what are the words on obama library

The words on the Obama library exterior come from Barack Obama’s 2015 Selma speech: “You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, because you’re ready to seize what ought to be...”

The full passage also includes lines about “We The People,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Yes We Can,” ending with the idea that “that word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone.”

What it says

• “You are America.”

• “We The People.”

• “We Shall Overcome.”

• “Yes We Can.”

Context

The quote was selected for the planned presidential library in Chicago and was revealed by the Obama Foundation in 2021. Recent coverage in June 2026 also refers to the site as the Obama Presidential Center, which is now open.

The exact wording can vary slightly in excerpts, but the core message is about collective responsibility and democratic ownership.