Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks to Narrate Obama Presidential Center Audio Tours

The Obama Presidential Center, set to open on June 19 in Chicago’s Jackson Park, has announced a star-studded lineup for its official audio tours. Iconic figures Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks will serve as narrators, lending their voices to guide visitors through the 19-acre campus and its various museum exhibits. The project, hosted on the Bloomberg Connects app, aims to blend historical storytelling with high-profile narration to create an immersive experience for the public.

Oprah Winfrey will lead the campus guide, providing context on the development of the site and its integration into the South Side community. This segment will also feature contributions from Barack and Michelle Obama, chef Cliff Rome, and NBA star Stephen Curry. Meanwhile, Tom Hanks will narrate the museum guide, walking visitors through the exhibits that chronicle the Obama family’s time in the White House and the defining moments of the former president’s political career. Additionally, voice actor Cree Summer will provide a specialized, family-friendly experience by voicing the Obamas' former dogs, Bo and Sunny, for younger guests.

This initiative highlights a growing trend in the cultural sector: leveraging celebrity partnerships to enhance accessibility and engagement within museum spaces. By utilizing the Bloomberg Connects platform—which already hosts guides for institutions like the Guggenheim and the Academy Museum—the Obama Foundation is positioning its center as a modern, tech-forward destination. The inclusion of diverse voices, including an audio-descriptive track narrated by former disability policy advisor Kareem Dale, underscores a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that the center’s narrative is accessible to a broad and diverse audience.