Former President Barack Obama Surprises Chicago Students During The Holidays

Former President Barack Obama reads to kids from Burke Elementary at the Bessie Coleman Chicago Public Library branch in the Woodlawn neighborhood, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo: E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune pool)

Former President Barack Obama took a moment to bring holiday cheer to some Chicago South Side students with a surprise visit. What was an ordinary afternoon at the library turned into a memory for those students, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

A group of two dozen Burke Elementary School students were doing a story time and coloring activity at the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library in Woodlawn when Former President Obama arrived, wearing a red Santa hat. As the children sat on the floor, Obama read to them “Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight” by Karyn Parsons. which chronicles the story of the first African American female pilot.

The former president also talked to the children about what they want to be when they grow up. And after the moment all of the students got a free book, a winter hat, and gloves to take home.