(upbeat music) - Please join me in welcoming
president Barack Obama to Hyde Park Academy.
(students cheering)
- We've been working with principal Ross and the team
to organize what we're calling a "Future Series"
to bring folks who are doing all kinds
of different professions.
I think the big intention of the "Future Series" is
them being exposed to highly successful people
and being able to draw a line between
where their lives are at now
and where folks can end up if they stick with them.
- I'm John Rogers, I'm the founder of Aerial Investments.
We were the first African American owned
money management and mutual fund company in the country.
I think mentorship is really, really important
for people to see folks that look like themselves
involved and engaged in the investment world.
We have this wealth gap in this country,
I think financial education in public schools
is ultimately a big part of the answer.
- One thing that I would just caution you all to do
is push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Just be willing to explore.
Today we did a panel with the students at Hyde Park Academy
and talked about entrepreneurship.
- As a starting entrepreneur
I felt like this is destiny.
Three people of color, especially women,
coming in to teachers about entrepreneurship.
- I very much believe in the mantra
"You cannot be what you cannot see."
If we are inevitably here
to build the next generation of entrepreneurs,
may it be our responsibility to ensure
we're carrying them on our shoulders.
- We got a lot of challenges right now.
The solutions come from young people,
come from this generation.
In high school, I knew that I was meant to be
an example to show that it was possible.
- How was your transition from TPS
to working for the Chicago booth?
- It wasn't as hard as you think it would be.
There's like such beauty in the city
for me, what motivates me is like
how can I do something to make it a little bit better?
- My sister was an excellent student,
she was trying to get A's.
I was trying to get as good enough grades
so that my parents wouldn't take basketball away.
It feels really good to be back
on the south side of Chicago
to chat with some student athletes about
careers in athletics.
- To be successful you need to have
successful people around you.
So to meet successful people
and learn, get intel from them and continue on
I feel like that's very important.
- We care deeply about your success.
You gotta work hard,
you gotta be curious,
you gotta ask questions,
you can't be shy like me,
or if you are shy, you have to push yourself.
- I know that I get nervous sometimes
in front of really big groups,
I took that way like to be confident in myself
and just tell myself you got this.
- Hyde Park High School is right across the street
from the Obama Center.
I think part of being a good neighbor
and being a part of the community
is recognizing as adults we have a responsibility
to the young people in the neighborhood
- I was you.
I grew up in New York city
in a place called South Jamaica Queens
which is a lot like the south side of Chicago.
These young people are looking for me
to continue to clear the pathway
so that they can be what they want to be.
I looked at a black woman in news many years ago
with my mouth agape and thought,
"Wow, she's there!
"I could do this."
Whoever you are, wherever you come from,
that is a plus, that's a value.
No one else has your story.
- We came with a team of people
that are financial aid advisors and student services,
all people of color,
all who had gone on in post secondary education,
many, many who are Chicago's themselves
from the neighborhoods that our students are from
who are here to say, we care about you.
I believe this series
gives our students the opportunity
to dream the biggest dreams.
- Them coming in here and talking to us,
help me more about where I wanna go to college
and like what I wanna be in life four years from now.
- Understand who you are, know what your story is,
if you know that,
that will give you the power to guide your life.
That's the most important advice I've given.
I love you guys! (students cheering)
Appreciate you,
we'll see you soon.