Holding the Line: An Inspiring Conversation with President Barack Obama

This September, our founder Gary Lubner and the This Day Foundation team were honoured to host an intimate roundtable discussion with President Barack Obama in London.

The event brought together a small group of influential figures from business, charity, culture, and sport to explore themes of leadership, resilience, and how we can each play a role in building stronger, fairer communities.

President Obama spoke powerfully about the importance of “holding the line” – staying true to our values and choosing our better instincts, even when the world feels uncertain.

His words reflect the very heart of This Day’s purpose: creating spaces for people to connect, reflect, and take meaningful action. Like President Obama, we believe that progress begins when individuals stand firm in their principles and work together to create lasting change.

This commitment sits at the core of our mission – to build a fairer future for the next generation by ensuring every young person has access to the opportunities and support they need to live, grow, and thrive.

All guests contributed to an excellent and engaging discussion, bringing thoughtful perspectives, filling the room with energy, sincerity, and a shared optimism for the future.

As we continue to expand our work building strong communities and youth leadership across the UK and South Africa, the conversation served as a timely reminder of the transformative power of open, principled engagement.

The This Day Foundation expresses gratitude to President Obama and The Obama Foundation for their ongoing partnership, and to all contributors for their insights and commitment to positive change.