Michelle Obama Returning to Chicago to Speak Out Against Youth Violence
Michelle Obama is reportedly gearing up to visit her hometown of Chicago, Ill., to speak out against a recent surge of violence among youth.
Mrs. Obama, the First Lady of the U.S., will reportedly bring together Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Allstate Corporation President Thomas J. Wilson and Loop Capital CEO James Reynolds, Jr., for lunch at The Hilton Chicago next month.
"First Lady Michelle Obama will return to her hometown to address local business and community leaders about providing more opportunities for young people to achieve their full potential," said a statement from The White House featured on ABC News.
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The office of Chicago's mayor also released a statement about Mrs. Obama's visit, which is scheduled to take place on April 10.
"The greatest thing we can do as a city is give our children the support they need to build a successful life," Emanuel said in an ABC News report. "We are honored to have the First Lady's support in this effort. I will work tirelessly to provide safe alternatives that reduce the risk of our kids getting involved with drugs, gangs, and violence."
The First Lady has shown her support for Chicago while the city has dealt with youth violence, including reaching out to the family of slain teenager Hadiya Pendleton. Pendleton was a 15-year-old from Chicago, Ill. who was murdered weeks after performing at the Inauguration of President Obama with her high school drill team.
Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, Hadiya's mother, said she and her son Nathaniel were invited to attend the White House event on April 1 for the annual Easter celebration, according to The Chicago Sun-Times. Mrs. Obama attended the 15-year-old girl's funeral last month while the President mentioned the teenager's murder in his State of the Union address last month.
Kristina Schake, communications director for Michelle Obama, made a statement about the First Lady's attendance in The Chicago Tribune.
"As a mother and Chicagoan, the First Lady was heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of Hadiya Pendleton due to senseless gun violence," Schake said last month in The Sun-Times. "Too many times, we've seen young people struck down with so much of their lives ahead of them. The First Lady is traveling to her funeral on Saturday to offer her condolences and support to Hadiya's family and loved ones."
