Jamila Parham-Cullers Announced as 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Leader
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2025
Jamila Parham-Cullers, Founder & CEO of The Tech Unicorn, Announced as 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Leader
Chicago, IL — Jamila Parham-Cullers today announced her acceptance to The Obama Foundation’s Leaders program, joining more than 200 global changemakers for the 2025-2026 class. Following a competitive selection process, Jamila will be one of just 100 Leaders participating in the Leaders United States program, where they will receive training in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Jamila Parham-Cullers, also known as the “Chief Unicorn,” is the Founder and CEO of The Tech Unicorn, which she founded in 2016 to create pathways in STEM for underrepresented and undervalued communities. Since its founding, The Tech Unicorn has impacted more than 10,000 students through hands-on programs, mentoring, and community partnerships that spark curiosity, build confidence, and prepare young people for careers in technology. An award-winning technologist and advocate, Jamila combines her expertise in technology leadership with her passion for equity to create innovative programs that inspire the next generation of diverse STEM leaders.
As part of the six-month program, these changemakers will convene virtually each week for sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. They will also have an opportunity to participate in virtual experiences and special events, including conversations with experienced mentors in the Foundation's global network.
Now in its third year, The Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program is guided by the leadership values of President and Mrs. Obama. The program draws on the Foundation’s Hope to Action curriculum to support Leaders in embracing diverse perspectives, harnessing collective power, and driving tangible progress toward a more just and sustainable world. The Leaders USA Program has a particular focus on strengthening democratic culture, and the more than 100 Leaders are working across a broad range of focus areas, including democracy and civic engagement, public health, climate and environmental sustainability, and arts and culture.
The Obama Foundation Leaders program is designed to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States to change their respective communities and the world. To learn more, visit obama.org/leaders.
To learn more about The Tech Unicorn, visit https://www.thetechunicorn.co/