Time, Mrs. Obama will read a different popular children’s book live on PBS KIDS and Penguin Random House social media platforms. This virtual reading series is a part of Penguin Random House’s...

International Women’s Day made a huge splash on social media this year, but former First Lady Michelle Obama is taking it a step further to spotlight the next generation of young women. Obama shared yesterday that she will be starring in an upcoming YouTube special , Creators for Change on Girls’ Education, that will include discussions centered around the state of girls’ education around the world with YouTube creators Liza Koshy, Prajakta Koli, and Thembe Mahlaba. “As young leaders, you guys are going to be the change agents,” she tells the three creators in the trailer, which released on Sunday. She announced the exciting news via Instagram posting a photo of the four hosts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) According to People , the new special will take viewers to Vietnam, India, and Namibia, where the creators will visit programs supported by the Girls Opportunity Alliance . During the special, they will speak with young girls who are...

Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company — Higher Ground — just announced its latest partnership with Spotify to create a series of podcasts. The multi-year deal will be through Higher Ground Audio, an offshoot of the broader production company that focuses on podcasts. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to amplify voices that are too often ignored or silenced altogether, and through Spotify, we can share those stories with the world,” Michelle Obama said in a statement. Higher Ground was originally launched in 2018 with an initial partnership with Netflix that would create a number of films and series for the platform. The content would range from scripted and unscripted shows, documentaries and features with inspirational themes. The Obamas are now carrying their inspirational content over to Spotify with their newest deal. “We’ve always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation,” President Obama said in a statement. “We’re excited about...