June 15, 2026
(NEW YORK – June 15, 2026) — MS NOW will air “Hope Comes Home: Inside the Obama Presidential Center,” a primetime special featuring extensive sit-down interviews with former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19.
The two-hour program, hosted by MS NOW Senior Contributing Editor Michele Norris, will also feature in-depth access inside the Barack Obama Presidential Center just as it opens to the public, taking viewers on a room-by-room journey throughout the center
On Thursday, June 18, MS NOW will provide live coverage from Chicago throughout the Obama Presidential Center’s opening day, with special broadcasts, on-the-ground reporting, and coverage of the day’s events beginning at 6 a.m. ET.
PRIMETIME SPECIAL “HOPE COMES HOME” TAKES VIEWERS INSIDE THE HISTORIC OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
On Friday, June 19, MS NOW will air “Hope Comes Home: Inside the Obama Presidential Center,” a new two-hour primetime special hosted by Michele Norris. The special will air at 9 p.m. ET on MS NOW.
The special will feature a rare sit-down interview with former President Barack Obama, an exclusive conversation with former First Lady Michelle Obama, and a walk-and-talk tour of the center with Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, offering viewers an unprecedented look inside the historic institution.
“Hope Comes Home” will also feature conversations with former Chief White House Photographer Pete Souza, Director of the Museum of the Obama Presidential Center Dr. Louise Bernard, and other key figures who helped envision, design, and bring the center to life.
Throughout the special, viewers will experience the center’s exhibits, architecture, and mission while hearing directly from former President Obama and former First Lady Obama about the inspiration behind the project and its significance for future generations.
Ahead of the special, ms.now will feature a written piece from Norris on her conversation with the former president, the debut of the center, and the story the organization aims to tell America and the world.
“Hope Comes Home” is produced by Raelyn Johnson, Jesse Rodriguez, Robin Sherman, Laura Conway, Kelsey Desiderio, Jared Blake, and Miguel Susana.
MS NOW TO DELIVER SPECIAL LIVE COVERAGE FROM CHICAGO OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER GRAND OPENING
On Thursday, June 18, MS NOW will present special live coverage of the Barack Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening Ceremony, including the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Coverage throughout the day will feature live editions of On the Line with Alicia Menendez, The Weeknight, and The Briefing with Jen Psaki, with interviews and analysis from Obama administration alumni, longtime advisors, and other special guests, including former Attorney General Eric Holder and more.
MS NOW Senior Political and National Reporter and anchor Jacob Soboroff and MS NOW Reporter Nnamdi Egwuonwu will report live from the center, speaking with attendees and visitors throughout the day.
In addition, PoliticsNation anchor Rev. Al Sharpton, The Weekend co-anchor Jonathan Capehart, and MS NOW Political Analyst Claire McCaskill will contribute coverage and analysis from Chicago as the network follows the historic opening and its impact.
ms.now will feature a live blog covering the latest happenings on the ground in Chicago. The event will also stream on MS NOW’s YouTube channel.
In addition, MS NOW’s Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels will highlight the center’s grand opening on their podcast, “Clock It with Symone & Eugene,” out Thursday morning.
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Press Contact:
Olivia Sieff
