Obama Foundation Africa Leader Arlette Irankunda asked President Obama how to carry the weight of leadership without burning out. His answer: Take care of your body. Make time for community. Take the long view.

Who doesn’t love pesto? (But definitely share your take on radishes in the comments…)  Recently, Mrs. Obama connected with several young gardeners who have participated in our partnership with @AftrSchoolMttrs, and they showcased the produce they’ve helped grow and learned about in the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden.

The work to protect our communities starts with protecting the ecosystems around us. Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader Paul Alex Awo is restoring a damaged reef in Maunalua Bay, Hawaiʻi. This International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we’re highlighting the importance of protecting the natural systems we depend on.

Before @BarackObama became President, Dr. Timuel Black helped show him what it meant to organize, serve, and lead on Chicago’s South Side. Five years after his passing, we remember the historian, Civil Rights leader, and mentor who believed in opening doors for the next generation.

A little encouragement for your feed from one of our Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) girls, Caytlen from Ladies of Virtue, just in time for World Mental Health Day.

For Banned Books Week, we’re sharing five titles from President Obama’s Reading Room collection that have faced bans or challenges. Swipe through, and tell us: Which have you read? Censorship, public trust and access to books and ideas will be explored at Ideas Unbound, our Forum Talk on October 20. go.obama.org/wtvcbu

It’s always a blast to be in the garden at the Obama Presidential Center! This week, @MichelleObama met up with a group of Chicago students from After School Matters with Urban Growers Collective and Cliff Rome to talk about gardening, sustainability, and food preservation. Take a look!

Mike Ditka’s 1985 Bears forever changed the laws of football, thrilled all of us who live in Chicago and riveted the country.  That’s the legacy we’re reflecting on today. The jersey “Da Coach” gave President Obama is on display on Level 4 of the Obama Presidential Center Museum, and as President Obama said when honoring the ‘85 Bears at the White House:  “They were, of course, led by the coach who set the tone -- Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. In training camp, he said, ‘Put a chip on your shoulder in July and keep it there till January.’ Some of you may remember that back in 2004, when I was running for the Senate, some people were trying to draft Ditka to run against me. I will admit I was a little worried because he doesn’t lose. Coach, I’m glad you didn’t run, because I have to say I probably would have been terrible on ESPN.”

Five MVPs. And a hometown shout-out from President Obama. Congratulations to A’ja Wilson on making history as the WNBA’s first five-time MVP. We’re proud of you, too.

There’s nothing like a fall evening at the Obama Presidential Center.

Come inside the first Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) Chicago Network Convening at the Obama Presidential Center. The Arrival is the first episode of our new four-part series taking you behind the scenes and introducing you to the remarkable leaders expanding opportunities for girls across Chicago. This is where the story begins.

It’s a 10-peat! Now the world knows, again, what every Chicagoan lives daily: Chicago is the Best Big City in America! Today @CNTraveler’s 39th Annual Reader’s Choice Awards named Chicago America’s Best Big City for the tenth year in a row. We are proud to add to the richness that makes this city second to none.

On this World Architecture Day, we celebrate the form and function of this great third space here on Chicago’s South Side. We have loved seeing how visitors from across the country, down the street and all over the world bring these beautiful spaces to life.

On this World Architecture Day, take a minute to take in our campus: not a collection of standalone buildings, but a place where design, nature and community life are inseparable.

Now that October is here, we are looking to the Obama White House for some costume inspo!

No one gives #couplegoals like these two, and after 34 years, they’ve still got it. Happy Anniversary to President and Mrs. Obama!

Fall calls for a little more time around the table. Starting October 5, Tafari’s Kitchen is open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays. More time for good food. More time together.