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ASU Public Allies invited by Michelle Obama
Published February 13, 2019 - Arizona Republic | Samantha Incorvaia
To say Comerica Theatre was crowded on Tuesday, Feb. 12, is an understatement.
Security divided the sea of people into nine lines from one that ended near the parking garage on Adams Street and Fourth Avenue to see former first lady Michelle Obama during a sold-out book-tour stop in Phoenix supporting her autobiography "Becoming."
The show started about 15 minutes late, but there was a nice montage of photos from Obama's time in the White House playing on the stage's big screens to keep attendees engaged.
Five local women began the night with small, inspiring introductions that kicked off a video of what celebrities, like Wanda Sykes and Jimmy Fallon, children and adults were "becoming" followed by a biographical video about the guest of honor.
Former President Barack Obama's senior adviser Valerie B. Jarrett brought a warm, personable perspective to the conversation as a moderator in this almost-90-minute show sprinkled with strong applause and laughter.
Eight members of Arizona State University's Public Allies program and program director Terry Marks were invited by Obama, who was the founding executive director of Public Allies Chicago in 1993.
"When you talk about the core values of public allies that includes diversity and inclusion ... we see that Mrs. Obama embodies that day in and day out for how she carries herself, how she conducts herself and how she inspires others to do and be the best that they can be," Marks said.
In "Becoming," Obama mentioned her time with Public Allies, writing, "For the first time in my life, really, I felt I was doing something immediately meaningful, directly impacting the lives of others while also staying connected to both my city and my culture.”
Public Allies Arizona, run by ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, is a 10-month AmeriCorps program which places emerging young leaders at local nonprofit organizations.
Samira Amin, an Ally at the Mesa Arts Center Foundation, called her mom immediately after she discovered her name was drawn from the pool of Allies. And that excitement never left her.
"She's doing what Public Allies do, which is to take the lead and get things done and creating a just and equitable society. And to know that she came from a program that someone smaller like me is in, it's just so inspirational."
Sean Mayer, an Ally with the Homeless ID Project, said Obama is one of those electric people who is very educated and personable, something you can't teach.
"Michelle is an example of integrity and learning how to fail properly," he said. "That's what Public Allies is all about, even if you mess up it gets you one step closer to your goal."
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