A Trailblazer in the Digital Age
Dr. Kenvi Phillips has made history as the director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library, the first-of-its-kind fully digital presidential library in the United States. Phillips, a two-time graduate of Howard University, brings over two decades of experience in library and archival management to this groundbreaking role.
Previously serving as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Brown University Library, Phillips has also dedicated her time and leadership to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at her alma mater, which houses the largest collection of resources and documents on the global Black diaspora.
Shaping the Future of Presidential Libraries
With the Obama Foundation’s decision not to construct a physical building to host the traditional presidential library, Phillips now oversees the virtual management of the library’s records, 95% of which have already been digitized. This innovative project represents a new era in how the public can access and engage with the stories and decisions that have shaped the nation.
“As the Director of the first digital presidential library in our system, Kenvi will help shape a new course for how we think about access to, and engagement with, the stories and decisions that helped shape our nation,” said Colleen Shogan, Archivist of the United States, in a press release.
Honoring the Obama Legacy
The Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett emphasized Phillips’ extensive experience in archives and collections, which will be crucial in making the digitized records a valuable resource for historians, researchers, educators, and students alike.
“Her strong experience in archives and collections will help make the digitized records a great asset that will be available to everyone, everywhere, including historians, researchers, educators, and students,” explained Jarrett.
The virtual Obama Presidential Library will complement the physical Obama Presidential Museum, which is set to open on the South Side of Chicago in Spring 2026, allowing the public to engage with the former president’s legacy through both digital and tangible means.
A Beacon of Representation and Expertise
As a Black woman leading this historic initiative, Phillips’ appointment is a testament to her proficiency and a symbol of representation in the field of presidential archives and public history. Her leadership will be instrumental in promoting the Obama legacy through these innovative digital collections.
“I am excited Dr. Phillips is joining the National Archives as the Director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library,” said Shogan. “With her extensive experience in libraries and archives and her passion for public history, she will be an excellent steward for our archival and artifact collections and public engagement work.”
