The Obamas, Brian Chesky announce new Voyager Scholarship recipients
Key Takeaways
- The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service supports students pursuing careers in public service with an academic scholarship, exposure to travel, and connections to a network of leaders
President and Mrs. Obama and Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO, announced their second cohort of Voyager Scholarship recipients, 100 college juniors who plan to pursue a career in public service. Following the success of the inaugural cohort, this new group of “Voyagers” are a testament to the Obama Foundation’s unwavering commitment to fostering emerging leaders dedicated to addressing global challenges and driving positive change in their communities and around the world.
Funded by a $100 million personal contribution from Chesky to the Obama Foundation, the Voyager Scholarship is a two-year program for students in their junior and senior years of college. Designed to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders and equip them with the tools and resources they need to launch their careers in public service, the Voyager Scholarship offers a transformational combination of barrier-reducing financial aid, an immersive work-travel experience, and access to a robust network of Obama Foundation leaders and mentors. This new cohort, composed of 100 individuals representing 33 states and territories and 75 colleges and universities, is ready to embark on their two-year journey with the Obama Foundation and Airbnb.
Learn more about the second cohort of Scholarship for Public Service Recipients here.
Michelle and I can’t wait to work with these talented young people over the next few years as they pursue careers in public service. Their dedication to public service and their determination to solve global challenges inspire hope for a brighter future. We know that this scholarship will not only change their lives, but the world. President Obama
I’m so excited to see the impact this next class of Voyagers will have on society,
said Chesky. These are some of the brightest young minds in the country and this scholarship will help unleash the potential we know exists in them.
While the inaugural cohort of Voyagers is still traveling on their Summer Voyages, spanning 63 countries and 23 states and territories, to tackle issues such as gender equity, the climate crisis, environmental sustainability, criminal justice reform, and access to health care, the incoming cohort of Voyagers will join them in the program. The two cohorts will have various opportunities to share insights and look forward to building connections.
The Obamas and Chesky believe that exposure to new places and experiences generates understanding, empathy, and cooperation, which equips young leaders to create meaningful change. As the second class of Voyagers embark on their two-year journey, the Obamas and Chesky remain steadfast in their commitment to providing them with the necessary support and resources to guide them in driving sustainable change. The combined efforts of both cohorts are poised to create a lasting impact that will extend far beyond the duration of the program.
For more information about the Voyager Scholarship visit obama.org/programs/voyager-scholarship/.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.
About Airbnb.org
Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.
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