Previous Champions
Kiwanis International
The White House honors 14 Kiwanis International members as Champions of Change for dedicating their time and effort to their communities across the country.
The American Red Cross
The White House honors Red Cross staff and volunteers for their work building resilient communities at home and abroad.
Education Champions
The White House and the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics honors educators who have devoted their time and efforts to working in communities, inspiring their students to excel and promoting the teaching profession by setting a strong example in the classroom.
School Turnaround Leaders
The White House honors state, district, and school leaders for their transformative efforts underway in struggling schools nationwide.
AmeriCorps Alums
The White House honors 12 AmeriCorps Alums as “Champions of Change.” These extraordinary leaders demonstrate how AmeriCorps alumni have leveraged their national service experience to become influential in their careers and leaders in their communities. Since 1994, more than 775,000 Americans have served in AmeriCorps, and more than 80,000 will serve this year.
PTA Leaders
The White House honors 12 parents as “Champions of Change.” These extraordinary parents have devoted their time and effort to their PTA chapters across the country and will have the opportunity to share their stories with Administration officials and PTA members across the country.
Transportation Innovators
The White House honors leaders who have devoted their time and efforts in developing innovative ways that transportation helps their community reach new heights. Transportation Innovators are individuals or organizations who have provided exemplary leadership in the growth and expansion of the transportation industry at the local, state or regional level.
Connecting the Americas
The White House, along with the U.S. State Department and U.S. AID, honor leaders who have exemplified extraordinary successes and efforts toward the development of – and diplomacy with – their countries or communities of origin.
LGBT Pride Month Video Challenge
The White House honors ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things across the country to ensure safety, dignity, and equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, as demonstrated by their inspiring video entries in the LGBT Pride Month Video Challenge.
Fight Against Youth Homelessness
The White House honors leaders who have made a significant difference in the way their communities combat homelessness among children and youth.
Community's Choice
The White House honors individuals who were nominated through the White House website by friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers as Champions of Change. These Champions were selected from a pool of more than 1500 candidates for the positive impact they are making in their communities and the communities they serve.
Head Start
The White House honors individuals from Head Start programs across the country who have demonstrated a commitment to delivering on the promise of Head Start in their local communities. Over 45 years after its inception, Head Start continues to serve as a national laboratory for how we think about educating and caring for our youngest, most vulnerable children.
Father's Day
The White House honors individuals who are working to promote responsible fatherhood that strengthens families and communities.
Vietnam Veterans
On Thursday, May 24th, the White House Office of Public Engagement honored eleven individuals within the veterans’ community, especially those who served in Vietnam, who are Champions of Change. These individuals have shown continued support for efforts to end veterans’ homelessness, boost veterans’ employment, treat problems with substance abuse, and develop treatment programs for those dealing with PTSD.
STEM Equality for Americans with Disabilities
The White House honors fourteen individuals as Champions of Change for leading the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math for people with disabilities in education and employment. These leaders are are proving that when the playing field is level, people with disabilities can excel in STEM, develop new products, create scientific inventions, open successful businesses, and contribute equally to the economic and educational future of our country.
Greening Our Cities and Towns
The White House honors nine individuals as Champions of Change who are using innovative approaches to promote energy efficiency, revitalize outdoor spaces and waterways, and adopt transportation solutions that conserve natural resources, improve walkability and improve other quality of life aspect of our towns and cities.
Rotary Day
The White House honors 10 U.S. Rotary club members from across the country as Champions of Change for their volunteer work to improve the lives of others. Rotary club members are grassroots volunteers and successful business leaders who want to give back to make the world a better place, and embody what being a Champion of Change is all about.
Innovators in Renewable Energy
The White House honors nine individuals as Champions of Change who are making a difference advancing new ideas that are leading the way to a clean energy future and an economy that’s built to last.
Corporate Environmental Sustainability
The White House honors seven local leaders as Champions of Change for their work demonstrating that corporate environmental leadership makes sense, both for business and for American communities.
"What's Your Story" Video Challenge Winners
In the Fall of 2011, the White House launched the “What’s your story?” video challenge. The challenge aimed to highlight the personal stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country who have impacted their community through their dreams, experiences, and dedication to a cause. The White House received over 200 videos and 35 essays. From these entrees, the nine inspiring leaders were chosen to represent their communities as part of White House’s Champions of Change program.
The Champions of Change represent the millions of Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders who are making a difference in their community, many of whom continue to make a difference without being formally recognized. The nine leaders and organizations have stood out as demonstrating exceptional leadership in civil rights, immigration, community empowerment, LGBT engagement, anti-bullying, health, and the arts. Their work has been an integral part ensuring that the underserved among them are given a voice.
Youth Violence Prevention
Twelve leaders are recognized as Champions of Change for their work to prevent youth violence within their communities as part of the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention. Launched at President Obama's direction in 2010, the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention is a network of communities and federal agencies working together to share information and build local capacity to prevent and reduce youth violence and keep our kids safe.
Cesar Chavez Legacy
The White House honors 10 local leaders who exemplify Cesar Chavez’s core values, including service to others, knowledge, innovation, acceptance of all people, and respect for life and the environment, and have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of others throughout their community and across the Nation.
Let's Move!
The White House honors local leaders who are inspiring and empowering America’s youth to lead active, healthy lifestyles. These individuals are all united around one goal: to get kids moving more. Each of them has developed or is implementing an effective model for making physical activity fun, accessible, and sustainable for young people in their communities. From P.E. teachers to local parks and recreation coordinators, and from doctors to volunteer coaches, this group represents the spectrum of physical activity leaders across the country.
Affordable Care Act
These local leaders are dedicated to improving access to health care. Each of them is working to help others in their community understand the impact and opportunities of President Obama's health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, which gives hardworking, middle-class families the security they deserve and forces insurance companies to play by the rules. Thanks to these Champions, Americans across the country are learning more about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and getting the health care they need.
Campus Challenge
The White House honors five young leaders as Champions of Change for outstanding leadership on their college campuses. Last fall, the White House announced the launch of the Campus Champions of Change Challenge. After reviewing a record number of entries, fifteen Challenge finalists were announced and the public chose the top five projects they think best embody the President’s goal to win the future. These five Campus Champions of Change will also have the opportunity to work with mtvU and MTV Act to create short features about their projects that will air on mtvU and be featured on MTV.com.
Leaders in Housing Counseling
On Thursday, March 1st, the White House honored eleven housing counselors and HUD-approved organizations as Champions of Change for their hard work, perseverance and dedication to their communities. From helping homeowners avoid foreclosure to making sure tenants understand their rights to working with borrowers to restore their credit, housing counselors work tremendously hard, each and every day, to help families realize the American dream. Watch the full event here.
Rebuilding America's Infrastructure
On Wednesday, February 15th, the White House honored local leaders for their work creating jobs in their communities and using innovative techniques to develop valuable projects helping to improve America’s infrastructure. With the assistance of grants and loans from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these leaders are helping to expand high-speed broadband, building roads and bridges, providing clean water and much more.
American Diaspora Communities
On Monday, January 30th, the White House honored 14 leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa as Champions of Change. These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the country, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges.
Catholic Education
On Wednesday, January 25th, the White House honored nine leaders in Catholic education from across the country as Champions of Change for their service to their communities and our nation. These extraordinary individuals have made a significant impact on the students, families, and educators through Catholic schools and universities throughout America. Their innovative ideas and dedication to students and to the wider community, demonstrate the strong commitment to ensuring that every child has an opportunity for greatness.
Disaster Preparedness
On Thursday, January 19th, sixteen local leaders who prepare their communities for disaster and build a more resilient nation were honored as Champions of Change. These men and women have demonstrated significant innovation and creativity in working to get their communities ready for the unexpected and embraced the approach of involving all members of their communities in emergency preparedness and response, reaching out to faith-based, tribal, non-profit, private sector and community-based organizations, as well as individual citizens.
In the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On Thursday, January 12th, eight local leaders who are following in the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. were honored at the White House as Champions of Change. These men and women, who include business and non-profit leaders and community volunteers, have each taken great strides to improve the lives of others through volunteerism and in providing economic opportunity to others in their community.
Giving Back to the Community
On Thursday, December 15th, ten local leaders who are helping to give back to their community were honored as Champions of Change. These men and women, who include non-profit leaders, community activists and mentors, have each taken great strides to improve the lives of others through charitable work, faith and advocacy. Watch video from the event to learn about how these Champions are making a difference in communities across the nation
Girls and Women in STEM
On Friday, December 9th, twelve local leaders in the effort to recruit and retain girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields were honored as White House Champions of Change. These men and women, who include teachers, industry leaders, students, and non-profit leaders, have each taken great strides to reduce the barriers that drive many girls and women to turn away from high-paying, highly rewarding careers as the Nation’s top innovators. Watch the video from the Champions of Change panel focused on how these Champions are helping to recruit and retain girls and women in STEM.
Native American Youth Leaders
In honor of the National Native American Heritage Month, the White House honored eleven Native American Youth leaders as Champions of Change. These young people are Champions in their tribes and communities as they work to improve the lives of those around them through innovative programs that help others, raise awareness of important issues like suicide and bullying prevention, energy efficiency and healthy eating. Watch the video from the Champions of Change discussion with White House and Administration officials which focused on the great work that these young people do every day
Joining Forces
In honor of Veterans Day, the White House recognized six individuals as Champions of Change who are committed to helping veterans and military families. These individuals represent organizations and businesses who are working to improve the lives of veterans and military families by providing vital services or jobs to veterans. Watch the video from the Champions of Change discussion with White House and Joining Forces officials which focused on how these individuals were able to provide such critical services and jobs to our veterans and military veterans.
Make It in America
The White House recognized individuals and businesses as Champions of Change who “Make it in America.” These Champions are being recognized for their work in helping to create high-quality jobs in the United States. These are the leaders this country needs, people who are working to build in America and create jobs in America. Watch the video from the Champions of Change panel focused on how these businesses and companies “Make it in America.”
Working to End Domestic Violence
One in four women and one in thirteen men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, these Champions of Change are being recognized for their efforts to end domestic violence in their communities. Watch the video from the Champions of Change panel on ending domestic violence.
Leaders in Closing the Justice Gap
Millions of people in the United States cannot get legal help that is often critical to their wellbeing and freedom. Fifty million Americans qualify for federally-funded civil legal aid, yet more than half of those who seek help are turned away due to lack of resources. In the criminal justice system, public defenders handle caseloads that far exceed recommended limits, jeopardizing their ability to provide representation that meets even constitutionally minimum standards. These Champions of Change are assisting people in need by dedicating their professional lives to closing the justice gap in America.
Fighting Against Breast Cancer
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, leaders in the fight to end breast cancer were honored as Champions of Change at the White House. The leaders included activists, scientists and health care providers who are making a difference in this fight every day. The discussion was led by Chief of Staff to the First Lady and Executive Director of the Council on Women and Girls, Tina Tchen, and it focused on the progress and challenges in the fight to end this devastating disease. Watch the video from the Champions of Change discussion with these leaders and learn about the great work that they do.
Hispanic Heritage Month
On Friday, September 16, the White House partnered with MTV Tr3s and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to sponsor the Agentes de Cambio /Agents of Change Latino Youth Roundtable. As part of our Champions of Change program, the youth chosen to be highlighted as Agentes de Cambio/Agents of Change were recognized for their outstanding leadership and service to the community. The Agentes engaged in a youth roundtable with senior Administration officials to share their perspective on issues affecting Latino youth today and to ask questions about how they can continue to be solution-oriented leaders in the Latino community.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide takes the lives of nearly 34,000 Americans every year. These Champions of Change are working to lower that statistic, to combat bullying in schools and sports, to provide resources for communities, and to educate individuals and groups across the country. It is going to take more than one voice to enact the changes necessary to prevent suicide, but these organizations have saved the lives of countless individuals through their programs and efforts.
Youth Entreprenuers
President Obama has outlined a vision of out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building the rest of the world and young entrepreneurs are helping to make that vision a reality. These Champions of Change are coming up with creative companies, hail from every corner of the country and work in diverse fields that are bringing services and products to market. They’re winning the future by starting businesses, creating jobs, wealth and opportunities for their communities.
Reducing Drug Use and Building a Healthier America
Illegal drug use costs the U.S. more than $193 billion per year and students who use drugs do poorly in school. These Champions of Change are exemplifying elements of the Administration’s 2011 National Drug Control Strategy, which continues to expand upon a balanced public health and public safety approach to drug control, emphasizing community-based drug prevention, integration of drug treatment into the mainstream healthcare system, innovations in the criminal justice system to break the cycle of drug use and crime, and international partnerships to disrupt transnational drug trafficking organizations.
Arts Education
President Obama believes that the arts and humanities should be part of the education of every child in America. The power of the arts and humanities to foster creativity in developing minds, to engage and motivate students in school and to prepare all children for productive futures is essential for the future of nation’s cultural and economic life. This is an extraordinary group of actors, teachers, principals, superintendents and organizations who are creating innovative programs across the country that are benefitting their local communities.
Rural Americans
In rural communities across the country, Americans are expanding economic development and strengthening the fabric of our nation. Rural Americans may not see themselves as champions, but they represent the kind of innovation and ingenuity that make the United States great. From farmers and ranchers to local educators and small business owners, these Champions of Change are helping the country confront the challenges of the 21st century by expanding broadband access, increasing exports in agricultural sectors, and exploring alternative energy options to help win the future.
Youth Greening Schools
The strength of America’s clean energy future depends on the dedication of our future leaders. All across the country young people are taking initiative in their schools and communities to teach others about the importance of environmental stewardship, energy conservation and reducing waste. This week’s series showcases young leaders that have committed themselves to making their schools and communities more sustainable. From teens teaching school-children about environmental issues, to primary school kids starting school gardens, these Champions of Change are inspiring the adults around them by greening their schools and communities.
Veterans
Our nation’s veterans offer us all an example of what it means to truly serve. Making extraordinary sacrifices, they have dedicated themselves to protecting our country, our freedoms, and our way of life. As we work to win the future, our veterans will be among our greatest assets. The men and women highlighted this week show us why: though they may have hung up their uniforms, they continue to work to improve their communities and build a better future for all of us.
Technology and Innovation
As the White House executes President Obama’s plan to “out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world,” Champions of Change honored 17 entrepreneurs who embody the President’s commitment to "innovate, educate, and build" through innovative work using technology in their community.
NASA Innovators
President Obama’s Strategy for American Innovation seeks to harness the ingenuity of the American people to ensure economic growth that is rapid, broad-based, and sustained. America’s economic growth and competitiveness depend on its people’s capacity to innovate. We can create the jobs and industries of the future by doing what America does best – investing in the creativity and imagination of our people. These Champions of Change work day in and day out to enable innovation, education, and new development that promotes economic growth and excellence in science and technology by taking advantage of the skills of the workforce, facilities, and infrastructure of the Florida Space Coast.
Fatherhood
President Obama has said that being a father to Malia and Sasha is the most important job he has. At the same time, growing up without a dad himself, the President understands firsthand the holes that fathers leave in their families when they are absent. Over the past two years, President Obama has joined with fathers around the country through the President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative to send a strong message about personal responsibility while supporting dads who want to be there for their kids. This Initiative has included support for local fatherhood programs, town halls around the nation, partnerships with outside organizations and a new www.fatherhood.gov website. In honor of Father’s Day, we honor these Champions of Change who recognize the importance of good fathers as role models in young children’s lives and have dedicated themselves to mentoring and supporting fathers across the country.
Service Innovators
Every day in communities across the country, ordinary individuals are doing extraordinary things to improve the lives of others and strengthen their communities. On the heels of the 2011 National Conference on Volunteering and Service held in New Orleans, Louisiana, this week’s series highlights fourteen individuals who are inspiring others to transform their communities through citizen leadership and social innovation. From saving birds to creating jobs, to building homes, to reclaiming communities and providing economic opportunities for all citizens, these Champions of Change are solving local problems and redefining civic participation for the 21st century.
Fighting AIDS
This month marks the 30th year of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. While much progress has been made, including the release of the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy by the President last year, more is needed and it will take all of us. As the President has said, “government cannot take on this disease alone.” These Champions of Change that met here at the White House are living examples of both the progress made and challenges we continue to face. This is an opportunity to recommit ourselves and to learn more about the inspiring work of these Champions of Change in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Immigrant Integration
President Obama is calling for a national conversation on immigration reform that builds a bipartisan consensus to fix our broken immigration system so it meets America’s 21st century economy and security needs. But he can’t do it alone. These Champions of Change work day in and day out to improve our immigration system through fostering programs that support immigrant integration.
Transportation
Investing in infrastructure is a central component of President Obama’s plan to secure America’s economic competitiveness in the 21st century. Champions of Change who contribute to the transportation sector from across the country came to the White House to discuss how to ensure that America has a first rate infrastructure to keep our economy moving.
Small Business
Small businesses create about two out of every three jobs in the U.S. each year, and roughly half of working Americans either own or work for a small business. That’s why this week we’re highlighting small business entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact on their communities. These Champions of Change are on the front lines of strengthening America’s economy while helping our country rise to the many challenges of the 21st century.
Educators
Investing in education is a key pillar in President Obama’s plan to secure America’s economic competitiveness in the 21st century. Educators from across the country came to the White House to discuss how to ensure every child receives a first-rate education. These Champions of Change are working day in and day out to prepare our students to be competitive in an increasingly global market.
Chefs & Let's Move
Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity and this week we’re highlighting chefs who have risen to the challenge. These Champions of Change are using their expertise as chefs to bring nutritious food and healthy habits into schools in their communities.
Parents on Education
America’s economic competitiveness depends on ensuring every child receives a first-rate education. Investing in educating is crucial to winning the jobs and industries of the future. That's why this week we’re highlighting parents who are making an impact in their community through their involvement in education. These Champions of Change are working tirelessly to provide safe, high-quality learning environments in classrooms across the country to help secure America’s competitiveness in the 21st century.
Clean Energy
Investing in American innovation and ingenuity is crucial to winning the jobs and industries of the future. That’s why this week we’re highlighting communities who have embraced innovative clean energy as an economic driver. These Champions of Change are already taking big steps to help create a secure energy future and reach the President’s goal of reducing the amount of imported oil by one-third in the coming years while creating jobs and growing the economy.
Peace Corps
Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, more than 200,000 volunteers have served in 139 host countries working on issues like education, health, information technology, and environmental preservation. A group of former Volunteers gathered at the White House to share their ideas on how encouraging service can help win the future.
