Dr. Kenvi Phillips recently made history as the inaugural Director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library, the first fully digital presidential library in the United States.
Her appointment, which kicked off on June 16, 2024, sees Phillips overseeing all programs and activities at the library.
A New Era in Presidential Archives
The Barack Obama Presidential Library is unique within the network of 15 presidential libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)—it is entirely digital.
An estimated 95% of the records from the Obama administration were born digital, including photos, videos, emails, and other electronic documents—the 300 million emails are equivalent to over one billion pages.
The decision to create a fully digital archive was made in 2017 when the Obama Foundation chose not to construct a physical presidential library.
Instead, the foundation funded the digitization of records, ensuring that these materials could be accessed online, setting a new standard for future presidential libraries.
Meet Dr Kenvi Phillips
Dr. Phillips, a two-time Howard University graduate, brings over 20 years of experience in library and archival management. Before this role, she was the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Brown University Library.
She also held key positions at Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library and Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
“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,” Dr. Colleen Shogan, Archivist of the United States, said in a press release.
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, added: “Her strong experience in archives and collections will help make the digitized records a great asset that will be available to everyone, everywhere.”
Preserving the Obama administration’s legacy
In addition to the digital library, the Obama Presidential Museum is slated to open in 2026 on the South Side of Chicago.
This museum will showcase physical artifacts and provide an immersive experience for visitors, complementing the digital archive and further preserving the legacy of the Obama presidency.
As Dr. Phillips continues in her role, she is expected to lead efforts to enhance public engagement with presidential archives, ensuring that the Obama administration’s legacy remains accessible to future generations.
Image credit: Kenvi Phillips/ LinkedIn
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