SXSW has announced an exciting addition to its 2025 lineup: Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, will take the stage for a Featured Session on Thursday, March 13, at 1 PM CT.
An Inspirational Presence at SXSW
“Michelle Obama has long been an inspiration to us at SXSW and to millions of people around the world,” said Hugh Forrest, SXSW President and Chief Programming Officer. “Her belief that we lift each other up by sharing our stories with one another is a core part of the SXSW experience and a key catalyst in helping creative people achieve their goals. It is the ultimate honor and an incredible thrill to welcome Michelle and her brother, Craig Robinson, to the 2025 event.”
Michelle Obama’s storytelling impact is unparalleled, with her memoir Becoming spending over 130 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list and selling more than 17 million copies worldwide. Her media company, Higher Ground, co-founded with former President Barack Obama, produced American Factory, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2020. Additionally, The Michelle Obama Podcast became Spotify’s most successful original upon its release, drawing a large audience, particularly women over 40. Beyond media, her commitment to global empowerment is evident in her work with the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance and her role as Co-Founder of PLEZi Nutrition, an initiative promoting children’s health.
Attendees can expect an engaging discussion that explores the intersection of leadership, storytelling, and social impact. Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s presence at SXSW 2025 underscores the festival’s mission to bring forward voices that inspire and empower.
The conference has also announced a few more last-minute speakers to the 2025 SXSW Festival, including Severance creator Ben Stiller, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, and activist/Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello.
For more information and to secure your spot at SXSW 2025, visit SXSW.com.